Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-2-1-narrators

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa.md) › Narrators

# Narrators

English Language: AQA GCSE, topic 2.2.1

## Narrative Voice

The narrative voice is the tone of the piece. The narrative voice might come from a character or from an all-knowing narrator who tells the story. The language devices used by the narrator will depend on who the narrator is.

### First or third person

![First or third person](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/017eae90-9b15-46be-b1a8-a06d7eaf29d2/shutterstock_520698064.jpg)

- A first-person narrator will offer their own personal interpretation of events. A reader is likely to see the world through the narrator's eyes. First-person narrators will use phrases like 'I ran', 'I thought' and 'I saw'. 
- A third-person narrator will either follow a key character or tell events from a neutral perspective that knows about all the events happening in different places in the story. A third-person narrator tells the story rather than being part of the story.

### Reading a narrator's tone

![Reading a narrator's tone](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/76d289c8-59e4-4eca-85c6-aae572c2bd32/shutterstock_126066824.jpg)

- You should study the language devices used by the narrator to assess their tone and how to interpret the characters in the story.
- For example:
 - If the narrator uses negative adjectives to describe a character in the story, they probably have a bad opinion of that character. This suggests we are not supposed to like this character.
 - If the narrator uses a sarcastic tone to describe a character, they probably do not take the character seriously. This suggests we should not take the character seriously either.

## Test yourself on Narrators

- Who might the narrative voice come from?
- What type of narrator does Dickens use in _A Christmas Carol_?'Marley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner.'

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/df1578de-6327-45fa-9420-1619f20f680e/section/09401a0c-2b40-433d-b9fb-502037b0a3e5/session)

- Previous topic: [2.1.14 End of Topic Test - Language Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-1-14-end-of-topic-test-language-devices.md)
- Next topic: [2.2.2 Paragraphs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-2-2-paragraphs.md)

## English Language: AQA GCSE contents

### 1 Key Terms
- 1.1 Key Terms
  - [1.1.1 Nouns](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/1-1-1-nouns.md)
  - [1.1.2 Verbs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/1-1-2-verbs.md)
  - [1.1.3 Sentence Types](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/1-1-3-sentence-types.md)
  - [1.1.4 Words](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/1-1-4-words.md)
  - [1.1.5 Sound](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/1-1-5-sound.md)
  - [1.1.6 Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/1-1-6-language.md)
  - [1.1.7 Images & Symbols](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/1-1-7-images-and-symbols.md)
  - [1.1.8 Phrases](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/1-1-8-phrases.md)
  - [1.1.9 Mood](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/1-1-9-mood.md)
  - [1.1.10 Key Terms - Other Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/1-1-10-key-terms-other-techniques.md)
  - [1.1.11 End of Topic Test - Key Terms](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/1-1-11-end-of-topic-test-key-terms.md)

### 2 Language Techniques
- 2.1 Language Devices
  - [2.1.1 Metaphors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-1-1-metaphors.md)
  - [2.1.2 Similes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-1-2-similes.md)
  - [2.1.3 Metaphors & Similes HyperLearning](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-1-3-metaphors-and-similes-hyperlearning.md)
  - [2.1.4 Personification](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-1-4-personification.md)
  - [2.1.5 Pathetic Fallacy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-1-5-pathetic-fallacy.md)
  - [2.1.6 Pun](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-1-6-pun.md)
  - [2.1.7 Oxymoron](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-1-7-oxymoron.md)
  - [2.1.8 Hyperbole](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-1-8-hyperbole.md)
  - [2.1.9 Alliteration](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-1-9-alliteration.md)
  - [2.1.10 Sibilance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-1-10-sibilance.md)
  - [2.1.11 Onomatopoeia](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-1-11-onomatopoeia.md)
  - [2.1.12 Emotive Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-1-12-emotive-language.md)
  - [2.1.13 All Language Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-1-13-all-language-devices.md)
  - [2.1.14 End of Topic Test - Language Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-1-14-end-of-topic-test-language-devices.md)
- 2.2 Writing Structure
  - [2.2.1 Narrators](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-2-1-narrators.md)
  - [2.2.2 Paragraphs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-2-2-paragraphs.md)
  - [2.2.3 Present Tense](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-2-3-present-tense.md)
  - [2.2.4 Past Tense](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-2-4-past-tense.md)
  - [2.2.5 Future Tense](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-2-5-future-tense.md)
  - [2.2.6 Present vs Past vs Future](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-2-6-present-vs-past-vs-future.md)
  - [2.2.7 Foreshadowing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-2-7-foreshadowing.md)
  - [2.2.8 Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-2-8-structure.md)
  - [2.2.9 End of Topic Test - Writing Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/2-2-9-end-of-topic-test-writing-structure.md)

