Look Out!

The ability to get inside someone's head is what first-person point of view is all about. When you read stories told in this way, you should see, feel, and hear the same things the narrator does. You should also learn how the character would sound if he or she were thinking out loud. That's why a story written in first-person point of view often sounds more like a casual conversation.

Look back at your Character Traits worksheet, read through your answers, and imagine the character those answers could help you create. Then, open a new word processing document, and write two or three paragraphs narrated from that character's point of view. Describe what your character sees, feels, thinks, hears, says, and does during one of the scenarios below.

A young boy in the woods, looking around curiously.

Your character learns that his or her best friend is moving to another state.

Your character tries something (kayaking, skateboarding, knitting, rapping, etc.) for the first time.

Your character has just received a large package in the mail from his or her grandparents.

Your character is an eyewitness to a crime and is questioned by the police.

Your character sees a child struggling in the pool and tries to rescue the child.

How can you create a convincing first-person narrator?

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