* First-person narration: The story is told from the perspective of a character within the story, using "I" or "we." The reader only experiences the events through this character's eyes and understanding. This creates a more intimate and subjective experience. Example: "I walked down the street, feeling the chill wind on my face."
* Third-person narration: The story is told from the perspective of an outside observer. This can be further subdivided:
* Third-person omniscient: The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all the characters in the story. This provides a broad perspective and allows the reader to understand multiple viewpoints. Example: "Sarah felt a surge of excitement, while John secretly worried about the consequences."
* Third-person limited: The narrator focuses on the thoughts and feelings of only one character. The reader only has access to this character's internal world, similar to first-person, but told from an outside perspective. Example: "Sarah felt a surge of excitement, her heart pounding in her chest."
The choice of narration significantly affects how the reader experiences and interprets the story. The author's selection will be driven by their purpose in telling the story and the kind of connection they want to establish with the reader.