It can be tricky. Identifying the point of view in a novel can be somewhat confusing. It doesnt have to be, though! With this handy little guide, well help you detect first, second, and third person as simply as possible.
Using the first lines of famous novels, its time to spot the differences between the different narrative voices. Lets start from, well, the beginning.
First, second, and third person are all a type of grammatical person. To identify which one is used, you have to find the pronouns in the sentence.
In the following sentence, the pronouns “my” and “I” indicate that the person is speaking in the first person:
The above example is one of the first-person subjective case, meaning it refers to the subject who performs the action. “I” is used for a singular subject, and “we” is used for more than one subject, including the speaker.
There are three cases in total; along with the subjective case, there are also the objective case and the possessive case. The objective case uses the pronoun “me” or “us” to denote the objects of the sentence that receive the action.
What is this strange narrative voice? Though second-person point of view isnt as popular as the others, it does crop up from time to time, so lets review it. In the second-person point of view, the subjective and objective cases take the same pronoun, “you,” and the pronoun is the same for singular and plural subjects alike. Neat, huh?
The possessive case simply uses “yours,” making the second-person point of view simple to identify. Easy as pie!
The third-person point of view is used when the subject is being spoken about. This point of view is a little trickier because it introduces gender into the mix. The feminine subjective singular case is “she,” the masculine subjective singular case is “he,” and the neuter subjective singular case is “it.” When pluralizing, the pronoun is “they,” regardless of gender.
Phew! It sounds scary, but it doesnt have to be. To replace the noun with the pronoun “he” or “she,” you must be very certain of the subjects gender. Here are some examples:
With the objective case, “him” (masculine), “hers” (feminine), “it” (neuter), and “them” (plural) are used. The third-person plural, “they” and “theirs,” are used to refer to a group of individuals that does not include the speaker. Finally, the possessive case for the third-person narrative voice is “his,” “hers,” “its,” and “theirs.”
It is important to note that the narrative voice does not include dialogue. A third-person point of view in a novel might read like so:
Even though the pronoun “I” is used within the dialogue, this is still considered to be in the third-person point of view, as the narrative voice uses third-person pronouns (in this quote, “his”).
But wait! What about instances where there is no pronoun or the subject doesnt seem to appear in the sentence? Sometimes, its trickier than usual to identify the point of view.
There are no pronouns in this sentence, but if we continue to read, it becomes clear that the novel employs the third-person perspective, as evidenced by the use of the pronoun “he”:
Taking a heftier sample from the text will help clear confusion. While weve used first lines to demonstrate the narrative voice, make sure you take a sample larger than a single line, as its easy to be duped. Another example:
Though the only pronoun that appears in the sentence is “they,” which implies a third-person point of view, this novel actually uses the first-person point of view, and the subject doesnt actually appear in the sentence. Also, make sure you take samples from multiple points in the text. Some novels change points of view throughout.
While good ol Stephen King here begins his novel in the first-person point of view, the story is in three parts, and the middle part is in the third-person point of view. Oy vey! But dont worry; by paying attention to the pronouns, you can identify narrative voice easily.
This SlideShare can be a great resource to help you remember how to identify narrative voice:
Now that you know how narrative voice works and can identify the different points of view, youd like to write a famous first line of your own. But what point of view should you use? Does it even really matter?
Were here to tell you that it absolutely matters. There are important considerations to be made when deciding on your point of view. Get your pencils ready, because one of these is perfect to tell your story. Maybe your very own first line will be famous one day.
When writing in the first-person point of view, there are a few considerations that are important. First, how is this story being told? Is this being written down or told aloud? Is this meant to be a private telling or public? This will affect the tone and the language of your piece.
It is also important to consider how much time has passed between events. If the events are happening right now, there will probably be a larger emotional reaction from the narrator. But if the events of the story have occurred in the past, your narrator may be more objective.
In addition, you must decide who is telling the story. I know, I know, but bear with me—we’re almost through. Will your protagonist be telling the story, or will a witness tell the story? Perhaps the events happened a long time ago, and the story is being retold. So many decisions to make!
Every choice has implications. Allowing your protagonist to tell the story gives more intimacy between reader and character. It might also allow you to play with an unreliable narrator. If a witness tells the story, you could argue that the witness is more objective (or less, in the case of poor Nick Carraway of The Great Gatsby). If an impartial member is retelling the story, its possible that the narration is more reliable.
So, what do you think? Lots to consider, right? Well, dont choose this point of view just yet—we still have two more to play with.
The second-person point of view is by far the least common, but when used correctly, it can have a great effect.
