Any seasoned writer knows that the story itself is not enough to create something captivating. It’s how we tell those stories that makes great writing and can define the relationship between the narrator and the reader.
If you want to master the topic of points of view in writing, you’re in the right place.
The Points of View – Why They Matter
What is a point of view in a story? In the simplest terms, point of view is the perspective from which a story is told. It determines who narrates the events and how much information the reader receives.
In most writing, we will encounter four main points of view:
- First Person
- Third Person Omniscient
- Third Person Limited
- Second Person
There’s also the fourth point of view, which is a more experimental technique that concerns the collective perspective. It’s not a commonly seen narration type, but we will cover its basics in this article as well.
We’ll explain each of the points of view in detail below, but first, let’s stop at the very crucial question you should be asking. Namely, why is point of view important?
The POV determines how the reader perceives the events and characters. While first person POV narrators are like an open book, the third person POV can create a more significant distance between the reader and the characters, highlighting certain themes or information that’d be lost or harder to deduce otherwise.
The choice of point of view influences:
- Tone: It impacts the overall mood and atmosphere of the story.
- Information: It controls how much information the reader receives and when.
- Engagement: It can create a sense of intimacy or distance between the reader and the characters.
- Characterization: It reveals the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of the characters.
Safe to say, before you become a bestselling author, you have some important decisions to make. But how to know which point of view suits your story best? To answer this question, let’s break down each POV type and its characteristics.
First Person Point of View
The first-person point of view is easy to identify. It’s used when a character is also the narrator. Therefore, this POV uses first-person pronouns, such as:
- I, me, my, mine
- we, us, our, ours
First person POV offers a fantastic vessel for creating intimacy, revealing the character’s feelings, thoughts, and experiences in a very direct and impactful way. That’s probably why this POV is especially liked by YA, where building that intimate connection between a young protagonist and their peer audience can be especially important for the story to have the intended effect.
Advantages of First Person POV
Intimacy: Readers experience the story through the eyes of a character, creating a sense of closeness and personal connection.
Voice: The narrator’s unique voice, style, and personality can make the story memorable and engaging.
Authenticity: The narrator’s voice and perspective can make the story feel more authentic and relatable.
Things To Consider
Limited Perspective: Remember that the narrator can only see, hear, and experience what they do. This can limit the reader’s understanding of the broader story or other characters’ perspectives.
Characterization: Be careful not to overload the reader with too much information about the narrator. Remember the golden rule – show, don’t tell, to reveal their character through their actions and interactions. This is something to pay attention to when you’re editing your book.
Pacing: First person narration can sometimes be slower, as readers experience the story through the narrator’s eyes. Be mindful of pacing and avoid information dumps.
First Person Point of View Examples
- “I can’t believe I forgot my phone at home again.”
- “We decided to go for a hike in the mountains.”
- “My heart pounded in my chest as I approached the stage.”
- “I’m not sure what to do next. It’s like I’m standing at a crossroads.”
Third Person Point of View
Perhaps the most popular (especially in modern literature), the third person point of view is a narrative perspective in which the story is told by an outside narrator, not a character within the story. This narrator can either have a limited perspective, focusing on the thoughts and feelings of one character, or an omniscient perspective, knowing the thoughts and feelings of all characters.
In writing with the third person POV, we will often encounter third-person pronouns, such as:
- He, him, his
- She, her, hers
- It, its
- They, them, their, theirs
Third Person Limited
Liked by many authors, third-person limited narration involves a narrator who is outside the story but focuses on the thoughts and feelings of one character. This is what sets it apart from the third-person omniscient point of view, which offers the reader insights into multiple characters’ thoughts and feelings at the same time.
In this type of narration, similar to the first-person point of view, the reader only learns what the focused character knows and experiences. However, while the narrator can provide insights into the character’s thoughts and feelings in the third person limited POV, they are not directly experiencing the events. This means there’s a certain level of separation between the characters and the narration.
Examples of Third Person Limited POV
- “Sarah’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She felt overwhelmed by the weight of her responsibilities and the uncertainty of the future.”
