Distinguish characters’ points of view
key notes:
A point of view is a way of seeing or thinking about something. People with different points of view may describe the same topic very differently.
For example, two authors may have different information about a topic, or they may not agree on what is important. So, they might include different facts or details.
Or, two narrators may have different feelings or opinions about a topic. So, they might change how the reader sees the characters, settings, or events.
Learn with an example
🐵The following texts both describe a family fishing trip.
🐵This text is told from the point of view of Maggie, a girl who just returned from the fishing trip:
I took a deep breath of fresh mountain air and smiled. I had been looking forward to this trip all year. The sun, the breeze and the cool water always make me feel calm and happy. I was excited about dinner, too. Fish tastes better when you catch it yourself.
🐵This text is told from the point of view of Pip, a boy who was also on the fishing trip:
I’d never tell my cousins, but I hate our yearly fishing trip. The fishing spot has no shade and nowhere to sit. I always come home with a sunburn, bug bites and wet socks. I’d rather just get my fish at the supermarket.
🐵How is Pip’s point of view different from Maggie’s?
- Pip makes the trip sound hard and uncomfortable.
- Pip makes the trip sound busy and exciting.
Maggie makes the trip sound peaceful and enjoyable.
I took a deep breath of fresh mountain air and smiled. I had been looking forward to this trip all year. The sun, the breeze and the cool water always make me feel calm and happy. I was excited about dinner, too. Fish tastes better when you catch it yourself.
Pip’s point of view is different. This text makes the trip sound hard and uncomfortable.
I’d never tell my cousins, but I hate our yearly fishing trip. The fishing spot has no shade and nowhere to sit. I always come home with a sunburn, bug bites and wet socks. I’d rather just get my fish at the supermarket.
🐵The following texts are both about flying in a plane.
🐵This text is from the point of view of Katie, a passenger on a plane:
🐵I looked out the window back at the safe ground. Why was I doing this? I hate flying! I made sure my seatbelt was pulled tight. My shaking fingers closed around the armrest as I waited for takeoff.
🐵This text is from the point of view of Captain Mitchell, a pilot:
I took my seat in the front of the plane. The weather was perfect, and I couldn’t wait to take off into the bright blue sky. When the engine roared to life, my heart started beating faster. It was time for another adventure!
🐵How is Captain Mitchell’s point of view different from Katie’s?
- Captain Mitchell makes plane rides seem uncomfortable.
- Captain Mitchell makes flying in a plane sound exciting.
Katie makes flying in a plane sound scary.
I looked out the window back at the safe ground. Why was I doing this? I hate flying! I made sure my seatbelt was pulled tight. My shaking fingers closed around the armrest as I waited for takeoff.
Captain Mitchell’s point of view is different. This text makes flying in a plane sound exciting.
I took my seat in the front of the plane. The weather was perfect, and I couldn’t wait to take off into the bright blue sky. When the engine roared to life, my heart started beating faster. It was time for another adventure!
🐵The following texts are both about a dance show.
🐵This text is told from the point of view of Matilda, who is watching the dancers:
The dancer’s steps were lighter than a cat’s as he crossed the stage. He seemed to float at the top of each jump. Then he spun like a top. He had a calm smile on his face during the whole dance.
🐵This text is told from the point of view of Jack, who is dancing:
With all the strength I could gather, I jumped across the stage. I stretched like a starfish to make my jumps higher. My legs were aching, but I wasn’t done yet. I reminded myself to smile and put all my power into one last spin.
🐵How is Jack’s point of view different from Matilda’s?
- Jack describes the dancing as slow and full of feeling.
- Jack describes the dancing as tiring and taking a lot of strength.
Matilda makes the dancing sound easy.
The dancer’s steps were lighter than a cat’s as he crossed the stage. He seemed to float at the top of each jump. Then he spun like a top. He had a calm smile on his face during the whole dance.
Jack’s point of view is different. This text describes the dancing as tiring and taking a lot of strength.
With all the strength I could gather, I jumped across the stage. I stretched like a starfish to make my jumps higher. My legs were aching, but I wasn’t done yet. I reminded myself to smile and put all my power into one last spin.
let’s practice!
The following texts both describe the first day of a fair.
This text is told from the point of view of Elliot, a kid at a fair:
While my parents approached the ticket booth, I stared up at the tall, sparkling gates. Faint music drifted in on the soft breeze, now and then interrupted by happy screams. The first day of the fair was here! My mouth began to water as soon as the buttery smell of popcorn reached me.
This text is told from the point of view of Wanda, who works at the fair:
I dragged myself into the break room and sank down on the lumpy couch. I took a few minutes to rest. It was only the first day of the fair, but I already missed my old job at the library. It’s not easy to look happy and be cheerful for hours at a time.