You can explore a first person point of view on the page if you write in the first Person.You can write in the first person in a novel or opinion piece.Creating an effective first person narrative requires skill and consistency as well as a thorough revision of the writing once it is done.
Step 1: The present tense is used to move the story forward.
The first person point of view has two different tenses.The present tense focuses on the actions and thoughts of the narrator.It is an option that can be used to move the story forward and carry the reader through a narrative.A tense narrator would say, "I open the window and yell at him to leave me alone."I close the window and watch soap operas on television.
Step 2: Past tense can be used to explore a character's past.
If you are writing a story that explores the main character or narrator's past, the past tense is a good option.It is easier to do than present tense.Writing in the past tense makes the story feel more like it is being told, rather than happening right now.A past tense narrator would say, "I opened the window and yelled at him to leave me alone."I closed the window and watched the soap opera.
Step 3: Discuss the work in present tense.
The first person point of view is not a good idea for an academic essay.When discussing a work of literature or a scholarly work, your instructor may allow you to use the first person.The present tense gives an intimate tone to the discussion.The first person point of view can be used in a research paper if you are using APA style.You should only use the first person point of view in your research paper if you are writing about sample A or subject B.
Step 4: The narrator should have a different voice.
First person narrators often have a specific way of seeing the world.Give your first person narrator a narrative voice that is unique to them.Consider the narrators age, class, and background.The voice of the first person narrator can be created with these elements.If your narrator is a Latino teenager who lives in the Bronx, they will have a distinct narrative voice that may use Spanish phrases and teenage slang as well as standard English.
Step 5: The actions of the story should be limited by the narrator.
The reader can view the world of the story through the first person narrator's perspective.From the point of view of the narrator, this means describing scenes, other characters, and settings.The reader gets a sense of their point of view through the first person narrator.Rather than say, "I couldn't believe what I was seeing."A killer spider skittered towards me and I thought I was dead, focus on describing the action straight from the viewpoint of the narrator.You could say, "This couldn't be what I was seeing."A spider was skittering towards me.I am dead.
Step 6: The pace and action should be kept moving forward with the use of the I.
If you are writing in the present tense, try not to let the first person narrator getbogged down by long descriptions.The story should be kept moving forward.The narrator should be in every scene.If you put this content in a scene with dialogue and action, you can say, "I tried to talk to Sara about how I felt but she didn't want to listen to what I had to say."You could write, "Sara, why won't you talk to me?" I was determined to get her to listen to what I had to say."
Step 7: There are examples of first person narratives.
Read examples of the first person point of view in literature to get a better sense of it.Look at past and present tense examples to see how other writers use it.There are many examples of the first person point of view in writing.
Step 8: Don't start every sentence with "I."
Though you are writing from the perspective of the I in the first person point of view, you do not want every sentence to begin with I.You don't want to start with "I" in every sentence or have it in sentence after sentence.Rather than say, "I ran down the stairs, my heart pounding."You can write, "I ran down the stairs, my heart pounding, I could hear the killer spider skittering on the wall behind me."The killer spider was behind me.
Step 9: Do not use the "I" to report on the action.
Allow the first person narrator to describe a scene from their point of view.When using a first person narrator, do not use the passive voice.This can make the narrative sound like a report or summary of events, rather than letting the reader experience the events as they unfold.Instead of writing, I bumped into Marsha and she told me she left her homework at home.I told her not to get upset and that I was sorry for her.As I turned the corner of the gym, I bumped into Marsha.She said she forgot her homework at home.I tried to comfort her by putting my hand on her shoulder.I told her not to be upset.
Step 10: Don't put distance between the reader and the I.
The distance between the reader and the first person's perspective can be created by using the words "I thought," " I saw," or "i felt" in the narrative.They can weaken the narrative if you use them in the first person.For example, instead of writing, you can say, "I felt sad about losing her as a friend."I almost stopped to talk to her when I passed her in the hall.Remove "I thought" and tighten up the action in the sentence after I thought that she was going to reject you anyway.I almost stopped to talk to her when I passed her in the hall.I kept walking.She is going to reject me anyways.
Step 11: Listen to the piece loud.
When you have finished a draft of the story, read it out loud.Listen to how the narrative sounds.You should notice if you repeat "I" too often.If the first person narrator's voice feels consistent throughout the piece, pay attention to it.The tense in the story is something you should pay attention to.The story should not shift from present to past tense or vice versa.It should be the same tense all the time.
Step 12: The word choice and language needs to be tightened.
Make sure your language is strong as you revise the story.You can replace any words with more unique terms.It is a good idea to check for any language that is not clear or concise.The first person narrator in the story should have a good word choice and language.
Step 13: The piece should be shown to others.
You should show your draft to other people.Ask your friends and peers to read the first person narrative.They can give you feedback and critique the story to make it stronger.You can show the story to a writing group to get feedback.Use feedback from others to improve the first person narrator in your story.