- “Alex paced back and forth, his hands clasped behind his back. He knew he had to make a choice, but he was afraid of the consequences.”
- “As the thunder roared and the rain poured down, Ethan huddled under the old oak tree, his heart pounding in his chest.”
Advantages of Third Person Limited POV
Depth of Character: Readers gain a deeper understanding of the focused character’s thoughts, feelings, and motivations.
Focus and Direction: The limited perspective can help to focus the story and give it a clear direction.
Mystery and Suspense: By limiting the reader’s knowledge to what the focused character knows, you can create a sense of mystery and suspense.
Things To Consider
Limited Perspective: We are confined to one character and their feelings at a time. This is useful when limited access to information propels the action, but it can also pose a challenge. For example, if the main character is unreliable.
Pacing: The limited perspective can sometimes slow down the pace of the story, as readers are confined to the character’s thoughts and experiences.
Third Person Omniscient
Third person omniscient, as you already know, is quite similar to the third person limited POV. The only difference is the omniscient narrator knows and talks about the thoughts and feelings of all characters. This provides a broader view of the events and allows the reader to see the story from multiple perspectives.
If you’re the type of writer who doesn’t want to be confined by more rigid rules of narration, you might find this type particularly enjoyable. With third person omniscient narration, there are no real limits to the type of information the narrator can access and convey.
Examples of Third Person Omniscient POV
- “As Alex walked down the street, unaware of the admiring glances from across the street, Sarah’s heart raced. She had been crushing on him for months and finally mustered up the courage to confess her feelings.”
- “As the band took the stage, the crowd erupted in cheers. Little did they know that the lead singer, who had always been shy, had a hidden talent for performing.”
- “Deep in the heart of the ancient forest, a hidden treasure lay buried beneath a centuries-old oak tree. Unbeknownst to the villagers, a secret map to the treasure was hidden in the attic of the old inn.”
Advantages of Third Person Omniscient POV
Broad Perspective: The narrator can provide a comprehensive view of the story, exploring the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters.
Full Control: The narrator can fully control the flow of information, revealing details gradually or all at once.
Objectivity: The narrator can offer an objective perspective on the events, providing a sense of distance and detachment.
Things To Consider
Overwhelm: The narrator’s ability to access the thoughts and feelings of all characters can sometimes lead to an information overload.
Distance: The narrator’s omniscient perspective creates distance between the reader and the characters, making it harder to connect with them on a personal level.
Complexity: This POV can be complex to execute effectively, requiring careful planning and execution to avoid confusing the reader.
Second Person Point of View
Second person point of view is quite a unique narrative perspective that directly addresses the reader using “you.” As such, it’s not widely used in most traditional literary works, although we can encounter it more often in the non-fiction genre, for example, self-help books. Interactive fiction or choose-your-own-adventure stories also rely on the second person POV.
Advantages of Second Person POV
Involvement: The reader is placed in the role of the character, creating a sense of immersion.
Intimacy: This perspective can create a sense of intimacy and connection between the reader and the narrator.
Relatability: In fiction, the reader can easily relate to the character, as they are essentially playing the role.
Things To Consider
Distance: While the direct address can create a sense of intimacy, it can also feel intrusive or limiting, especially if the reader doesn’t identify with the implied character.
Consistency: Because second-person POV is not as commonly used point of view, maintaining a consistent tone and perspective throughout a longer work can be challenging.
Universality: The direct address can make it difficult to appeal to a wide range of readers, as most are not used to this type of narration, especially in fiction.
Second Person Point of View Examples
- “You begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.”
- “You feel a pang of guilt as you remember the promise you made to your friend.”
- “Imagine yourself living in a world without pollution. You can breathe clean air and enjoy the beauty of nature.”
Fourth Person Point of View
The fourth person point of view is the least common one, but still, it’s worth explaining how it is used in writing. It is often characterized by the use of “one,” “we,” or “our” to describe the collective experience or perspective of a group. Additionally, the telltale sign that this point of view is utilized is when you see the indefinite pronouns in the narration, such as:
- Someone
- Somebody
- One
- Oneself
- One’s
- Anyone
- Anybody
- No one
- Some
- Any
- All
- None
It’s not uncommon to see the fourth person point of view being used with another narration type, for example, the first person POV.
