The point of view (POV) in storytelling is the lens through which your readers experience the narrative. It's the narrator's perspective, and it profoundly shapes the story's tone, the reader's connection to characters, and the overall impact. Selecting the right POV is crucial for achieving your storytelling goals.
A poorly chosen POV can distance readers from the characters or create confusion, while a well-chosen one can amplify emotional resonance and build suspense. The decision hinges on how much access you want the reader to have to characters' thoughts, feelings, and motivations, as well as the level of intimacy and bias you want to inject into the narrative.
This guide will walk you through the various POV options, providing insights and practical considerations to help you make the best choice for your story. It's not just about selecting a POV; it's about understanding how that choice impacts every facet of your narrative.
Consider your story's needs before diving in. Are you aiming for a deeply personal account or a broader, more objective perspective? The answer will guide you toward the optimal POV for your narrative.
Step 1: Understanding First-Person Point of View
In first-person POV, the narrator is a character within the story, using pronouns like "I" and "we." This creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, allowing readers to directly experience the world through the narrator's eyes. However, it also limits the reader's perspective to what the narrator knows, feels, and observes. The reader is only privy to what the narrator consciously experiences.
The narrator can be the protagonist, a secondary character, or even someone recounting a story they heard. Each of these roles brings a different flavor to the narration. A protagonist's first-person narration offers a subjective and personal account, while a secondary character's perspective can provide an outside view with its own biases and interpretations. For example, consider if the narrator is unreliable - are they lying to the reader? Are they lying to themselves?
Step 2: Exploring Second-Person Point of View
Second-person POV employs the pronoun "you" to address the reader or another character, creating a sense of direct engagement or instruction. It's less common in storytelling than first or third person, often used for experimental or shorter narratives. Second-person narratives can be powerful, but they require careful execution to avoid feeling repetitive or gimmicky.
A second-person narrator might be addressing their younger self, offering advice or reflection. Alternatively, they could be addressing the reader directly, drawing them into the story as a participant. This POV can be effective for creating a sense of immersion or unease, but it's challenging to sustain in longer works. Authors must be deliberate and skilled to engage the reader without alienating them, lest the reader feel manipulated or as though they are being forced into a role that does not fit.
Step 3: Diving into Third-Person Point of View
Third-person POV uses pronouns like "he," "she," and "they" to refer to the characters. The narrator is not a character in the story. This POV offers flexibility, allowing the author to maintain distance or delve into the thoughts and feelings of one or more characters. Third-person POV is a versatile choice, capable of adapting to various storytelling needs.
There are two main types of third-person POV: limited and omniscient. In third-person limited, the narrator has access to the thoughts and feelings of only one character, usually the protagonist. This allows for a blend of objective observation and subjective experience. Third-person omniscient, on the other hand, grants the narrator access to the thoughts and feelings of all characters, providing a broader, more comprehensive view of the story. Consider how much information you, the author, want to be privy to about all the characters in your story.
Step 4: Mastering Third-Person Omniscient Point of View
Third-person omniscient POV, sometimes called "the God's eye view," gives the narrator complete access to the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of all characters. This POV offers the greatest flexibility and control, allowing the author to reveal information strategically and create dramatic irony. With great power comes great responsibility; the omniscient narrator must use their knowledge judiciously.
The omniscient narrator can provide insights into characters' pasts, present thoughts, and future intentions, painting a complete picture for the reader. However, this POV can also distance the reader from individual characters, making it harder to forge a strong emotional connection. Also, be careful not to create a character that is simply a plot device, rather than an individual with their own complex goals and desires.
Step 5: Deciding on the Level of Intimacy
The level of intimacy you want to create between the reader and the characters is a key factor in choosing your POV. First-person POV offers the closest connection, immersing the reader in the narrator's subjective experience. Third-person limited POV provides a balance, allowing access to a character's thoughts while maintaining some distance. Third-person omniscient POV offers the most distance, providing a broader perspective but potentially sacrificing emotional connection. Consider which POV best aligns with the emotional impact you want to achieve.
Think about how close your main character is to the events of the story and how connected you want the reader to feel to this character. If you choose first-person, establish how and why the narrator is telling the story. This will significantly influence the reader's interpretation.
