The Rebuttal Argument_For Kim Woods

This week, we will be discussing one of the most important choices a writer must make when creating a work of fiction: which point of view to use.  Please read the commentary in Module Two of our Course Content on point of view, then read Chapter Ten very carefully before responding to the questions for this week, as well as the story "Hills Like White Elephants," by Ernest Hemingway.

You will need to write a one page paragraph each about both questions this week by . Please answer both of these questions in the same paragraph:

1. Read Chapter 10 carefully so you understand the concept of point of view and all the many different points of view a story (or novel, or even a poem) can use. Then list the three stories we have read--"Everyday Use," "A Good Man is Hard to Find," and "Hills Like White Elephants"--and guess what point of view it uses. Note: if you are going to guess that a story is in the third person, be sure to specify whether it is third-person omniscient, third-person limited omniscient, or third-person objective. Then, give examples from each story to show what leads you to think it's in the point of view you have guessed.

2. This is a fun exercise: go back to your introduction from Week One. Revise that introduction so instead of using first-person narration, it uses third person. Example:

I am planning to major in English because I love discussing literature. = FIRST PERSON

Joan Smith is planning to major in English because she loves discussing literature. = THIRD PERSON. Copy and paste your revision into your response.

In your opinion, how does the third-person version differ from the first-person one in terms of the impression it makes, the mood it creates, or the way it characterizes you as a person? (Think back to our discussion of characterization last week.)

Again, answer all of these questions by starting a new thread. Once you have posted your thread, please read other people's responses and respond to at least two of them by answering this question:

How did their first-person introduction and their third-person introduction strike you? Which did you like better? Which gave you a clearer sense of the person?