Point of View
Point of view is the perspective from which a story is told, such as first person or third person.
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Point of view is the perspective from which a story is told, such as first person or third person.
- First person uses I
- Third person uses he, she or they
- An omniscient narrator knows everything
🧠 Quick quiz
Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is Point of View?
Within English, which covers grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, poetry, drama and the skills for clear communication, this topic explains Point of View. English topics help you read closely and write with purpose, so each one here explains a skill and shows how it works in a model text.
Check that you can explain Point of View in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding Point of View helps you read texts more closely and write with more control, which earns marks in both reading and writing papers.
Point of View in detail
Point of view is the perspective from which a story is told. First person uses "I", giving a personal, limited and sometimes unreliable view. Second person addresses "you" and is rare in fiction. Third person uses "he", "she" and "they", and may be omniscient (knowing everyone's thoughts) or limited (following one character).
The choice affects how much the reader knows and how they feel about characters. An unreliable narrator makes readers question what is true. Changing the point of view of a scene can change its impact and meaning. When analysing, ask who is telling the story and what they might be leaving out.
How the interactive helps you understand Point of View
Click a card to flip it and reveal the answer, then move on to the next one.
Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Point of View.
Real-life uses and examples
- Support a point about Point of View with a short, accurate quotation.
- Plan an essay paragraph by linking the technique to the reader’s response.
- Spot Point of View when you read a poem, story or speech, then explain the effect it creates.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Naming a technique without explaining its effect on the reader.
- Quoting a long passage instead of picking a short, precise phrase.
- Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.
Frequently asked questions about Point of View
What is Point of View?
Point of view is the perspective from which a story is told, such as first person or third person.
What are the most important points about Point of View?
The main points are: First person uses I; Third person uses he, she or they; An omniscient narrator knows everything.
Why is Point of View useful?
Understanding Point of View helps you read texts more closely and write with more control, which earns marks in both reading and writing papers.
How can I practise Point of View?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to Point of View?
Related topics in English include Skimming and Scanning, Fact and Opinion, Fiction: Elements of a Story.