Reading perspective, often referred to as point of view in literature, is the narrator's outlook or view on the story's events, characters, and the world. It determines through whose eyes and mind the reader experiences the narrative.
Understanding the perspective is crucial because it shapes what information the reader receives, how characters and events are presented, and the overall tone and feeling of the story. The narrator acts as a filter, relaying the story based on their knowledge, experiences, and biases.
Types of Reading Perspective
According to literary convention, there are primary types of perspective used in storytelling. The reference specifically highlights three main categories:
- First-Person Perspective: In this perspective, the narrator is a character within the story. As noted in the reference, this narrator is often the protagonist or main character. They share events using "I," "me," "my," "we," etc. The reader only knows what this character knows, sees, or feels.
- Example: "I walked down the street. I couldn't believe what I saw next."
- Second-Person Perspective: This perspective uses "you" and addresses the reader directly as if they are the character experiencing the story. It's less common in fiction but can be found in instructional texts, choose-your-own-adventure stories, or specific literary styles.
- Example: "You open the door and step inside. You feel a chill in the air."
- Third-Person Perspective: The narrator is outside the story and refers to characters using "he," "she," "it," "they," and character names. This is a very common perspective in fiction and has variations depending on how much the narrator knows and reveals (e.g., third-person limited, third-person omniscient).
- Example: "He walked down the street. He couldn't believe what she saw next."
Choosing a perspective significantly impacts the narrative's intimacy, reliability, and the scope of information available to the reader.
