The Right Point of View
Helping students identify and apply point of view in reading and writing.
By Dawn Dodson
For some of my sixth grade students, point of view can be tricky to identify and define. In isolation, students understand the difference between each point of view and can quickly recite the definition to each. However, my students tend to struggle with identifying the point of view in their reading and writing assignments.
Because it is a difficult concept for students to understand, I give students many opportunities to practice identification strategies so that they can learn to effectively identify the different points of view in both writing and reading activities, and assessments. Then, I divide the viewpoints into categories with related clues, and allow students to practice searching and finding clues. After discussion and review, they should be able to use each point of view in their writing. The following are lesson ideas to help you introduce your students to the concept of point of view.
That Point of View
As an introduction to teaching the various points of view (first, second, third person, third person limited, and omniscient), I give students a chart that includes the definition and pronoun clues associated with each viewpoint. We discuss how pronouns can be a clue to who is telling the story (for example, the pronouns “he” and “she” can be clues that a narrator is telling the story, which may mean third person point of view). We also look at class examples that demonstrate how pronoun clues may or may not lead us directly to identify the point of view (i.e., searching for pronouns doesn't always do the trick/students have to read the story), and we take a look at how dialogue can be used to identify the person telling the story. As a companion assignment, I assign a worksheet with excerpts from multiple stories that are told from different points of view. Students identify the point of view for each excerpt, and underline the clues that support their answers. This is an effective way for students to practice in a controlled environment, before we begin reading class novels.
Sharing Stories to Identify Point of View
Coupled with practice exercises, I share short stories and have students identify the point of view, as well as other story elements. Students write down their answers on a sticky note and post it on the response board. This gives me an easy way to assess students’ understanding. As we delve into the reading of our class novels, students become more aware of point of view and we discuss how a story changes if told from a different viewpoint.
In order to provide visual examples of this concept for students, we play Hot Seat. This is a game in which student(s) or the teacher pretends to be a character in a story. The rest of the class interviews the character(s). I have students prepare questions based on story events, and the character answers the questions based on the information provided in the book. To demonstrate how point of view affects the text, as we read a book in third person limited, I’ll have a character whose viewpoint is not expressed be in the hot seat. Answers are normally inferred, and this allows students to compare and contrast events told from different perspectives.
Focusing on Point of View in Writing
Once students are proficient in identifying point of view and discussing how it affects text, we begin to relate this concept to writing. Similar to our first reading assignments, students underline clues and identify the point of view portrayed in students’ own writing. As students look through rough drafts and various journal entries, I ask them to keep track of the point of view used most in their writing; most of my sixth graders find that the first person viewpoint is used most often.
After students have identified the most commonly used point of view in their writing, they choose a rough draft to revise and rewrite using a different viewpoint. This is an interesting process for students to experience, and during writing conferences, we discuss how each individual story changes due to the point of view selected. Students have to identify what parts of their story should be omitted, as well as what additions need to be made to reflect the change in perspective. This assignment requires students to apply their knowledge; writing conferences serve as a way to help those who are struggling with this concept.
Learning to use point of view in both reading and writing is a process that requires students to apply what they know. Through guided practice, and a variety of exposures and opportunities to apply knowledge, students can learn to effectively identify and apply point of view in their reading and writing.
Point of View Lessons and Activities:
In this lesson students scrutinize different points of view and search for others. The graphic organizer that accompanies this lesson helps students to better understand the differences between each point of view.
Seeing Things from Someone Else’s Point of View:
Students learn how culture can affect point of view using a Peace Corp lesson. This lesson integrates social studies and language arts skills.
Students identify and compare the first person point of view and the third person limited in this lesson. I like this lesson because it requires students to rewrite a paragraph in another point of view.
This is a lesson that would be a beneficial assessment piece at the end of a point of view unit. There is an online component for reading, and the final assessment would be a story written from a pet’s point of view.
