POV: point of view

mistersato411
3 Jul 201409:31
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis script explores the concept of narrative point-of-view (POV), distinguishing between first-person and third-person narration. It explains the reliability of narrators, variations like alternating first-person and the omniscient, limited, and objective third-person perspectives. The script also touches on the rarely used second-person POV and emphasizes the importance of consistent POV in storytelling. It concludes by highlighting the practical application of understanding POV in critical thinking for real-life scenarios.

Takeaways
  • 📚 Narrative Point-of-View (POV) is the perspective from which a story is told, determining who is narrating.
  • 👤 First-person POV involves a character narrating the story using 'I', providing insight into their personality.
  • 👁️ Reliable first-person narrators provide an account that is believed to be true and undistorted.
  • 🤔 Unreliable first-person narrators may distort the truth due to immaturity, intellectual limitations, or dishonesty.
  • 🎭 Alternating first-person narration offers multiple perspectives by switching between characters' viewpoints.
  • 🕵️‍♂️ Third-person POV uses a narrator outside the story, often referred to as 'he', 'she', or 'they'.
  • 👼 Omniscient third-person narrators have complete knowledge of all characters' thoughts and actions.
  • 🔍 Limited third-person narrators only know what the main character knows, preserving surprises and mysteries.
  • 📹 Objective third-person POV describes events without revealing characters' thoughts or motivations, leaving interpretation to the reader.
  • 👶 The rarely used second-person POV addresses the reader directly as 'you', making them the main character.
  • 🔗 Consistency in POV is crucial in writing; skilled writers may intentionally switch POV for specific effects.
  • 🧠 Understanding POV is a critical thinking skill applicable in real life, helping to discern motives and biases in narratives.
Q & A

  • What is Narrative Point-of-View (POV)?

    -Narrative Point-of-View, or POV, is the perspective from which a story is told, essentially determining who is narrating the story.

  • What are the two basic kinds of POV mentioned in the script?

    -The two basic kinds of POV are first-person and third-person.

  • How does first-person narration differ from third-person narration?

    -First-person narration is when a character within the story is narrating, using pronouns like 'I'. Third-person narration is when the narrator is an external voice, not a character in the story, and refers to characters in the third person, using pronouns like 'he', 'she', or 'they'.

  • What are the advantages of using first-person POV?

    -First-person POV closely resembles the way stories are told in everyday life and provides a strong sense of the narrating character's personality, aiding in character development.

  • What is a reliable first-person narrator?

    -A reliable first-person narrator is one who tells the story in a way that is believed to be true and undistorted, similar to how events would be perceived by the reader.

  • Can you give an example of an unreliable first-person narrator?

    -An example of an unreliable first-person narrator is Charlie from 'Flowers for Algernon', who describes people he thinks are his friends, but the reader can see they are making fun of him.

  • What is the difference between an omniscient and a limited third-person narrator?

    -An omniscient third-person narrator knows everything about the story, including characters' thoughts and future events. A limited third-person narrator only knows what the main character knows and does not have access to other characters' thoughts or the future.

  • What is the objective third-person POV?

    -The objective third-person POV is when the narrator describes events without revealing any character's thoughts or feelings, similar to a video camera recording events without commentary.

  • Why is the second-person POV rarely used and considered difficult to execute well?

    -The second-person POV, where 'you' are the main character, is rarely used because it can be distracting for the reader, who may not relate to or accept the narrative as their own experience.

  • What is the importance of maintaining consistency in POV when writing a story?

    -Maintaining consistency in POV is crucial as it helps the reader to follow the story without confusion. Drifting from one POV to another can lead to a disjointed narrative and a less immersive experience.

  • How does understanding narrative POV relate to critical thinking skills in real life?

    -Understanding narrative POV helps in evaluating the reliability and perspective of information sources in real life, such as advertisements, politicians, or personal accounts, by considering who is providing the information and their possible motives.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Introduction to Narrative Point-of-View

This paragraph introduces the concept of narrative point-of-view (POV), explaining it as the perspective from which a story is told. It distinguishes between two primary types of POV: first-person and third-person, with variations within each. The first-person POV is characterized by a story character narrating events using 'I', providing a close connection to the character's personality. The paragraph also discusses the reliability of first-person narrators, contrasting reliable narrators who present an undistorted view of events with unreliable ones who may be immature, intellectually undeveloped, or intentionally deceitful, as illustrated with examples from 'Great Expectations' and 'The Tell-Tale Heart'. Additionally, it touches on the technique of alternating first-person narration to offer multiple perspectives.

