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First person vs. Second person vs. Third person - Rebekah Bergman

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TEDEd Animation

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Who is telling a story, and from what perspective, are some of the most important choices an author makes. Told from a different point of view, a story can transform completely. Third person, first person, and second person perspectives each have unique possibilities and constraints. So how do you choose a point of view for your story? Rebekah Bergman explores the different ways to focus a story.

Traditionally, fairy tales have a third person point of view. Choose a fairy tale character you would like to make a first-person narrator of their story. What would the reader learn from that version of the story that the traditional version omits?

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Rebekah Bergman
  • Director Jérémie Balais, Jeff Le Bars
  • Narrator Susan Zimmerman
  • Animator Jérémie Balais, Jeff Le Bars
  • Music Fred Roux
  • Sound Designer Raphaël Pibarot
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

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