1st person narrative vs 3rd person narrative

Today our LA teacher taught us about the difference of 1st person narratives and and 3rd person narratives.

What are 1st and 3rd person narratives?

1st person:

A narrative written in first person is a first-hand account of events told or narrated through the eyes of a single character, typically the main character. Books written in first person are easily identified by the use of the pronoun “I” rather than “he or she.”

3rd person:

The third person point of view occurs when an author allows the narrator to tell the story using third person pronouns. Third-person narrative can be identified by looking at the pronouns used in the narrative. Third-person narrative uses "he," "she," "it" "they."

Differences:

She stated that both types of narratives have their own pros and cons, however recommended us to use 3rd person as she said it would be easier for beginners of writing like us. However, she did not put down 1st person as well. They both have their own pros and cons. Let us take a closer look into this.

1st person pros:

First person makes the narrator close up and personal. The reader can identify with the character and experience their deepest, innermost thoughts and feelings which 3rd person is unable to do.

1st person cons:

When writing in first person, the author is restricted to a single point of view. First person therefore becomes the narrowest, most restrictive point of view because everything is seen and processed through the mind of the narrator. Therefore, it is very hard for authors because the narrator could not possibly be at all the important places at one time.

3rd person pros:

From the third person point of view, it allows the author the flexibility of using more than one viewpoint character without confusing the reader. In such cases, it is common for authors to change from one viewpoint character to another. There could also be one main character per scene.

3rd person cons:

Omniscient points of view in third person means that there are many more main characters. Therefore, together with the lack of the ability to write about the feelings of the character, and the lack of details for each main characters, 3rd person narratives are usually more detached from the readers.

Conclusion:

So, to write a successful essay, we must first understand for what purpose we are writing for and how does choosing that particular style help in fulfilling that purpose.

Descriptive language

Today in out LA class, I was asked to described a photo of a beach, so here it is:

It was a hot and windy afternoon. The clouds in the bule sky swayed to the beat of the crisp wind and the sand on the beach sparkled as white as crystals. Snowy white beach chairs stood on the sand, a perfect sight to see. In the distance, I heard a faint sound of splashing. I later realised it was from the ocean. The waves contracted, followed shortly by a soft lapping of water against the shore. It was such a change from the lush green forest that i had just comeout from. What a perfect day for a swim, I thought as I sprinted towards the water as the warmth of the sand heated my feet. It was so tranquil that I thought it was a dream. The water felt nice and cool as I felt as if all the stress and unhappiness had washed out of me, for all I could think of now was nothing but joy.

Blog prompt: Perpertrators and victims of prejudice

Have you ever been in the company of a group of which you clearly were not included? Describe the circumstances. How did you act? How did the situation / event affect you?

Yes, I have been in a group which I was clearly not included. When I was in P5, I had an art project that we were supposed to do, and the groups were assigned to us. I remember that time that I was in a group of people that I was not very familiar with, as they were from the GEP class of P5K and L.

At that time, we were supposed to make a decision on what we were going to make, what types of design our final product should be. The decision was made and agreed by everyone. However, only one person could work on the project at any one time, as such, I was the fourth in line. After buying the materials I needed to use for the project, I waited for my turn to do it. To my horror, I discovered only on the day they passed the work to me that the made an anonymous decision to change the design of the product, and hence wanted me to do a different part of it.

I was shocked as I was not informed of anything until then. They never told me anything about this. The materials I bought earlier were of no use. What I did was a waste of time and money. I was frustrated, but I could do nothing, the work has already progressed thus far, I could not abort it and say that I wanted it my way. There was nothing to do but do as I was told.

After that incident, I learnt that leaders as well as all members of the group, must be responsible and respectful. What they showed in this project was nothing but disrespect for me. They did not even bother to ask for my opinion, they just thrust the work at me. As humans, we deserve the same amount of respect. We all should be treated equally. That would be Utopia. However as we know it, this world is everything but fair, and I am sure that this was just a trivial matter in this unfair world.

Comic strip assignment

Today I did a comic strip based on the theme "Do not judge a book by its cover", here is it:



Why did I choose the different pictures or background(s)?

In the first four panels, it shows a dull background, showing the unhappiness and distrust of Bala from Charles. In the fifth panel, Charles finally found out the truth, and finally understood that he was in the wrong. So, I chose a white background to show how stunned and shocked he was. For the final panel, I chose a calm and beautiful background to show how everything was resolved, and there were no longer any hard feelings between Bala and Charles.

How do they contribute to the elements (plot, setting, characterisation) of your narrative?

I feel that my background has contributed to the characterisation of my narrative. With these backgrounds, I am able to show the feelings of the characters. In panels 1 to 4, both characters are not too happy, in chapter 5 Charles gets a shock of his life and in panel 6, the characters have made up. This is reflected by the dull background of panel 1 to 4, the white background of chapter 5 and the bright background of panel 3.

How did I make use of the different elements to contribute to the theme you have chosen?

I did not really use very many elements, the main one is the character's expressions. I used a variety of expressions to show how the character felt. Also, I made some dialogues in caps because I wanted to tell the reader that that character was shouting too. Finally, in panel 3, I also used the books, papers and pens to show how messy Charles' place is, which can let the reader interpret that Charles' had been ransacking all over the place for his phone.

