Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
First-person point of view is when the narrator tells the story from their own perspective, using pronouns like "I," "me," and "my." It allows readers to experience events through the eyes and thoughts of a specific character.
AP course connection
Topic 1.4: 1.4 Understanding and interpreting a narrator’s perspective
This is when the narrator addresses the reader directly as "you," making them an active participant in the story.
Third-person point of view: In this perspective, the narrator uses pronouns like "he," "she," or "they" to tell the story from an outside viewpoint.
Stream of consciousness: This technique presents a character's thoughts and feelings in a continuous flow without any structured narrative or punctuation.