CENTRAL IDEA, CHARACTER, CONFLICT, P.O.V & SETTING
Develop a thesis that deals with point of view and setting in a story of your choice.
Identify the point of view in your story and explain how this point of view is appropriate to the central
idea. Identify the specific type of point of view used. If narration comes from within the story, identify
and describe the narrative voice. What characteristics does the narrator, or focal character possess that
make her/him a good choice for the point of view? Is the narrator reliable? Pay particular attention to how
point of view reveals character and conflict. As always please support your thesis with textual evidence.
Also, describe the setting for the story (historical, geographical, and/or cultural) and how it lends itself to
the central idea. How does the setting work to reveal and/or influence the characters to the reader and how
might it be a factor in the conflict? Be sure to consider all aspects of setting, not just physical time and
place. These aspects could include era, season, weather, environment, historical period, symbolic quality,
etc. Identify as accurately as you can the time and place of the setting. However, sometimes you may
have to guess this due to a dearth of details/textual evidence. Do the best you can.
Your essay should include:
"Title of story," author, subject matter.
Description of central character/s.
Very brief plot summary, including outcome.
Clear and direct statement of central idea (2nd to last sentence in paragraph 1 or the very last
sentence in the essay).
Thesis statement that directly mentions the essay's point of view and setting (Last sentence of
paragraph 1).
Clear link over the course of your essay between P.O.V, SETTING and the other elements of
fiction: CENTRAL IDEA, CHARACTER and CONFLICT.
Specific and direct indication of the point of view used in the story (1 st , 2nd 3rd (limited or full
omniscience) or dramatic p.o.v—If you are still unsure, Google it or ask me.
Specific and direct indication of the central conflict and climax.
Specific explanation of the static (flat)/ or dynamic (round) nature of the central character, with
specific textual evidence.