Here's a breakdown:
* The narrator is a character in the story: They are directly involved in the events and can only tell you what they see, hear, feel, and think.
* The story is told from their perspective: The reader experiences the world through the narrator's eyes and understands the events based on their understanding and biases.
Examples:
* "I woke up to the sound of rain drumming on my window."
* "He looked at me with a smile, but I knew he was hiding something."
Key features of first-person narration:
* Personal and intimate: The reader gets a close, personal view of the events.
* Limited perspective: The reader only knows what the narrator knows.
* Subjective: The narrator's thoughts, feelings, and opinions shape the story.
Contrast with other perspectives:
* Second person: Uses "you" to directly address the reader (e.g., "You walk into the room and see a strange figure").
* Third person: Uses "he," "she," "they" to describe characters and events from an outside perspective (e.g., "He walked into the room and saw a strange figure").
First-person narration is a powerful technique that can create a strong connection between the reader and the story. It allows the writer to explore the inner world of a character and create a sense of immediacy and intimacy.