05:00
👁‍🗨 Deep Dive into Third-Person POV and Second-Person POV

The second paragraph delves into the third-person POV, traditionally the most common, where the narrator is external to the story. It outlines three subtypes: omniscient, which provides a comprehensive knowledge of all characters and events; limited, which only reveals what the main character is aware of; and objective, which reports events without insight into characters' thoughts or feelings. Examples are given, such as 'The Sniper' for limited POV and Ernest Hemingway's 'Hills Like White Elephants' for objective POV. The paragraph also addresses the rarity and challenges of the second-person POV, where 'you' are the main character, as seen in 'Bright Lights, Big City'. It concludes with advice on maintaining consistency in POV when writing and the importance of understanding POV for critical thinking in real-life scenarios, such as evaluating advertisements or political rhetoric.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Point-of-View (POV)
Point-of-View (POV) refers to the perspective from which a story is narrated. It is central to the video's theme as it defines how the audience perceives the events and characters within the narrative. The script discusses different types of POVs, such as first-person and third-person, and their variations, illustrating how each affects storytelling and the audience's understanding of the story.
💡First-Person Narration
First-Person Narration is a storytelling technique where the narrator is a character within the story, using pronouns like 'I' and 'me'. It is integral to the video's message, as it provides a direct and personal perspective, allowing the audience to closely connect with the character's experiences and thoughts. The script uses examples like 'I did this' to illustrate first-person narration.
💡Reliable Narrator
A Reliable Narrator is one who presents the story in a manner that is assumed to be truthful and undistorted. This concept is key to the video's exploration of narrative perspectives, as it discusses how the audience's trust in the narrator influences their perception of events. The script cites 'Pip in Great Expectations' as an example of a reliable first-person narrator.
💡Unreliable Narrator
An Unreliable Narrator is one who cannot be trusted to provide an accurate account of the story. This concept is crucial to the video's theme, as it highlights the potential for deception or misinterpretation in storytelling. The script uses 'Charlie in Flowers for Algernon' and 'The Tell-Tale Heart' to exemplify unreliable narration.
💡Alternating Narration
Alternating Narration is a technique where different characters take turns narrating the story, often switching between chapters. This concept is highlighted in the video as a method to offer multiple perspectives and enrich the narrative. The script mentions 'Ally Condie's Reached' as an example of a book using alternating first-person narration.
💡Third-Person Narration
Third-Person Narration is a storytelling approach where the narrator is an external voice, not a character in the story, and uses pronouns like 'he', 'she', or 'they'. It is a fundamental concept in the video, which explains how this POV can provide a broader view of the story and characters. The script contrasts this with first-person narration to illustrate different narrative techniques.
💡Omniscient Narrator
An Omniscient Narrator is a type of third-person narrator who has complete knowledge of all characters, settings, and events within the story. This concept is essential to the video's discussion of narrative authority and scope, as it demonstrates the narrator's ability to provide comprehensive insights into the story. The script uses the metaphor of 'an all-knowing God' to describe this POV.
💡Limited Third-Person POV
Limited Third-Person POV is a narrative perspective where the narrator has access only to the thoughts and knowledge of a single character, rather than all characters. This concept is important in the video's exploration of narrative depth and suspense, as it explains how this POV can create mystery and limit the audience's knowledge to what the main character knows, as illustrated in the script's reference to 'The Sniper' by Liam O'Flaherty.
💡Objective POV
Objective POV is a third-person narrative style where the narrator describes events without revealing any character's thoughts or feelings, similar to a video camera recording events. This concept is highlighted in the video as a method to encourage reader engagement and interpretation. The script cites 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway as an example of objective narration.
💡Second-Person POV
Second-Person POV is a rare narrative perspective where the story is told using 'you' as the pronoun, directly addressing the reader as the main character. This concept is briefly discussed in the video as a challenging and immersive storytelling technique. The script mentions 'Bright Lights, Big City' by Jay McInerney as an example, noting the potential for reader distraction.
💡Consistency in POV
Consistency in POV refers to maintaining a single narrative perspective throughout a story, which is important for coherence and clarity. This concept is emphasized in the video as a common mistake to avoid in writing, as it helps the audience follow the narrative without confusion. The script advises maintaining a consistent POV to effectively convey the story.
💡Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking is the ability to analyze and evaluate information, which the video connects to understanding narrative POVs. This concept is crucial as it extends the discussion beyond literature, suggesting that the skill of discerning perspectives is valuable in real-life situations, such as evaluating advertisements or political speeches. The script encourages viewers to apply their understanding of POV to real-world narratives.
Highlights

Narrative point-of-view (POV) is the perspective from which the story is told.

There are two basic kinds of POV: first-person and third-person, with variations within each.

First-person narration involves a character narrating the story using 'I'.

First-person POV resembles everyday storytelling and provides insight into the narrator's personality.

A first-person narrator can be reliable, presenting events as they are, or unreliable, distorting the truth.

Examples of reliable and unreliable narrators are given, such as Pip from 'Great Expectations' and Charlie from 'Flowers for Algernon'.

Unreliable narrators may lie or be unable to provide the full picture, as in 'The Tell-Tale Heart'.

Alternating first-person narration can offer multiple perspectives on the story.

The narrator in first-person POV is usually the main character or an important witness.

Third-person POV has the narrator as an external voice, using 'he', 'she', or 'they'.

Omniscient third-person POV allows the narrator to know everything about the story and characters.

Limited third-person POV restricts the narrator's knowledge to what the main character knows.

Objective third-person POV describes events without insight into characters' thoughts or feelings.

Second-person POV is rarely used and can be disorienting, as the reader becomes the main character.

Understanding POV is crucial for critical thinking, helping to analyze narratives in literature and real life.

Consistency in POV is important in writing, and switching POV should be done intentionally for effect.

When studying narratives, consider the narrator's perspective and the advantages and limitations it presents.

Transcripts

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Narrative POVStorytellingFirst-PersonThird-PersonReliable NarratorUnreliable NarratorOmniscientLimitedObjectiveSecond-PersonLiterary Analysis