How point of view influences how events are described

General

Students learn how point of view or perspective changes the way events are told in a story. They will review first, second, and third-person points of view. In the end, students read and analyze "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry.

Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.6

Learning objective

Students will be able to analyze how the point of view in a story affect the way events are told.

Introduction

Students imagine a scenario of a student performing a piano solo. How might the student describe the performance? How might the event be different for the audience watching the performance?

Instruction

Go over the different points of view and describe each one. These include First person, second person, and third-person which includes "objective," "limited," and "omniscient." Have students read the sentences and underline the keywords that reveal the point of view. Then students should circle "1st," "2nd," or "3rd" for each sentence. Go over some more examples, then provide students with a scenario for a story. Students will spin the wheel and write a short paragraph telling the story from the point of view they land on.

Quiz

Students will respond to 10 questions. They will read passages and determine point of view.

Closing

Students read "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. From which point of view is the story told? How might the story change if it was told from a different point of view or perspective? You can have students discuss in groups or pairs, discuss as a class, or have students write their responses.

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