4 Writing Perspectives Every Writer Must Know
A Brief discussion of the pros and cons of different writing perspectives
3/17/20243 min read
Introduction
Many readers and writers know that the point of view a story is told in is very important. Who tells the story and how it's told can shape the narrative dramatically. The POV can create tension, comedic irony, and much more. There are a few perspectives used in fictional writing, and in this post, we will discuss them and the pros and cons of each one.
First Person
The first-person point of view is common and widely used. It is similar to how we narrate stories in everyday life, such as saying, "I went to the store." In this perspective, one of the characters narrates the story. Using this POV is a great way to immerse readers in the character's thoughts. However, it can be limited due to its focus on the thoughts of one character. Readers can only know what the character knows. First person POV is the one I write in the most and feel most comfortable with. My first novel was written in first person past tense. However, I would like to try writing in the third person POV. I think it would be challenging for me and would complement the genres I would like to explore in my short stories.
Second Person
The second-person view is not commonly used. It is centered around the pronoun "you," such as "you should listen." Second person POV is challenging to write in and for readers to focus on. Since it is challenging, it is more commonly used in shorter styles of writing like poetry, song lyrics, and also video games. It is more common in nonfiction works such as self-help books and blog posts. One well-known work that uses the second point of view is "Self-Help" by Lorrie Moore. When the second POV is done well, it can create a strong connection with readers. If it's done poorly, it can alienate them.
Third Person Limited
The third-person limited POV is commonly used. The pronouns used in this POV are he, his, her, hers, theirs. The narrator can only follow the thoughts of one character at a time. In some stories, the narrator would change the perspective to another character in another chapter. Third person POV can be engaging and allows the reader to get to know the characters from a distance. However, this POV can be hard to create compelling characters with.
Third Person Omniscient
The third person omniscient POV is just as popular as the third person limited POV. The difference between these two POVs is that the omniscient POV is not limited to one person's perspective. The narrator is "all-knowing" and can reveal anything that has happened or will happen in the story. It is a popular POV because the narrator can focus on more than one character's perspective. However, this POV can take away some focus on the characters and relies on the narrator's voice. An example of a story that uses this POV is "The Chronicles of Narnia." This POV is commonly used in fantasy due to its ability to allow writers to focus on world-building instead of one character's perspective.
Conclusion
These four perspectives each have their own benefits and challenges. Different POVs are better for certain genres or stories, but no matter the POV, they can help create engaging stories. As a writer, I want to explore writing in different POVs. I know that branching out from using the first person POV will benefit my craft. What POV do you use when you write? Which is your favorite?
Sources:
1. Reedsy Blog: Guide to Point of View
- Link: [https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/point-of-view/](https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/point-of-view/)
2. MasterClass: Complete Guide to Point of View in Writing