This narrative voice is often used for your protagonist to speak to an earlier (or younger) version of himself or herself. Its difficult to pull off because, often, its unclear to the reader whom the writer is addressing.
You can also use this point of view to speak directly to the reader, as illustrated by Calvino in the aforementioned example.
If you make it very clear from the beginning whom the narrator is addressing, it is possible to pull off the second person. So dont discount it from the get-go. However, its not just a gimmick, so a lot of deliberation is necessary.
Here it is, at last. The Big Kahuna. The third-person point of view dominates most popular and contemporary literature. Thats because its so diverse, and there are so many ways to play with it. Lets take a look.
There are three main types of third-person point of view: limited, objective, and omniscient. The limited point of view is arguably the most popular. Were allowed a close look into a single character, which often links the reader to your protagonist.
Its fun to play with because you can manipulate the distance a bit. A close third-person limited point of view looks into the thoughts and feelings of only a single character. Many novels step back from this to allow for a wider scope. Its all about distance.
So if were linking to a single character, dont tell us how another one is feeling. Stepping back every now and again to examine another character distances us from the protagonist, which can be used advantageously. A lot to consider . . .
The objective point of view is when the narrator tells you what the narrator sees and hears without describing the thoughts and feelings of the protagonist.
Ah, the omniscient point of view, hammered into the brains of students everywhere. It is, of course, the all-knowing narrator. This narrator knows everything about everyone (its like the Gretchen Weiners of narrators). But dont be fooled. What your teachers didnt tell you is that not everything has to be shared. Just because this narrator knows everything doesnt mean the narrator is not selective about the information garnered.
Third person point of view is one of the most commonly used narrative perspectives in fiction writing As a writer, choosing the right point of view can have a huge impact on how your story comes across to readers. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about utilizing third person point of view effectively in your own writing
What is Third Person Point of View?
In third person point of view, the narrator refers to all characters using third person pronouns like “he,” “she,” and “they.” This differs from first person where the narrator uses “I”, or second person, where the narrator uses “you.”
In third person narratives, the narrator exists outside of the story as an unnamed, external observer. This gives third person writing a quality of objectivity and distance compared to the intimacy of first person. The narrator can only describe events from the perspective of the chosen point of view character in each scene.
There are three main types of third person point of view:
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Third person omniscient – The narrator has full access to every character’s thoughts and feelings. This provides the most flexibility for the writer.
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Third person limited – The narrator only has access to a single character’s perspective per scene. This offers a more intimate portrayal of the POV character.
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Third person objective – The narrator is limited to reporting just the observable actions and dialog, without any access to internal states. This creates the most distance from the characters.
Key Elements of Third Person Narration
When writing in third person, there are some key elements to keep in mind:
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Pronouns – Referring to characters using “he,” “she,” “they” rather than “I” or “you.” This establishes the external narrator.
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Character perspective – Each scene is relayed from the spatial and psychological perspective of the chosen POV character. The narrator sits on their shoulder.
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Access to thoughts/feelings – The level of access to each character’s internal states depends on the type of third person POV used.
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Detachment – A certain emotional distance is maintained between the impersonal narrator and the events of the story.
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Scene transitions – Shifting from one character’s POV to another requires smooth scene/chapter transitions to orient the reader.
Why Use Third Person Point of View?
Third person point of view has some key advantages that make it a versatile and popular narrative choice:
Flexibility
Writers can switch between the perspectives of different characters simply by transitioning from one scene to the next. This provides flexibility to tell more complex, multi-faceted stories.
Objectivity
By positioning the narrator outside the story, third person can take on a more neutral, observational tone. This allows readers to form their own judgments.
Expansive scope
In the third person omniscient form, the narrator’s access to every character’s inner world provides a broad, far-reaching scope. This suits sprawling stories with diverse perspectives.
Sense of distance
The detached third person narrator creates emotional distance, which can lend a sense of impartiality. This allows the writer to explore sensitive topics more objectively.
How to Choose the Right Type of Third Person POV
There are some key factors to consider when deciding which third person perspective will work best for your story:
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Number of main characters – Stories with multiple protagonists benefit from an omniscient POV that can switch between their experiences.
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Desired scope – Limited third person focuses the lens on one character at a time, while omniscient provides a broader scope.
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Depth of characterization – Limited third person allows deeper connection to individual characters by conveying their thoughts/feelings.
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Tone – Objective third person relates only external details, useful for an impartial, “fly on the wall” perspective.
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Thematic focus – Is the story more plot or character oriented? Limited third person favors character depth.
