POINT OF VIEW: Refers to the particular angle of vision, or outlook, from which
the events in the story are related
FIRST PERSON POV: “I”- A story told by one of the characters through his/her
eyes. 1st person POV offers a more intimate experience- a better chance for a connection
between reader and characters/narrator. When you write in 1st person, you are stepping
inside the skin, body, mind, and psyche of the character whose eyes you are using to tell
your story. If you choose this route, you must know everything about this character! It
requires you to do, say, and experience things you may never have in real life.
Choosing 1st person also means that all action and information in the story must be seen
or heard by your character- in his or her vernacular and tone. (“Overhear” techniques
must be executed extremely well, otherwise they seem too contrived) You, as the author,
also must stay out of the picture and refrain from commenting explicitly.
THIRD PERSON LIMITED: A Story told from the viewpoint of one character, but
narrated with “she” and “he” rather than “I”. This point of view still restricts the
writer and the reader to one character’s field of vision and range of knowledge. The
major difference is the shift from “I” to “she/he.” The 3rd person narrative summary is
usually not as intrusive and the viewpoint can be a major or minor character, or even a
mere witness. As in 1st person, the reader experiences what is happening only as the
character sees, feels, and thinks.
OMNISCIENT: A story told through an all-seeing, all-knowing narrator.
This POV gives the author freedom to move from character to character and event to
event. The author, and therefore the reader, has free access to the thoughts, feelings,
motivations, and actions of all characters- and can introduce information to the reader
when and where he/she chooses. But keep in mind, it is more difficult to grip the reader
when he or she does not identify with one character- such as in 1st and 3rd- not
impossible, just more difficult!
SECOND PERSON POINT OF VIEW: “You”- Writer addresses the reader
Second person point of view creates a deep sense of intimacy. Second person is difficult
to manage, especially in a serious work. Think Choose Your Own Adventure stories and
other interactive fiction. It has been done successfully by authors such as Dickens and
McInerney.
FOURTH PERSON POINT OF VIEW: This type of point of view occurs when
several people are talking and one person begins referring to another person who is
present using terms that seem to exclude that person from the conversation.