Advantages of Fourth Person POV
Focus on Collective Experience: Fourth person can effectively explore themes of community, societal norms, and shared experiences. By focusing on the collective “they,” the narrator can delve into the commonalities and challenges faced by a group of people.
Unique Storytelling Style: The unconventional nature of the fourth person can make a story stand out and create a memorable reading experience. It can be a bold and innovative choice for authors seeking to experiment with different narrative techniques.
Things To Consider
Lack of Character Connection: Because the fourth person often focuses on the collective rather than individuals, it can be difficult for readers to connect emotionally with the characters. This can make the story feel less personal and engaging.
Potential for Overuse: If used excessively, fourth person can become repetitive or monotonous. We recommend balancing the use of fourth person with other narrative perspectives to create a more dynamic and engaging story.
Fourth Person Point of View Examples
- “One could feel the tension in the air as they gathered for the protest.”
- “Somebody left the lights on in the office.”
- “Anybody is welcome to join our club.”
- “We stood together, our hearts heavy with grief.”
How To Choose the Right Point of View for Your Story?
Before you start writing your next record-breaking novel, let’s consider what narration perspective would be the perfect fit for what you’re trying to achieve. Here are some of the criteria you can use to help you make a decision.
Story’s Complexity, Structure and Pace
Some POV types, like first or third person limited, can work well for simpler or more common plot structures and pacing. First person offers the most intimate perspective and, if used well, can create a sense of immediacy and urgency, which is often desirable in fast-paced stories.
The third-person omniscient works well for complex plots with multiple characters and storylines. It allows the narrator to jump between different perspectives and provides needed context. It can also be a great choice for nonlinear story structures, allowing the narrator to jump between different time periods or perspectives.
The theme of the story can also influence the choice of POV. For example, if the theme is isolation or introspection, first person might be the best choice.
Genre
Of course, you can take a page out of those who came before you, adhering to commonly used conventions in a genre you’re writing in. Some great examples?
- Science Fiction and Fantasy: Third person limited or omniscient can be effective for exploring vast worlds and complex characters. On the other hand, going with the first person means you can provide a more grounded perspective from a single character.
- Horror: First person creates a sense of isolation and fear, immersing the reader in the protagonist’s terrifying experiences. Third person can also be used to build suspense and reveal the supernatural elements.
- Romance: In this genre, first person provides a deeply personal and emotional perspective, allowing readers to connect with the characters, making the story that much more impactful. Third person can also be used to explore multiple characters’ perspectives and relationships, adding excitement and increasing the stakes.
- Mystery and Thriller: In those stories, using third person limited can be particularly effective for revealing clues and maintaining suspense. But you can also choose the first person to create a sense of intimacy and suspense.
Audience Expectations
Audience expectations are important to consider, whether you want to meet them or the contrary – subvert them.
If you’re writing in a genre that typically relies on particular narrative perspectives, you can use that to your advantage either by following them to offer the reader exactly what they expect or going in a less common direction, intriguing your audience.
Remember to be consequent!
Changing the narrative perspective in the middle of a sentence can introduce a lot of confusion. Unless that’s a deliberate choice, stick to one narration type throughout your story. Your readers will thank you!
Can You Switch the Point of View?
Except in cases where your work is meant to push boundaries, abruptly switching POVs is considered a big no-no (especially if done unintentionally).
Sometimes, switching POV serves a purpose; for example, switching to the second person POV creates a moment of reflection for a reader, like asking them a question to highlight the character’s emotional state.
Still, you should be very mindful about using this literary device – don’t confuse the reader if that’s not what you want to do.
Final Note
The world of narration can be a fantastic playground for you as a writer. Use this knowledge well, and you will create a story that’s emotionally impactful, thought-provoking, or even groundbreaking.
The most important part is to use different POV types intentionally. Be sure of what you’re trying to say and which narrative perspective suits your goal best.
Hungry for more? Voxtury blog is a great place to access more similar resources to perfect your writing and find valuable tools!