Step 6: Considering Dialect and Voice
If your character's unique dialect or voice is central to the story, first-person POV might be the best choice. This allows the narration to mirror the character's speech patterns and linguistic quirks, adding authenticity and flavor. However, be cautious of overdoing it, as excessive dialect can be difficult for readers to understand. Balance authenticity with accessibility to avoid alienating your audience.
Third-person limited or omniscient POV can also incorporate elements of a character's dialect, particularly when the narrator is closely aligned with their thoughts. The narration can subtly mirror the character's speaking habits without becoming overwhelming. Remember that the narration can still maintain a slightly different cadence than dialogue.
Step 7: Determining the Amount of Information Needed
The amount of information you need to convey to the reader is another crucial consideration. First-person POV is the most limiting, restricting the reader to what the narrator knows and experiences. This can be effective for creating suspense or mirroring the character's confusion. Third-person omniscient POV offers the most freedom, allowing you to share any information you deem relevant. The right POV depends on how much control you want to have over the flow of information.
If you want the reader to feel confused alongside the main character, the limitations of first-person POV can be beneficial. Third-person limited and objective POVs offer a middle ground, providing more flexibility than first-person but less than third-person omniscient.
Step 8: Exploring Multiple Perspectives
If your story benefits from multiple perspectives, third-person omniscient POV is often the most effective choice. It allows you to seamlessly shift between characters' thoughts and feelings, providing a comprehensive view of the story's events. Alternatively, you could use a third-person objective POV to leave the readers infer the feelings of the characters. Multiple perspectives can add depth and complexity to your narrative, but they require careful management to avoid confusion.
Multiple perspectives are particularly helpful for conveying dramatic irony, exploring conflicting loyalties, or weaving together overlapping narratives. While third-person omniscient is often the go-to choice, third-person limited POV can also be used effectively by switching between different characters' perspectives in different chapters or sections.
Step 9: Considering Narrator Bias
The level of bias you want to inject into the narration is another important factor. First-person narrators are inherently biased, as they are telling the story from their subjective perspective. Third-person omniscient narrators can also exhibit bias, selectively revealing information or offering their own interpretations. Third-person objective narrators, on the other hand, strive for impartiality, presenting the facts without commentary. A biased narrator can add depth and intrigue, but it's important to be aware of the potential impact on the reader's perception of the story.
If you want a less-than-objective narrator, first-person POV is ideal. If you want to avoid any question of truthfulness, choose third-person objective POV. If you need slightly more insight into the characters' thoughts, choose a third-person limited or omniscient POV, but be cautious about how much interpretation your narrator offers.
Step 10: Experimenting with Multiple Points of View
Your point of view doesn't have to remain static throughout the entire story. Experiment with different POVs to see what works best for each section or chapter. However, it's crucial to make these shifts deliberately and provide clear signals to the reader. Sudden or unexplained POV changes can be jarring and confusing, so use them sparingly and strategically.
If you feel multiple POVs are needed to tell your story effectively, consider alerting the reader by starting a new chapter or section. While less common, it may be more effective for your story to change POVs mid-chapter, but be sure the reader is fully aware of what is happening. Your POV is a tool, and should be used to tell your story in the best way possible.
Pro Tips
- Most stories are written from a third-person limited point of view because it offers a good balance of intimate connection with the main character and external observation. If you cannot think of a reason why a different point of view would be better for your story, stick with the most common choice.
- Many people mistakenly assume that the voice of a third-person narrator is the same as that of the author, but that does not have to be the case. When choosing a third-person point of view, you can make your narrator completely objective and invisible, or you can give him a very unique and vocal presence.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Head-hopping: Switching between the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters within the same scene in third-person limited.
- Inconsistent POV: Accidentally shifting POV without a clear purpose or transition.
- Unreliable narrator without awareness: Using a first-person narrator who is dishonest or misinformed without making it clear to the reader.
Conclusion
Choosing the right point of view is a critical decision that shapes every aspect of your story. Consider the level of intimacy, the importance of dialect, the amount of information you need to convey, the potential for multiple perspectives, and the desired level of narrator bias. Experiment with different POVs and be prepared to make adjustments as you write. By carefully considering these factors, you can select the POV that best serves your storytelling goals and creates a compelling and engaging reading experience.