Third Person Objective

When I taught middle school English, I would teach about the “third person objective” point of view in some stories. ⁣

Ready for a quick English review?

Third person objective.

“Third person” means the narrator is someone not in the story.

So they use pronouns like “he”, “she”, or “they”.

⁣“Objective” means the narrator can’t see into anyone’s thoughts at all. ⁣

I taught my students that stories written in third person objective are just as if a drone was flying over and narrating everything it saw!

This drone narrator could describe actions…

But never anyone’s intentions or thoughts.

So if someone wrote a third-person objective story about my past week, would they be able to see me SHOWING my love to my family members, friends, and neighbors? ⁣

Without knowing my thoughts and intentions, what mountain of evidence could a “drone narrator” build that I love people around me?

John taught:

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)

Saying “I love you” and feeling love toward other people is amazing.

To be clear— I’m not discounting that, and I don’t think John is either.

But Jesus has also invited us to let those feelings change how we act!

We have to behave and serve and show our love in some sort of way.

So how would a “drone narrator” describe how you showed your love this week?

Cleaning up a child’s mess.

Having a smile on my face as I greet someone.

Sending a text to a friend.

Responding with kindness when I could justifiably be rude.

Buying a present I know they’ll love.

Dropping off a treat at someone’s door.

And how could we find ways to SHOW our love even more?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black