Eliminate Confusing Shifts SHIFTS IN POINT OF VIEW

Point of View The point of view of a piece of writing is the

First Person First-person writing emphasizes the writer, and is thus appropriate for �Personal narrative

Second Person Second-person writing emphasizes the reader, and is thus good for �Giving advice

Third Person Third-person writing emphasizes the subject, and is thus appropriate for �Journalistic reporting

Revise for Consistency Our class practiced rescuing a victim trapped in a wrecked car.

Revise for Consistency Travelers need a signed passport for trips abroad. You should also

Shifts in Tense Consistent verb tenses clearly establish the time of the actions being

Revise for Consistency There was no way I could fight the current and win.

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Eliminate Confusing Shifts SHIFTS IN POINT OF VIEW SHIFTS IN TENSE (from Pocket Manual, pp. 8 -9)

Point of View The point of view of a piece of writing is the perspective from which it is written: �First person (I, me, my or we, us) �Second person (you, your) �Third person (he, she, it, one, they)

First Person First-person writing emphasizes the writer, and is thus appropriate for �Personal narrative �Reflection �First-person reporting (eye-witness) �Correspondence

Second Person Second-person writing emphasizes the reader, and is thus good for �Giving advice �Giving instructions �Interpretive text �Making the reader the actor

Third Person Third-person writing emphasizes the subject, and is thus appropriate for �Journalistic reporting �Scientific writing �Academic essays �Technical and professional writing

Revise for Consistency Our class practiced rescuing a victim trapped in a wrecked car. You were graded on your speed and your skill. REVISED Our class practiced rescuing a victim trapped in a wrecked car. We were graded on our speed and skill.

Revise for Consistency Travelers need a signed passport for trips abroad. You should also fill out the emergency information page in the passport. REVISED You need a signed passport for trips abroad. You should also fill out the emergency information page in your passport.

Shifts in Tense Consistent verb tenses clearly establish the time of the actions being described. When a passage begins in one tense and then shifts without warning and for no reason, readers are distracted and confused.

Revise for Consistency There was no way I could fight the current and win. Just as I was losing hope, a stranger jumps off a passing boat and swims toward me. REVISED There was no way I could fight the current and win. Just as I was losing hope, a stranger jumped off a passing boat and swam toward me.