Tips for Writing Smoothly in Third Person POV
When working in the third person, keep these tips in mind to create a cohesive narrative flow:
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Maintain consistency in POV within each scene to avoid confusing your reader.
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Use transitions like chapter/scene breaks when changing from one POV character to another.
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Avoid “head hopping” – switching between character perspectives within a scene.
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Orient the reader by quickly establishing the new POV character with narrative cues and context clues when transitioning perspectives.
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Limit the use of inner monologues. Convey thoughts through actions to retain that third person distance.
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Use vivid sensory details to immerse readers in the POV character’s moment-to-moment experiences.
Common Uses of Third Person Point of View by Genre
Third person POV is versatile enough to accommodate most genres. Here are some of its common applications:
Fantasy/Sci-Fi – Third person omniscient provides the range to build expansive fictional worlds with many characters.
Mystery/Thriller – Shifting limited third person POVs maintain suspense while providing insights into different suspects.
Literary Fiction – Limited third person offers deep perspective into the complex inner lives of characters.
Historical Fiction – Alternating character perspectives combined with an outside narrator lend authenticity.
Romance – The flexibility to switch between lovers’ separate experiences creates romantic tension and interest.
Horror – Limited third person immerses readers in the mind of the victim, heightening feelings of terror.
Compare and Contrast With First and Second Person POV
How does third person point of view compare to other narrative perspectives?
First Person – Written from the “I” perspective of a character, first person provides complete access to one character’s thoughts in a deeply intimate way third person does not. However, this limits the scope to events the character experiences directly.
Second Person – The direct “you” address immerses readers in the POV character’s shoes in a vividly immediate way. But this non-traditional perspective is less accessible for some readers.
Third Person – The detachment from any one character’s POV provides flexibility to switch perspectives and craft a larger narrative, while still allowing access to character thoughts and feelings.
Examples of Third Person Point of View in Literature
Many classic works of fiction effectively demonstrate third person POV:
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Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice employs a flexible limited third person, following events closely from Elizabeth Bennet’s perspective. We experience her inner thoughts, while also gaining insights into other characters like Mr. Darcy.
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The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald utilizes third person limited but from Nick Carraway’s outsider perspective observing the wealthy Long Island characters arm’s length.
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J.R.R. Tolkien masterfully conveys enormous scope in Lord of the Rings through third person omniscient, granting readers access to a diverse cast of characters.
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Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest uses an objective third person lens focused on Chief Bromden to portray life inside a mental institution in a distorted, impersonal manner.
Mistakes to Avoid When Writing in Third Person POV
Some common pitfalls that can undermine an otherwise strong third person narrative include:
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Sudden, jarring jumps between character perspectives without proper transitions.
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Head-hopping: changing POV characters multiple times within one scene.
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Not establishing the POV character clearly enough through narrative cues and context.
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Slipping into first person narration by accident due to close attachment to a character.
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Providing too much overt exposition instead of allowing events and sensory details to naturally reveal insights.
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Overusing inner monologues, which diminish the sense of distance unique to third person.
When handled adeptly, third person point of view allows writers to craft intricately layered narratives spanning diverse characters, settings, and events. As this guide illustrates, the flexibility and scope of third person POV make it a versatile choice suitable for multiple genres and story structures. By intentionally selecting the type of third person that best fits your story and mastering POV transitions, you can utilize this perspective to create an engaging, multi-dimensional reading experience.
Having Fun with It
Most fun of all? You can play with the tone and voice of your narrator in any of the third-person points of view. It doesnt have to be linked to your characters voice, or yours, at all. Maybe your narrator is sarcastic or pities your main character. Maybe he or she is really tired and doesnt even want to be telling this story. Or maybe the narrator of the story was secretly the villain all along (dun, dun, dun . . .).
Its entertaining, right? Have fun with it!
Not to be the soccer mom handing out popsicles because “all the kids are the most valuable players,” but each point of view has its own strengths to be used for different advantages. That said, they also still have limitations. Sorry, Timmy, but you cannot score a goal from across the field just yet.
Taking all this knowledge into consideration, we want to see those brains storming away! Putting a pen to paper to try all the different narrative voices is the best way to see which one will work for you. All you need to do now is give it a shot.
Whew! Dont you feel better now? You know everything there is to know about narrative voice. You can identify all the different points of view by identifying pronouns outside dialogue. And you know the advantages and disadvantages of each grammatical person, so you can employ your very own point of view.
Now all thats left to do is to write your famous first line. Something with a nice ring to it, like, “It was a pleasure to burn.” Wait . . . I think that ones taken. Sorry about that, Mr. Bradbury.
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