Choosing an appropriate point of view

Click on the passage that uses the more appropriate point of view.

For help with this exercise, see Point of view.

Example

1 of 10

Question

undefined. Here are two postcard notices sent out by dentists to remind patients to call for an appointment. Which point of view—the second person or the third person—works better?
◯ Things to do today:1. Floss.2. Call your dentist.It’s time for your dental checkup, so call 555-336-6000 for an appointment.
◯ It is the custom of this office to notify patients on record for periodical examination of the mouth. This service is rendered to safeguard previous work and to ensure future good health and appearance. The office phone number is 555-336-3000.
Choosing an appropriate point of view – 1

2 of 10

Question

undefined. For a research paper arguing against the reopening of a nuclear power plant, which point of view—the first person or the third person—is more effective?
◯ I am strongly opposed to reopening the local nuclear power plant because I know that there is no way this area could be evacuated in an emergency.
◯ The local nuclear power plant should not be reopened because all of the proposed emergency evacuation plans are unrealistic.
Choosing an appropriate point of view – 2

3 of 10

Question

undefined. Here are two versions of a paragraph from a student essay. The writer’s purpose is to show readers that work as a flight attendant is not as glamorous as it may appear. Which point of view—the third person or the first person—seems to work better for this writer?
◯ A social life can be difficult to arrange when one is on short layovers or working different shifts. The flight attendant may fly to exotic places; however, very often the plane must make the return trip immediately. So if the attendant is on a “run” to Paris, they may never see it. Nor are they likely to get to know many Parisians.
◯ The most lonely times were the layovers. Usually I would spend the night in a hotel, eat a cold sandwich for dinner, and wash out my uniform for the next day’s flight. Sometimes I wasn’t lucky enough to make it to a hotel. I recall spending my first Christmas Eve away from home sleeping on a bench in the Kansas City airport. Of course, if I got really lonely, I could always find an Internet café and surf the Web or watch my favorite TV shows on YouTube.
Choosing an appropriate point of view – 3

4 of 10

Question

undefined. For a business report summarizing market research, which point of view—the second person or the third person—would be more appropriate?
◯ Market research indicates that the new scooter will have appeal if you are a male aged twelve to seventeen. You will benefit from the product because it offers mobility and independence and can be operated without a driver’s license.
◯ Market research indicates that the new scooter will appeal to males aged twelve to seventeen. The scooter offers mobility and independence to these consumers, and they can operate it without a driver’s license.
Choosing an appropriate point of view – 4

5 of 10

Question

undefined. Here are the opening sentences of two versions of an article for a newsletter for pet owners. The writer’s purpose is to alert readers to the fact that certain kinds of tropical fish reproduce prolifically. Which point of view—the second person or the third person—works better?
◯ You wish to start an aquarium of live-bearing fish? If so, first consider how prolific fish such as black mollies, guppies, sunsets, and swordtails can be. You may return from the pet shop with a pair of these fish only to wake up the next morning and find thirty new arrivals squirming through the filter’s air bubbles.
◯ Anyone wishing to start an aquarium of live-bearing fish needs to be aware of how prolific fish such as black mollies, guppies, sunsets, and swordtails can be. They may return from the pet shop with a pair of these fish only to wake up the next morning and find thirty new arrivals squirming through the filter’s air bubbles.
Choosing an appropriate point of view – 5

6 of 10

Question

undefined. For a research paper in a psychology class, which sentence would you write?
◯ American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents not to allow children under two years of age to watch television.
◯ American Academy of Pediatrics urges you not to allow children under two years of age to watch television.
Choosing an appropriate point of view – 6

7 of 10

Question

undefined. Here are two versions of the opening sentences of a student essay describing the process of training a dog for search-and-rescue missions. Which point of view—the third person or the first person—works better?
◯ Training one’s dog for search-and-rescue missions in the mountains may sound like a difficult way to spend the summer, but after pulling a stretcher over rough terrain and rappelling down a cliffside, this writer was exhilarated when she realized that she and her dog were ready to save lives.
◯ Training my dog for search-and-rescue missions in the mountains may sound like a difficult way to spend the summer, but after pulling a stretcher over rough terrain and rappelling down a cliffside, I was exhilarated when I realized that my dog and I were ready to save lives.
Choosing an appropriate point of view – 7

8 of 10

Question

undefined. In a speech textbook showing readers how to teach language to a deaf child, which point of view—the second person or the third person—works better?
◯ When teaching a deaf child even one word, you will need a lot of patience and a ready smile. Since deaf children cannot hear your tone of voice, they will “listen” to your facial expression and depend on your pleased response for reinforcement.
◯ When teaching a deaf child even one word, the teacher will need a lot of patience and a ready smile. Since deaf children cannot hear the tone of voice, they will “listen” to the facial expression of the teacher and depend on their pleased response for reinforcement.
Choosing an appropriate point of view – 8

9 of 10

Question

undefined. For a literary analysis, which point of view—the second person or the third person—is more appropriate?
◯ In “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place,” Ernest Hemingway contrasts two waiters. You learn that the younger waiter is confident, self-centered, and inconsiderate. The older waiter has lost confidence but with the wisdom of age has acquired sensitivity.
◯ In “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place,” Ernest Hemingway contrasts two waiters. The younger waiter is confident, self-centered, and inconsiderate. The older waiter has lost confidence but with the wisdom of age has acquired sensitivity.
Choosing an appropriate point of view – 9

10 of 10

Question

undefined. Here are two versions of the introduction to a personal experience narrative. Which point of view—the first person or the third person—seems to work better for this writer?
◯ Before moving to the country, I fantasized about blue skies and pine-scented air. Once I moved, reality intruded. Firewood had to be stacked, a dirt road needed plowing in winter, and the nearest movie theater was far away. When friends visited, I begged them to extend their stay and wept when they left. Country life sounds romantic, but isolation and hard work can take a heavy toll on those who choose it.
◯ People who leave urban life to get close to nature may not know what’s in store for them. Firewood must be stacked, dirt roads need plowing in winter, and the nearest movie theater might be hours away. Also, one’s social life is restricted when one lives in the country. Country life sounds romantic, but isolation and hard work can take a heavy toll on those who choose it.
Choosing an appropriate point of view – 10