Point of view refers to who is telling or narrating a story. A story can be told from the first person, second person or third person point of view (POV). Writers use POV to express the personal emotions of either themselves or their characters.

Here are the four primary POV types in fiction:

• First person point of view. First person is when “I” am telling the story.
• Second person point of view.
• Third person point of view, limited.
• Third person point of view, omniscient.

The three primary points of view are first person, in which the narrator tells a story from their own perspective (“I went to the store”); second person, in which the narrator tells a story about you, the reader or viewer (“You went to the store”); and third person, in which the narrator tells a story about other …

A prime example of the third-person omniscient point of view is Leo Tolstoy’s renowned and character-heavy novel “Anna Karenina” which is told from multiple points of view.

What Is Second Person POV in Writing? Second person point of view uses the pronoun “you” to address the reader. This narrative voice implies that the reader is either the protagonist or a character in the story and the events are happening to them.

First, second, and third person are ways of describing points of view. First person is the I/we perspective. Second person is the you perspective. Third person is the he/she/it/they perspective.

1. Second person pulls the reader into the action. Especially if you write in the present tense, second person allows the reader to experience the story as if it’s their own. Using the pronoun “you” and describing action as it happens supplies a personal sense of urgency, propelling the story—and the reader—forward.

If it uses “you,” “your,” or “yours” as pronouns, then you have a second-person point of view. If it uses “he,” she,” “it,” “they,” “him,” “hers,” “them,” “their,” “his,” “its,” or “theirs” as pronouns, then you have a third-person point of view.

When writing in the second person, address the reader directly. This type of writing feels personal to the reader. Use ‘you’ and ‘your’. “When you see a monster, you should tell them to tidy up.”

Second-person pronouns can be used as subject pronouns, object pronouns, or possessive pronouns. This simply means that the words ‘you,’ ‘your,’ and ‘yours’ can be used in different parts of a sentence.

Second person narrative is rare, but it gives the reader a sense of purpose. It gives the impression that it’s the reader him/herself going on a journey, not some random fictional character. In other words, it implies that the events of the plot are happening directly to the reader.

The Pros And Cons Of Writing In Second Person

• It creates an intrusive intimacy. There is a closeness with your reader that is, well, shudder-inducing.
• This has a vice-versa effect. It is also easier to distance yourself.
• It can be confusing. You also run the risk of confusing your reader and it can become exhausting and feel relentless.

Avoid using first person pronouns—“I,” “me,” “my,” “mine,” “myself,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “ours.” When you’ve finished writing and are self-editing your first draft, make sure to check for POV consistency. In third-person limited , remember that the narrator only knows what the character knows.

When a writer wants the reader to not only live vicariously through the main character but become the protagonist themselves, second person is a good option. It provides the richest sensory experience of any of the points of view because the reader is in the story.

The primary advantage to writing fiction in the third person (using the pronouns he, she, they, etc.) is it allows the writer to act as an omniscient narrator. Information can be given to the reader about every character and situation, whether or not the individual characters know anything about it.

The advantage of third person is that the author can write from a broader perspective. The disadvantage is that it can be difficult to establish connection with the reader. Third Person Limited – This point of view is limited to one character. The narrator only experiences what this one character experiences.

The biggest advantage of first person point of view is how deeply it delves into the mind of the narrator. No other point of view is as close. In first person, the reader gets to see all of the narrator’s thoughts, feelings, and knowledge.

If you want to write the entire story in individual, quirky language, choose first person. If you want to describe your character from the outside as well as give her thoughts, choose either close or distant third person. If you want to intersperse the author’s opinions with the character’s, choose distant third.

There is no rule that says that all parts of a story must be written in the same POV. Diana Gabaldon’s bestselling novel Dragonfly in Amber mixed first person and third person POV throughout the story. If you execute your story well, you can switch between first person and third person smoothly.

A rare form of the first person is the first person omniscient, in which the narrator is a character in the story, but also knows the thoughts and feelings of all the other characters. It can seem like third person omniscient at times.

Rowling wrote all seven Harry Potter books using a third person limited point of view that made Harry the focal point. The narrator can tell us what Harry’s thinking, feeling, and seeing—as well as zoom out to tell us more about the precarious situations he finds himself in.

Harry Potter isn’t only written in third-person limited; it slips into moments that feel more like third-person omniscient. With omniscient, the audience is watching the events unfold from an aerial view.

When you are writing in the third person, the story is about other people. Not yourself or the reader. Use the character’s name or pronouns such as ‘he’ or ‘she’. “He sneakily crept up on them.

8 Tips for Writing in Third-Person Point of View

1. Choose the best type of third-person POV for your story.
2. Use third-person pronouns.
3. Switch viewpoint characters strategically.
4. Choose your viewpoint character carefully.
5. Avoid slipping into first-person POV.
6. In third-person limited , remember that the narrator only knows what the character knows.

Third person limited is where the narrator can only reveal the thoughts, feelings, and understanding of a single character at any given time — hence, the reader is “limited” to that perspective character’s mind. For instance: Karen couldn’t tell if her boss was lying. Aziz started to panic.

Third person pronouns include: he, she, it; his, her, its; him, her, it; himself, herself, itself; they; them; their; themselves. Names of other people are also considered appropriate for third person use. Example: “Smith believes differently.