The Ultimate Guide To POV

By: Jason Hamilton

The Ultimate Guide to Point of View by Jason Hamilton

If you're interested in writing, you've probably heard the term "point of view" thrown around a lot. But what exactly is point of view, and why is it so important in writing? Point of view, or POV, refers to the perspective from which a story is told. This means that the events of the story are seen and narrated through the eyes of a speciOic character, or sometimes even an outside observer.

But, why is POV important?

The choice of POV can have a big impact on how the reader perceives the story, and can even affect the way the reader connects with the characters. That's why it's important to carefully consider which point of view is the best Oit for your story.

In this guide, we'll be taking a closer look at the different types of point of view and how to choose the right one for your story.

There are multiple POVs you can choose to write in:

• First person

• Second person

• Third person limited

• Third person omniscient

• Fourth person (yes, this is a thing)

Let’s walk through each of these one by one.

1. First Person Point of View

First person point of view is a narrative mode in which the story is told from the perspective of a character using the pronouns "I", “me”, “mine”, etc. This means the events of the story are seen and narrated through the eyes of one character, and the reader is able to experience the story through their perspective.

Here are some examples of sentences written in Oirst person point of view:

• “I walked into the room and saw a strange man standing by the window.”

• “I decided to go for a hike in the mountains, even though it was raining.”

• “I couldn't believe what I was hearing - my best friend had betrayed me.”

You’ll see this type of writing all over Oiction, and certain types of nonOiction. See this example from "The Catcher in the Rye", by J. D. Salinger:

“If you really want to hear about it, the Oirst thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David

CopperOield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.”

In these examples, the story is being narrated by the character using Oirst person pronouns, allowing the reader to experience the events through their perspective.

Pros:

It allows the reader to experience the story directly through the eyes of the narrator. Creates a strong sense of connection and intimacy. Provides a unique perspective and voice for the narration.

Great for introspective or self-reOlective stories. Can provide authority in nonOiction writing.

Cons:

It can be limiting, as the reader is only able to see and experience what the narrator can see and experience. Can result in an unreliable narrator, where the reader cannot trust the narration based on the narrator’s bias (this is sometimes a good thing).

No objectivity or detachment.

It’s easy to fall into telling instead of showing.

2. Second Person Point of View

Second person point of view is a narrative mode in which the story is told from the perspective of "you". This means the narrator addresses the reader directly as "you" and describes the events of the story as if they are happening to the reader instead of the character. While uncommon in Oiction, you will see it in choose your own adventure novels, self-help books, or video game writing. Here are three examples of second person point of view:

• “You Oind yourself standing at the entrance of a dark, spooky cave. Do you…”

• "You can improve your conOidence by setting small, achievable goals."

• “You are a brave knight on a quest to defeat the evil sorcerer who has taken over the kingdom. You approach a fork in the road, and you see a sign that says…”

Usually, second person point of view is used in nonOiction or choose your own adventure books, but you will occasionally see it in Oiction, as with this popular example of "Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas", by Tom Robbins:

"‘This is the worst day of my life,' you say, as you drop a salted peanut into your double martini—on better days, you drink white wine—and watch it sink. It spirals downward more slowly, more gracefully, than your own plunging fortunes, the pretty little gin bubbles that gather around the peanut a marked contrast to the lumps and burrs and stinging things that are attaching themselves to your heart."

Pros:

It can be used to give the reader a sense of agency and control over the events of the story, such as in a choose your own adventure novel or video game.

It can create intimacy, connecting and talking directly to the reader.

It can make your book stand out.

It can result in a strong narrative voice.

Cons:

It can be a little disconcerting in Oiction, use sparingly. Readers aren’t used to experiencing it outside of self-help books.

Because the narrator is addressing the reader directly as "you", the narrator's options for describing the events of the story are somewhat limited.

3. Third Person Limited Point of View

Third person limited point of view is a narrative mode in which the story is told from the perspective of one character at a time, using third-person pronouns such as "he" or "she". It is one of the most common point of view techniques that authors use. The narrator only has access to the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of this one character, and the reader is only able to see and understand the events of the story through their eyes. Here are three examples of third person limited point of view in action:

• “Alice walked down the street, her mind racing. She couldn't believe what had happened, she just couldn’t.”

• “Bob stared at the blank piece of paper in front of him, his heart pounding. Why couldn’t he write this novel like all the others?.”

• “Carol sat at her desk, her eyes glued to the computer screen.”

Third person limited, together with Oirst person, is the most common in literature. Here is one example from Orson Scott Card’s "Ender’s Game":

"But Ender knew, even as he thought it, that Peter wouldn’t leave him alone. There was something in Peter’s eyes, when he was in his mad mood, and whenever Ender saw that look, that glint, he knew that the one thing Peter would not do was leave him alone. I’m practicing piano, Ender. Come turn the pages for me. Oh, is the monitor boy too busy to help his brother? Is he too smart? Got to go kill some buggers, astronaut?"