Blog prompt

Why is it necessary to understand the historical and cultural context of the novel?

I find it necessary to understand this because it helps you understand more on why the author chooses to write this story. Let me give an example: Animal Farm. This book is written by George Orwell during the time of the Russian Revolution, so if we understand that, we can see that he is writing a satire, which means that he wrote that book to represent the Russian Revolution.

How does it help to understand the author's background? Is it necessary to learn about the author's background?

To me, I find that it is a must to learn about the authors background because there could be certain things that made an impact on the author that inspired him to write the particular book. In addition, their writing style could be derived from other poets that they admire.

Is it possible to appreciate the text without pre-reading about the historical and cultural context of the novel / background of the novel?

Well, it depends. If the author wrote such a good story, it is possible. However, it would still not be as good as compared to having read the historical and cultural context of the novel. As stated in question 1, if we did not read the cultural context of Animal Farm, we would take it as a well written, nicely done story. However, if we knew the cultural context, we would take the same story as a well written satire.

Prejudice.. What does it mean to me

Prejudice

What do I know about prejudice?

I know that it is an adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts.

This is usually created or formed by a general opinion or the result of being influenced by other people. This causes hurt and suffering to the targeted person, and in a wider perspective, can cause a brain drain to a country as these targeted people would leave the country.



( Please take note that the following examples is not intended criticism to any particular country, it is just for stating facts)

For example, in Malaysia, Malays get special rights, they hold all important posts. All other races are prejudged as not part of Malaysia. While in South America, blacks are being prejudged. I am sure that there are many more examples, too many to name them all.

What I want to know about prejudice?

1) Well... why is the government not doing anything about it? They have all the authority and all the power to change this..

2) We all do have a heart.. why don't we just accept everyone for who they are?

A really special poem!

Basically, last year I chose this poem for my poem recital.


In case you never read the poem before, here it is:

The Flower by Lord Alfred Tennyson

Once in a golden hour
I cast to earth a seed.
Up there came a flower,
The people said, a weed.

To and fro they went
Thro' my garden-bower,
And muttering discontent
Cursed me and my flower.

Then it grew so tall
It wore a crown of light,
But thieves from o'er the wall
Stole the seed by night.

Sow'd it far and wide
By every town and tower,
Till all the people cried
`Splendid is the flower.'

Read my little fable:
He that runs may read.
Most can raise the flowers now,
For all have got the seed.

And some are pretty enough,
And some are poor indeed;
And now again the people
Call it but a weed.

Important Points of the poem:

Essentially, the poet gives us an idea of how we view things that are new.

First stanza:

The poet introduces a seed, which symbolizes the birth of something new, or (to me) can be referred to as an invention. He describes it as a rare invention (once in a golden hour) and says that it had succeeded (up there came a flower). At first, people did not believe him and still thought his new invention was useless, sarcastic that the invention was good(the people said, a weed) .

Second stanza:

People were angry and unhappy that the persona had discovered something they did not. They wandered around the invention, finally seeing how great it was for themselves, now becoming jealous that it was him instead of them that found out this new invention (To and fro they went Thro' my garden-bower And muttering discontent Cursed me and my flower).

Third stanza:

However, the poet proved that the invention was so good that it could not be given the slightest of doubts. (Then it grew so tall It wore a crown of light), but at last, people managed to steal the secret in making it (But thieves from o'er the wall Stole the seed by night).

Fourth stanza:

Later, the people who copied it mass produced it to the public (Sow'd it far and wide By every town and tower). As everybody tried the new invention, they realized how good it was (Till all the people cried`Splendid is the flower.'). Soon, the time came when the secret of the invention leaked out, and many people knew how to produce the same invention (Most can raise the flowers now, For all have got the seed.).

Fifth stanza:

Everybody had and could make the invention now, until it became so common everybody now took them for granted. (And now again the people Call it but a weed.)

Why did I choose this poem, and what did I learn from it?

I chose this poem because of the deep textual meanings coupled with the beautiful way in which it is written. Tennyson could really capture the essence of what happens to new things, and be able to paraphrase it into such a concise language. This poem was so perfectly written that his poem is even relevant today!

Many of our modern inventions are prime examples of this -- for example, the aeroplane, the phone, the computer, etc. Let us talk more about the aeroplane. At first, when the idea of being above the ground came out, people treated it with sarcasm and scrutiny. The Wright brothers who believed that their idea would work could not get the motor for their plane as people were reluctant to sell them as they saw their plan as a failure and would only bring bad reputation to their motor.

Next, Jealousy arouses when they finally come to see how great it is for themselves. The plane finally takes off and makes a successful journey in the air. After that, the truth is finally out - People finally accepts that the brother had just made a miraculous invention .

Imitators, for example, China companies try to copy the idea and manufactures them on a wide scale. Everybody scrambles to claim that the plane and flying was done by them. Later, enough planes are created, prices drops, people take flying for granted.

This can be used to explain what happened for the other inventions too!

From this poem, I not only learnt new techniques on writing a poem, I also understand how life is like for inventors and anybody pioneering something new for that matter. I can really empathise with them how harsh and cruel life must be -- forever being worried that someone would copy you etc.

Now, I hope that you understand how great this poem is. It really captures everything and that is what makes it so realistic and fascinating to me.