Antony West (Author)

First-person narrative is a powerful tool. It allows the reader to get right inside the character’s head. But it can also be restrictive. We need to teach our students the pros and cons of it. Sue Cowley’s work on ‘differentiation’ comes to mind here. Some students might thrive with this perspective, while others might find it challenging. Give them both options. Have them write a short scene in the first-person, and then have them rewrite it in the third-person. This allows them to see the different effects each perspective can create and helps them make a more informed choice for their own work.