Pros:

It allows the narrator to focus on a single character at a time and explore that character's thoughts, feelings, and experiences in depth.

It is not tied to one character for the whole novel, and can jump from one to another in a scene break. It is easier for readers to understand.

Can maintain the mystery by not showing everything that everyone is thinking or experiencing in a scene, but provides more freedom than Oirst person. The narrative is more objective.

Cons:

When compared to Oirst person, it can be harder to establish a strong personal connection between the reader and the characters.

It is harder to have a distinct voice.

4. Third Person Omniscient Point of View

Third person omniscient is a point of view in which the narrator is able to reveal the thoughts and feelings of all characters in the story all of the time. This allows for a broader view of the story and a more expansive understanding of the world and characters. In third person omniscient, the narrator is often referred to using pronouns such as "he", "she", "they", and "them", and is able to move freely between different characters and locations.

Here are three examples of third person omniscient point of view in action:

"Samantha stood at the edge of the cliff, gazing out at the ocean below. Little did she know that a storm was coming, one that would change her life forever."

"John sat at his desk, staring at the blank piece of paper in front of him. He knew he had to complete this assignment soon, but all he wanted was to be with Rebecca. She wanted the same, though she wouldn’t admit it.."

"The sun was setting on the small town of Willow Creek, casting a warm glow over the houses and trees. But little did they know that a dark secret was lurking in the shadows, one that would soon be revealed."

One of the more famous examples of third person omniscient is in Frank Herbert’s "Dune":

Damn that Jessica! the Reverend Mother thought. If only she'd borne us a girl as she was ordered to do!

Jessica stopped three paces from the chair, dropped a small curtsy, a gentle Zlick of left hand along the line of her skirt. Paul gave the short bow his dancing master had taught— the one used "when in doubt of another's station."

The nuances of Paul's greeting were not lost on the Reverend Mother. She said: "He's a cautious one, Jessica."

Jessica's hand went to Paul's shoulder, tightened there. For a heartbeat, fear pulsed through her palm. Then she had herself under control. "Thus he has been taught, Your Reverence.”

What does she fear? Paul wondered.

Pros:

Third person omniscient point of view allows the narrator to provide a more comprehensive view of the story and its characters.

It allows for the use of dramatic irony, where the narrator and the readers know something other characters do not, and creates a sense of tension and suspense.

The narrator can be part of the story, as they are in J. R. R. Tolkien’s "The Hobbit".

It comes with a lot of freedom in what the narrator can say/do.

Cons:

It can limit the intimacy between the reader and the characters, and can undermine the credibility of the story by making it difOicult for the reader to follow along.

It often leads to a lot of telling instead of showing. “Head-hopping,” or rapidly switching from one character perspective to another, can be disconcerting and throw the reader out of the story.

There is almost too much freedom, stiOling creativity. Sometimes limits can actually help you be more creative in your writing.

5. Fourth Person Point of View

Fourth person point of view is a type of storytelling perspective in which the narrator refers to themselves using "we" and "us". This point of view is less commonly used, but can give the impression that the narrator is speaking on behalf of a group of people, rather than as an individual. It is therefore an effective tool in motivational speeches.

Here are some examples of fourth person point of view in action:

"We live in a world where technology has advanced far beyond what we ever thought possible. We are connected to each other and to the world around us in ways that were unimaginable just a few decades ago."

“We set off early in the morning, full of excitement and anticipation. The journey was long and difZicult, but we were determined to make it to our destination.”

While not common for the entirety of a novel, you will often see fourth person point of view in certain parts of a larger book, especially in Oirst person point of view books. For example, see this quote from "Weightless", by Sarah Bannan:

“We shifted on the bleachers. Wiped the sweat from the backs of our necks, let out breaths that lifted our bangs from our faces. We tried to cool down however we could.”

Pros:

It’s unique, and it expands the possibilities you have in your novel. Using it in key moments (such as a character’s speech), can be useful.

It expands your possibilities, giving you another arrow in your storytelling quiver

Cons:

Using it for the entire piece will be jarring for readers, can make it difOicult to identify with readers, and it limits your publishing options.

It’s harder to identify with characters.

Which will you use?

The choice of point of view in writing can impact the reader's perception of the story and their connection with the characters, so it’s very important. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it is important for writers to carefully consider which POV is best for their story.

Hopefully this guide was helpful in making your decision.

If you’re looking to learn more on point of view or a variety of other subjects, I recommend checking out kindlepreneur.com, one of the Internet’s best resources on learning to write, self-publish, and market your books.