Narrative Perspectives Flashcards
1st Person
A narrative perspective where the story is told from the point of view of a character within the story.
2nd Person
A narrative perspective where the narrator directly addresses the reader as ‘you’, making the reader a part of the story.
3rd Person Limited
A narrative perspective where the story is told by an external narrator who is not a character in the story. However, the narrator has access to the thoughts and feelings of a single character. (Usually the Protagonist)
3rd Person Objective
A narrative perspective where the story is told by an external narrator who is not a character in the story. The narrator does not have access to any character’s thoughts and feelings, and only tells observable actions/dialogues/events.
3rd Person Omniscient
A narrative perspective where the story is told by an all-knowing external narrator, where they have access to all character’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences. They may also offer insights to future developments in the story.
Intrusive Narration
A narrative style where the narrator breaks the fourth wall by directly addressing the reader, offering insights, opinions, or commentary that go beyond simply telling the story.
Unreliable Narrator
A narrator who’s credibility is compromised, leading the reader to question the accuracy of its narration. This can stem from various factors, such as personal biases, limited understanding, or intentional deceit, and so on.
Reliable Narrator
A narrator who’s account is trustworthy and credible. The narration is accurate, unbiased, honest, and clear.
Free Indirect Discourse
A narrative technique that blends a character’s thoughts and feelings with a narrator’s voice, expressing a character’s thoughts, experiences etc… whilst remaining external to the story.
Self-referentiality
A narrative technique where a text or story refers to itself, or acknowledges its status as a text.
