Identifying Narrator/Voice

1. Determine whether the following passage is omniscient, first person, or third person limited, and defend your answer!

One day, a young woman looked out her apartment window and saw a man playing a saxophone. “Cool,” she thought as she swayed to his tune. A big brown dog joined the man and howled along with the music.

Then a man in pajamas yelled from another window, complaining that the noise woke him up and he was going to call the police. This man, who worked the night shift and had to sleep all day, liked cats better than dogs anyway. The young saxophonist left.

Identify Narration:

Defend: How can you tell this is ______narrator?

2. Determine whether the following passage is omniscient, first person, or third person limited, and defend your answer!

When I went to bed that night, I had no idea what the morning would bring. I only knew the knot in my stomach as I tossed and turned. Though I was sure that Nana’s surgery would go well, doubts tormented me.

The next morning, I tiptoed downstairs to the kitchen and saw the relief on my father’s face. I heaved a huge sigh of relief, and the muscles in my face relaxed.

Identify Narration:

Defend: How can you tell this is ______narrator?

3. Determine whether the following passage is omniscient, first person, or third person limited, and defend your answer!

At seven o’clock, they sat down to dinner. Frederick took his seat at the head of the table, proud host of their first dinner party. Looking across the dining table, however, he noticed that someone was missing. Where was Suzanne?

Embarrassed, Frederick excused himself and left his guests to serve themselves.

Where had Suzanne gone?

Identify Narration:

Defend: How can you tell this is ______narrator?

4. Directions: Read the following passage.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I shouted. “Put it down—or else!”

“You’re not wearing it,” Kayla muttered. “You never wear it. Why can’t I?”

“Because it’s mine!”

“You’re so selfish,” Kayla muttered, jamming the shirt back onto a hanger. She slammed the closet door.

“Get out of my room,” I told her. I’d just about had it with my younger sister. She was always stealing my very favorite clothes.

Q: How does the narrator sound as she argues with her sister? Which words contribute to your impression? (Highlight them)

5. Directions: In the following passage, notice how individual words and phrases contribute to the tone.

Sonia lifted the puppy to her chest and stroked his soft fur. Stretched out, the puppy was almost as big as she was. Nuzzling her face in the puppy’s neck, Sonia whispered gently, “It’s okay.” The puppy shook in the presence of the newcomers, but he softened now in Sonia’s arms.

Q: How would you describe the tone?