### 3 Paper 1: Reading
- 3.1 Paper 1: Reading - Section A
  - [3.1.1 Paper 1: Reading - Overview - Section A](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/3-1-1-paper-1-reading-overview-section-a.md)
  - [3.1.2 Paper 1: Reading - Answering Question 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/3-1-2-paper-1-reading-answering-question-1.md)
  - [3.1.3 Paper 1: Reading - Answering Question 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/3-1-3-paper-1-reading-answering-question-2.md)
  - [3.1.4 Exam-Style Questions - Paper 1: Reading](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/3-1-4-exam-style-questions-paper-1-reading.md)
  - [3.1.5 Paper 1: Reading - Answering Question 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/3-1-5-paper-1-reading-answering-question-3.md)
  - [3.1.6 Paper 1: Reading - Answering Question 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/3-1-6-paper-1-reading-answering-question-4.md)
  - [3.1.7 End of Topic Test - Section A](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/3-1-7-end-of-topic-test-section-a.md)
  - [3.1.8 Exam-Style Questions - Paper 1: Reading](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/3-1-8-exam-style-questions-paper-1-reading.md)
  - [3.1.9 Diagnostic Misconceptions - P1 Q2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/3-1-9-diagnostic-misconceptions-p1-q2.md)
  - [3.1.10 Diagnostic Misconceptions - P1 Q3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/3-1-10-diagnostic-misconceptions-p1-q3.md)
  - [3.1.11 Diagnostic Misconceptions - P1 Q4 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/3-1-11-diagnostic-misconceptions-p1-q4-1.md)
  - [3.1.12 Diagnostic Misconceptions - P1 Q4 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/3-1-12-diagnostic-misconceptions-p1-q4-2.md)

### 4 Paper 1: Writing
- 4.1 Paper 1: Writing - Structuring Your Answer
  - [4.1.1 Paper 1: Writing - Overview - Section B](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/4-1-1-paper-1-writing-overview-section-b.md)
  - [4.1.2 Paper 1: Writing - Descriptive Writing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/4-1-2-paper-1-writing-descriptive-writing.md)
  - [4.1.3 Paper 1: Writing - Narrative Writing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/4-1-3-paper-1-writing-narrative-writing.md)
  - [4.1.4 Paper 1: Writing - Answering Section B (option 1)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/4-1-4-paper-1-writing-answering-section-b-option-1.md)
  - [4.1.5 Paper 1: Writing - Answering Section B (option 2)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/4-1-5-paper-1-writing-answering-section-b-option-2.md)
  - [4.1.6 Paper 1: Writing - Answering Section B - Checklist](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/4-1-6-paper-1-writing-answering-section-b-checklist.md)
  - [4.1.7 End of Topic Test - Writing Section](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/4-1-7-end-of-topic-test-writing-section.md)
  - [4.1.8 Exam-Style Questions - Paper 1: Writing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/4-1-8-exam-style-questions-paper-1-writing.md)
  - [4.1.9 Diagnostic Misconceptions - P1 Q5 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/4-1-9-diagnostic-misconceptions-p1-q5-1.md)
  - [4.1.10 Diagnostic Misconceptions - P1 Q5 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/4-1-10-diagnostic-misconceptions-p1-q5-2.md)

