1.) Does the narrator speak in the first, second, or third person?
It depends the narrator’s standpoint in the story, and the grammatical person the voice assumes. The narrator could speak in all kinds of different ways, it just depends on the story.
2.) Is the story narrated in the past or present tense? Does the verb tense affect your reading of it in any way?
Either tense is used. Stories written in the present tense can give the impression of immediacy, or of state that is not effected by the passage of time. So, yes, it does affect my reading of it, because past tense is more focused on memory, when present tense makes you feel more in the now.
3.) Does the narrator use a distinctive vocabulary, style, and tone, or is the language more standard and neutral?
Yes, most narrators use these three things. The style and tone can be anything that the author wants it to be.
4. Is the narrator identified as a character, and if so, how much does he or she participate in the action?
The narrator can be identified as a character. We can normally hear all of their thoughts and we know their every move throughout the story.
5.) Does the narrator ever seem to speak to the reader directly (addressing “you”) or explicitly state opinions or values?
Narrators that speak directly to “you” are known as second-person narrators. This type of narration is rarely used but it can turn the reader into a character in the story.
6.) Do you know what every character is thinking, or only some characters, or none?
If the story is in first person then you will know what one of the characters is thinking, usually the main character. A limited narrator may reveal the thoughts of some characters to add to the story.
7.) Does the narrative voice or focus shift during the story or remain consistent?
No, the voice remains consistent.
8.) Do the narrator, the characters, and the reader all perceive matters in the same way, or are there differences in levels of understanding?
There are definitely differences in the levels of understanding. Sometimes the reader never knows what some characters in stories are thinking, or how they feel, which keeps them from fully understanding.
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