What Is a Narrator
The narrator is the voice telling the story. This voice might belong to a character inside the story (first person or a character observing events), or it might be an outside observer describing events (third person). The narrator's identity shapes how readers access information, interpret events, and understand character motivations.
For struggling readers, identifying the narrator is a foundational comprehension skill. Research shows that readers who can distinguish narrator voice improve comprehension scores by 15-25% because they better understand whose perspective they're reading from. This is especially important for students with dyslexia or other reading differences, who often benefit from explicit instruction about narrative structure rather than incidental learning.
Types of Narrators
- First person narrator: A character telling their own story using "I" and "me." Example: "I walked into the classroom." Readers see only what this character knows and experiences.
- Third person narrator: An outside voice describing characters using "he," "she," or "they." Example: "Maya walked into the classroom." The narrator may be omniscient (knowing all characters' thoughts) or limited (knowing only one character's perspective).
- Unreliable narrator: A voice whose account is questionable or false. This advanced concept appears in middle and high school texts and requires explicit teaching.
Teaching Narrator to Struggling Readers
Educators using structured literacy approaches like Orton-Gillingham emphasize explicit, systematic instruction in narrative elements. Introduce narrator identification separately from phonics instruction. Students should first master decoding before analyzing narrative voice.
For IEPs targeting reading comprehension, narrator awareness is measurable and specific. An effective goal might read: "Student will identify the narrator and explain whether the narrator is a character in the story or an outside observer in 4 out of 5 grade-level passages."
Start with picture books and controlled texts where narrator voice is clear. Gradually move to texts with shifting narrators or multiple perspectives. This scaffolding helps students build confidence before encountering complex narrative structures.
Common Questions
- How does understanding the narrator help with reading comprehension? When students identify who is telling the story, they understand what information that narrator can share and what they cannot. This prevents confusion about plot holes or missing information and helps readers make inferences about unreported events.
- Should I teach narrator before or after teaching phonics? Teach phonics first. Narrator understanding is a comprehension strategy that builds on top of decoding skills. Once students can read words fluently, explicit narrator instruction becomes effective.
- How do I explain narrator to a student with dyslexia? Use consistent visual supports. Create a simple chart showing "Who is telling this story?" with pictures or character names. Color-code first person pronouns (I, me, we) and third person pronouns (he, she, they) in short passages. This multi-sensory approach aligns with Orton-Gillingham principles.