English Language Learner (ELL) Supplemental Practice Exam

What is the difference between first-person and third-person point of view?

First-person uses I or we; third-person uses he, she, or they. First-person uses you; third-person uses I. There is no difference between the two perspectives. Second-person is the same as first person.

Correct Answer:

First-person uses I or we; third-person uses he, she, or they.

Explanation:

The main idea is who is telling the story and what pronouns they use. In first person, the narrator speaks as I or we, and the story comes directly from that character’s own experiences and thoughts. In third person, the narrator refers to others as he, she, they, or by name, and the narrator is outside the action. This changes how much the reader knows: first-person narration offers a close, personal view limited to what that narrator sees and thinks, while third-person narration can be more distant and can focus on one character (limited) or reveal thoughts and details about multiple characters (omniscient). For example, “I walked to the store” uses the first person, whereas “She walked to the store” uses the third person.

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