Who Tells the Story — Understanding Authorship and Narration
Every story has a voice. It doesn’t just come from the words on the page — it comes from who is telling the story and why they’re telling it that way. In English reading and writing, this idea is at the heart of two powerful concepts: authorship and narration.
When English learners read a book, watch a video, or listen to a podcast, they often focus on what happens. But if you want to understand how and why a story is told a certain way, you have to think about two questions:
Who created this message? (authorship)
Who is speaking within the story? (narration)
Learning about authorship and narration helps you understand point of view, bias, tone, and purpose. It sharpens your reading skills, strengthens your writing, and gives you deeper insight into stories, articles, and even media messages. Whether you're reading fiction or nonfiction, understanding who is behind the words makes all the difference.
🧾 Detailed Explanation: What Are Authorship and Narration?
✍️ 1. What Is Authorship?
Authorship means the creator of the text — the real-life person who wrote the story, article, poem, or speech.
Authorship includes:Why it matters:The writer’s background or beliefsIt can influence the message and content of the textThe purpose of writingTo inform, entertain, persuade, express?The historical or cultural contextWhen and where the author lived can affect the ideas and tone
Example:
If a novel about war is written by a soldier, the story may feel different than if it's written by someone who only read about war in books.
🗣️ 2. What Is Narration?
Narration is the voice that tells the story inside the text. It’s also called the narrator or point of view.
There are three main types of narration in fiction:
👁️🗨️ A. First-Person Narration ("I", "me", "my")
The narrator is a character in the story who shares their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Strength: Feels personal and emotional
Limitation: Only shows one character’s view
Example: “I couldn’t believe what I saw when I opened the door.”
👁🗨️ B. Third-Person Limited Narration ("he", "she", "they")
The narrator is outside the story but follows the thoughts and experiences of one character.
Strength: Offers a focused view
Limitation: Still limited to one perspective
Example: “Samantha stared at the ground, unsure of what to say.”
👁👁 C. Third-Person Omniscient Narration
The narrator knows everything — all characters’ thoughts, feelings, and backgrounds.
Strength: Offers a big-picture view of the story
Limitation: Less emotional connection with one person
Example: “Tom was nervous, but Sara was already planning her next move.”
🗨️ D. Second-Person Narration ("you") (less common)
Talks directly to the reader, as if they are the main character.
Example: “You walk into the room and feel the cold air hit your face.”
🧠 Why Authorship and Narration Matter
Skill
-Understanding tone and bias
-Recognizing purpose
-Analyzing point of view
-Improving writing and speaking
How It Helps English Learners
-Helps you tell if a text is opinionated or neutral
-You can see if the author is trying to inform, persuade, or entertain
-Helps you understand how the narrator’s position affects the story
-Helps you choose the right voice and purpose in your own work
📝 Example in Practice:
Text: “I didn’t trust them. Something about their smile felt too perfect.”
Narration: First-person (we see the story through one character’s eyes)
Authorship: A suspense writer who wants the reader to feel distrust or suspense
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Confusing the author with the narrator — they are not always the same!
❌ Forgetting to ask why the story is being told a certain way
❌ Ignoring the narrator’s bias or limited knowledge
📚 Tips for English Learners
Ask: Who is telling this story? Can they be trusted?
Look for clues in pronouns: “I” (first-person), “he/she” (third-person)
Think about the author’s goal: What do they want me to think or feel?
🧠 Quiz: Authorship and Narration
