Writing - Point Of View

Through Animal Eyes

We have been working on writing from a point of view. 

We wrote as if we were an animal. 

All animals would have a different point of view in any given 

situation. The tiger stalking and sneaking up in it's prey has 

a different point of view to the deer, who is cautious 

and on guard at all times.

We wanted the reader to feel what the animal is feeling. 

We wanted to carefully set the scene.

We wanted to share what the animal was sensing.

We wanted to provide a purpose to what the animal is doing.

We wanted to use strong, specific adjectives to highlight the types of action.

We wanted to write in present tense. The action is happening now.

The Eagle

Wind ruffles my feathers, as I scan the dusty, dry horizon. Rising warm air currents make circling the skies easy. My stomach growls, begging for food. I haven’t seen anything larger than a mouse in days.

Vultures up ahead have it easy. Animals are dropping in this oppressive heat like flies, exhausted, and hungry for food. Vultures always have it easy; never having to kill their next meal, always having it handed to them, like on a plate.


A scurry in the dust to the right. I turn for a better view, cocking my head to one side, focusing my keen eye on any movement. I fluff my tail feathers out, slowing my progress. I sweep around for another look.

There! A long way from shelter, heading for the dried river bed. A hare, limping, dragging a hind leg.

I pull my wings in closer to my body. My smooth, sweeping  glide turns into an accelerated nose dive. At the last split second I thrust my talons out, ripping and tearing at the flesh of my victim, my next meal.