If you’re an avid reader or an aspiring author, you probably know that there’s a number of different points of view you and other fellow writers can use when crafting their stories. All of them have their pros and cons, with certain types of POV being more popular than others.
A second person point of view is one of those. While not that common, you can still encounter it in some works, so knowing about what it entails and what’s its purpose can be very beneficial in deciding whether it is a good option for your story. So, what is second person POV? Let’s talk about it.
What Is a Second Person Point of View?
When a book is written from a second-person point of view, it uses “you” or “your” pronouns. Although it might sound unnatural if your main readings are fiction, a second person point of view is often utilized in self-help books.
This POV breaks the fourth wall, in many cases placing the reader as the main character or at least someone in the story around whom the events are happening.
While in most cases a second person point of view is used to address the reader, there are some cases in which authors use it to address another character as if they were speaking or writing to them.
Why Use Second Person Point of View
If you’re still considering which form of narration to use, there are a few reasons working in favor of the second person point of view.
- It brings the reader closer to the story. As the reader takes on the role of a character in the story, it makes them much more invested in it than if they were just a mere observer.
- It distances the narrator from the story. While the first person point of view is meant to be personal, the second person perspective is used to put some distance between the narrator of the story and the story itself.
- It reinforces the story. When used appropriately, in the sense that you use it in stories that actually need it and in which second person POV enriches the experience, using this form of narration can strengthen what is being said.
When to Use Second Person POV
Writing from a second person point of view is without a doubt challenging, so use it when you want the reader to be fully invested in the story, or when you wish for the narrator to have someone to address. In other cases, consider other types of point of view.
Also, using a second person point of view is more recommended for short stories or portions of a book instead of an entire novel, as it can become overwhelming for the reader.
Can You Use Other POVs As Well?
Yes, there’s no writing rule that tells you that you have to stick to one type of point of view. However, keep in mind to do it mindfully, so as to not overwhelm the reader.
Why Do Many Authors Avoid Using Second Person POV?
While second person POV is available to authors, many decide against using it in their work, and there are a few reasons for that:
First of all, a second person point of view is not common in books, so most readers have probably never encountered a book written using it. The novelty can negatively affect their experience with what they are reading.
As it is not something a lot of authors use, getting your book using second person POV to be published can be harder compared to books written in first or third person point of view. Many publishers are worried about whether they’ll be able to sell those books, so they avoid the possibility of that happening by not publishing them at all or very rarely.
Finally, there aren’t that many stories that actually require this form of narrative, so when faced with a decision, most authors simply go for other POVs.
How to Write in Second Person POV
The simple answer is practice – there’s not much that can help you more than practicing by rewriting sentences of sections of books written in first or third person point of view into second point of view to get familiar with the structure so that once you start writing your own story, it comes to you naturally,
Make sure you don’t fall into the trap of repetition. When writing using “you”, it can be very easy to overuse the pronoun, which, to put it simply, might bore the reader. Very few people enjoy reading pieces written like “You did this. Then you did that. After you did this.” Try to balance addressing the reader with narrative flow.
Practice the old tale of “show don’t tell.” The reader doesn’t want to be told what the character feels – they want to feel it through their actions, thoughts and reactions. Provide your reader with a highly sensory experience.
Also, familiarize yourself with already published examples of 2nd POV to see how other people wrote their work. While the selection might not be that extensive, you might still be able to find something for yourself.
Finally, just like with other types of point of view, remember that it’s not you who’s telling the story – it’s the narrator, so ensuring the voice you’re using is suitable for them is crucial. Make sure that it reflects their personality and experiences.
Is Second Person POV the Best Choice for My Story?
Are you unsure which kind of narration will be the best option for your story? There are a few things to consider that can make this decision slightly easier.
- Length and scope of your story
First of all, think about what kind of story you are writing – are you going to keep it short and sweet with a short story, or maybe go deeper with a novel? Or maybe you already have ideas for a whole book series? Establishing what kind of fiction (if any, as maybe you wish to go a non-fiction route) you want to pursue can be very helpful in establishing the right point of view.
If you’re going for a novel or book series, using a second person point of view is not the best idea. As mentioned, not only might your readers not feel comfortable reading a book written that way, but also you might have a hard time finding a publisher.
If you do want to use this point of view, consider mixing it with either first or third person point of view while at it.
- Emotional impact on the reader
Do you want your story to have a large emotional impact on your reader? If so, first and second person point of view will be the best choice, with second person POV being the most intimate kind of narration. Your reader is not just a bystander or someone who follows the story through someone else’s eyes – THEY are the main characters.
Second person POV is also great for when you want to make your readers think and consider their own biases and decisions they would’ve made when placed in situations you describe in your work. “Would I resolve the issue the same way the character in the story did?”, “What would I do if the same thing happened to me?” – these are some questions you might want your readers to ask themselves after reading your work.
Examples of Second Person POV
Here are some examples of second person POV from already published books to give you an idea how it looks in a published work.
You are amongst them, of course. Your curiosity got the better of you, as curiosity is wont to do. You stand in the fading light, the scarf around your neck pulled up against the chilly evening breeze, waiting to see for yourself exactly what kind of circus only opens once the sun sets.
The ticket booth clearly visible behind the gates is closed and barred. The tents are still, save for when they ripple ever so slightly in the wind. The only movement within the circus is the clock that ticks by the passing minutes, if such a wonder of sculpture can even be called a clock.
The circus looks abandoned and empty. But you think perhaps you can smell caramel wafting through the evening breeze, beneath the crisp scent of the autumn leaves. A subtle sweetness at the edges of the cold.
Excerpt from Erin Morgenstern, The Night Circus
To be or not to be. That is the question.
When you were a girl in Vietnam, the neighborhood kids would take a spoon to your arms, shouting, “Get the white off her, get the white off her!” Eventually you learned to swim. Wading deep into the muddy river, where no one could reach you, no one could scrape you away. You made yourself an island for hours at a time. Coming home, your jaw would clatter from cold, your arms pruned and blistered— but still white.
When asked how he identifies his roots, Tiger Woods called himself “Cablinasian,” a portmanteau he invented to contain his ethnic makeup of Chinese, Thai, Black, Dutch, and Native American.
To be or not to be. That is the question. A question, yes, but not a choice.
Excerpt from Ocean Vuong, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous – This is an interesting case, as rather than addressing the reader, the author uses a second person point of view to address another character – his mother.
You’re still trying to decide who to be. The self you’ve been lately doesn’t make sense anymore; that woman died with Uche. She’s not useful, unobtrusive as she is, quiet as she is, ordinary as she is. Not when such extraordinary things have happened.
But you still don’t know where Nassun is buried, if Jija bothered to bury her. Until you’ve said farewell to your daughter, you have to remain the mother that she loved.
So you decide not to wait for death to come.
Excerpt from N.K. Jemisin, The Fifth Season
The Bottom Line
Picking the right point of view to use in your book is crucial as it can be a deciding factor in whether the reader will enjoy it or not really. While a second person point of view might not be the most popular type, there are still situations where using it can be very beneficial.
However, the point of view is just one thing to consider when writing a book or a short story. Don’t hesitate to take a look at our book writing section and learn useful information for when you decide to start creating your own story – and once your work is done, take advantage of our free rich-text editor to improve your manuscript further so that it’s ready for when the story isn’t yours anymore.