### 5 Paper 2: Reading
- 5.1 Paper 2: Reading - DAFORESTER
  - [5.1.1 Paper 2: Reading - Direct Address](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-1-1-paper-2-reading-direct-address.md)
  - [5.1.2 Paper 2: Reading - Alliteration](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-1-2-paper-2-reading-alliteration.md)
  - [5.1.3 Paper 2: Reading - Facts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-1-3-paper-2-reading-facts.md)
  - [5.1.4 Paper 2: Reading - Opinions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-1-4-paper-2-reading-opinions.md)
  - [5.1.5 Paper 2: Reading - Repetition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-1-5-paper-2-reading-repetition.md)
  - [5.1.6 Paper 2: Reading - Exaggeration (Hyperbole)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-1-6-paper-2-reading-exaggeration-hyperbole.md)
  - [5.1.7 Paper 2: Reading - Statistics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-1-7-paper-2-reading-statistics.md)
  - [5.1.8 Paper 2: Reading - Triples (Rule of 3)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-1-8-paper-2-reading-triples-rule-of-3.md)
  - [5.1.9 Paper 2: Reading - Emotive Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-1-9-paper-2-reading-emotive-language.md)
  - [5.1.10 Paper 2: Reading - Rhetorical Questions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-1-10-paper-2-reading-rhetorical-questions.md)
  - [5.1.11 End of Topic Test - DAFORESTER](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-1-11-end-of-topic-test-daforester.md)
- 5.2 Paper 2: Reading - Structuring Your Answer
  - [5.2.1 Paper 2: Reading - Overview - Section A](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-2-1-paper-2-reading-overview-section-a.md)
  - [5.2.2 Paper 2: Reading - Answering Question 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-2-2-paper-2-reading-answering-question-1.md)
  - [5.2.3 Paper 2: Reading - Answering Question 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-2-3-paper-2-reading-answering-question-2.md)
  - [5.2.4 Paper 2: Reading - Answering Question 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-2-4-paper-2-reading-answering-question-3.md)
  - [5.2.5 Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Reading](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-2-5-exam-style-questions-paper-2-reading.md)
  - [5.2.6 Paper 2: Reading - Answering Question 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-2-6-paper-2-reading-answering-question-4.md)
  - [5.2.7 End of Topic Test - Section A](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-2-7-end-of-topic-test-section-a.md)
  - [5.2.8 Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Reading](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-2-8-exam-style-questions-paper-2-reading.md)
  - [5.2.9 Diagnostic Misconceptions - P2 Q1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-2-9-diagnostic-misconceptions-p2-q1.md)
  - [5.2.10 Diagnostic Misconceptions - P2 Q2 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-2-10-diagnostic-misconceptions-p2-q2-1.md)
  - [5.2.11 Diagnostic Misconceptions - P2 Q2 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-2-11-diagnostic-misconceptions-p2-q2-2.md)
  - [5.2.12 Diagnostic Misconceptions - P2 Q4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/5-2-12-diagnostic-misconceptions-p2-q4.md)

### 6 Paper 2: Writing
- 6.1 Paper 2: Writing - Structuring Your Answer
  - [6.1.1 Paper 2: Writing - Overview - Section B](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-1-1-paper-2-writing-overview-section-b.md)
  - [6.1.2 Paper 2: Writing - Answering Section B](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-1-2-paper-2-writing-answering-section-b.md)
  - [6.1.3 Diagnostic Misconceptions - P2 Q5 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-1-3-diagnostic-misconceptions-p2-q5-1.md)
  - [6.1.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - P2 Q5 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-1-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-p2-q5-2.md)
  - [6.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - P2 Q5 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-p2-q5-3.md)
- 6.2 Types of Writing
  - [6.2.1 Paper 2: Writing - Article](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-2-1-paper-2-writing-article.md)
  - [6.2.2 Paper 2: Writing - Essay](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-2-2-paper-2-writing-essay.md)
  - [6.2.3 Paper 2: Writing - Leaflet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-2-3-paper-2-writing-leaflet.md)
  - [6.2.4 Paper 2: Writing - Letter](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-2-4-paper-2-writing-letter.md)
  - [6.2.5 Paper 2: Writing - Speech](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-2-5-paper-2-writing-speech.md)
  - [6.2.6 Paper 2: Writing - Review](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-2-6-paper-2-writing-review.md)
  - [6.2.7 Paper 2: Writing - Travel Writing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-2-7-paper-2-writing-travel-writing.md)
  - [6.2.8 Paper 2: Writing - Diaries & Journals](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-2-8-paper-2-writing-diaries-and-journals.md)
  - [6.2.9 End of Topic Test - Types of Writing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-2-9-end-of-topic-test-types-of-writing.md)
- 6.3 Writing to...
  - [6.3.1 Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Inform](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-3-1-paper-2-writing-writing-to-inform.md)
  - [6.3.2 Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Inform - Example](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-3-2-paper-2-writing-writing-to-inform-example.md)
  - [6.3.3 Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Explain](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-3-3-paper-2-writing-writing-to-explain.md)
  - [6.3.4 Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Explain - Example](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-3-4-paper-2-writing-writing-to-explain-example.md)
  - [6.3.5 Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Persuade](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-3-5-paper-2-writing-writing-to-persuade.md)
  - [6.3.6 Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Persuade - Example](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-3-6-paper-2-writing-writing-to-persuade-example.md)
  - [6.3.7 Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Argue](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-3-7-paper-2-writing-writing-to-argue.md)
  - [6.3.8 Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Argue - Example](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-3-8-paper-2-writing-writing-to-argue-example.md)
  - [6.3.9 Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Persuade vs Writing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-3-9-paper-2-writing-writing-to-persuade-vs-writing.md)
  - [6.3.10 Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Advise](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-3-10-paper-2-writing-writing-to-advise.md)
  - [6.3.11 Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Advise - Example](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-3-11-paper-2-writing-writing-to-advise-example.md)
  - [6.3.12 End of Topic Test - Writing to...](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-3-12-end-of-topic-test-writing-to.md)
  - [6.3.13 Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-language/aqa/6-3-13-exam-style-questions-paper-2-writing.md)