In the context of the book’s plot, the first-person point of view is vital because the book is based on an event that the main character witnessed. So, the plot moves based on the main character’s emotions after the event.

The first-person point of view affects the reader in various ways. Firstly, the story is told from the main character’s (first-person) point of view. If the story was told from, let’s say third-person, the story would sound like it is being narrated and not as many emotions would be conveyed throughout the book.

Textual Examples:

       “So? I’m still hungry.”

        P. 87

In the context of the book’s plot, the dialogue is vital because this book needs interaction to keep the plot moving forward. This book wouldn’t make much sense if it was a single-person story. Having dialogue lets the reader know what the characters are thinking.

Textual Evidence:

The dialogue affects the reader in various ways. The reader can identify the conflict which reveals the plot for the book. The reader can also identify emotions and thoughts.

Textual Evidence:

Simple sentences are helpful in the book’s plot because they convey simple messages in short actions.

Textual Evidence:

The dialogue impacts the reader by letting the reader in with the character’s emotions, feelings and thoughts. This allows the reader to predict the future of the plot and understand the emotions of the characters.

Textual Evidence:

         “Ay!” Daddy says. “King, man,      just go! Leave a’ight?”

    “You ol’ hag,” Iesha snarls. 

    “Got some nerve treating my man  like this after he offered to pay for this funeral.” P. 131

   “You up?” I type quickly.

I get a response.

   “Yeah. You okay? You’re never up this late.”

Chris still doesn’t know that I know- knew Khalil. I feel like I should lie and blame it on my period. But even on my period, I sleep a lot. Oh well. It will have to do. He’s a boy anyways. He wouldn’t ask follow up questions.

Chris is the cutest. He’ll do anything to make me happy. That’s how it should be.

I lay back down, this time on my right side.

   “Yes, please.”

Damn it. He’s cute but he’s smart too. Why is having a smart boyfriend a blessing and a curse?

I should probably tell him.

   “Ok. You got me. I’m traumatized.”

I hope I didn’t just make a mistake.

  “About what?”

“My friend was murdered last week, and I’m the only witness besides the cop that killed him.”

I start to tear up. I never thought I would lose Khalil. He was my other half. Losing him is like losing the twin brother I never had. I can only imagine that Chris is trying to come up with a way to help me. I regret telling him. It was better off when I hid that from him.

Starr.

Starr.

I jump up. I wake up to Momma looking down at me.

“Child, you have to go to school! What are you waiting for Munch?”

I got up and rushed to the bathroom. I’m so glad that was a dream. I hope it stays that way.

Sentence Explanations:

"I flashback to the moment when Khalil was murdered."

In this sentence, I show the author’s point-of-view. Which is first-person. First-person point of view is when a story is told from the I/We perspective.

In this sentence, I reveal another element of the author’s style which is a simple sentence. A simple sentence a sentence that contains one subject and a predicate.

"I grab my phone from my nightstand."

Here, I show another element of style; which is dialogue. Dialogue is a conversation between two or more people.