The choice of writing perspective affects the reading experience keenly, determining the tone, and setting the stage for reader immersion.
The first-person point of view is an interesting one to observe, as it offers a unique and intimate perspective for both the writer and the reader.
Through the narrator's eyes, the first-person perspective creates a deep connection with the character's emotions, thoughts, and experiences.
The first person point of view (POV) is when the story is told from the perspective of the narrator using words like "I" or "we." The narrator is directly involved in the story and shares their personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
For example, if someone says, "I went to the store," they are telling the story from their own point of view. It's like the reader is seeing the world through the narrator's eyes.
Through the first-person point of view in literature, readers get direct insight into the character’s emotions, thoughts, and personal experiences, making it a popular style in memoirs, young adult, and romantasy.
Many novels are written in the first-person point of view, and they use this perspective to deepen the reader’s understanding of the character’s mind. Some famous books written in the first-person POV include:
No, the first-person point of view is not the same as an omniscient perspective. These two viewpoints are very different in what they reveal.
In first-person, the story is told by a character using "I" or "we." This means the narrator can only share their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, so readers don’t know what other characters are thinking or doing.
The omniscient point of view, usually in third person, gives a wider view of events and can show what all the characters know and feel.
Example:
Maria didn't know Simon was standing behind the door, watching her, waiting for the right moment.
The objective style in the third-person is often used in genres like journalism or literary works that emphasize action over emotion, presenting events without interpretation or subjective bias.
In this perspective, the narrator is outside the story and follows the actions and thoughts of one character at a time, using pronouns like "he," "she," or "they." This allows the reader to experience the world through that character’s eyes but not necessarily their emotions or inner thoughts in the same direct way as first-person.
Examples of third-person limited in literature include:
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: The narrator, Nick Carraway, tells the story from his point of view, but he often reflects on what other characters might be feeling or doing.
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling: Most of the books are written in third-person limited, closely following Harry’s thoughts and actions while occasionally providing some insight into other characters’ perspectives.
A third-person close narrator is similar to a third-person limited, but the perspective is even more intimate. It provides deep insight into the protagonist’s thoughts and emotions, often with very little distance between the narrator and the character’s internal state.
The difference between third-person limited and third-person close can be subtle, but the latter allows the reader to feel as if they are experiencing the world through the character's eyes.
Example: In The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, the third-person close perspective follows Katniss Everdeen. The narrative is focused on her thoughts, perceptions, and emotional responses, immersing the reader deeply in her experience.
This narrator knows everything about every character, their thoughts, feelings, and actions. The omniscient narrator has a god-like perspective, providing insight into multiple characters and events.
Example: They both stood there in silence. He, feeling a sense of dread, and she, unsure of what would happen next.
The objective narrator relates to both first-person and third-person narrative styles, but it differs significantly in terms of perspective and depth of insight.
Example: In The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, the objective narrator simply describes the villagers' actions during the lottery without providing any insight into their inner thoughts or emotions.
In first-person narration, the story is told from a personal point of view, where the writer shares their own opinions and thoughts. This makes the story feel more subjective. On the other hand, an objective narrator stays neutral, not revealing any thoughts or emotions, and focuses only on what can be seen or heard.
In third-person narration, the objective narrator describes things from the outside, not sharing any character’s inner thoughts or feelings. However, in third-person limited or close, the narrator gives insight into one character's mind, unlike the objective third-person, which remains detached and neutral.
Shifting between first and third person is not uncommon If done thoughtfully and with purpose, a well-timed switch can create a powerful contrast in perspective, changing how the reader connects with the characters and events.
In first-person POV, the narrator uses "I" or "we," providing a deeply personal perspective on the story. This creates an intimate connection between the reader and the narrator, as the reader experiences the events directly through the narrator's thoughts, feelings, and perceptions.
However, it is limited, as the reader only knows what the narrator knows and sees things from their subjective viewpoint.
In first-person POV, the narrator's voice is the central focus, and their personal experiences, thoughts, and emotions are conveyed directly to the reader. This creates a strong, subjective connection to the narrator's inner world, which can enhance the emotional depth of the story.
However, this point of view can limit the reader's understanding of other characters, as it only reveals what the narrator perceives and knows.
An internal monologue allows readers to hear the character's thoughts in real time. This technique can be used effectively in both first-person and third-person limited perspectives.
In third-person close, the narrator focuses on one character’s experience, allowing the character’s internal thoughts to be directly presented.
Example:
In this example, the third-person limited narrator presents the character’s inner thoughts as if they are being spoken aloud, creating an immersive experience for the reader.
Whether or not to italicize the character’s thoughts depends on the style and tone you want to create.
Some authors prefer to italicize internal thoughts to set them apart from spoken dialogue and narration. However, it’s not always necessary.
In first-person, since the story is already coming from the perspective of the narrator, it is often clear when the character is thinking versus speaking.
For example:
Both sentences convey the character’s internal dialogue, but in the first example, italicizing the thought highlights the internal nature of the statement. In general, it
When writing from a point of view (POV) in literature, it's important to consider who is telling the story. The POV determines whose perspective the reader experiences the events through.
Here are some tips to keep in hand always:
The first-person point of view offers a unique way to connect readers with the narrator’s emotions, and thoughts.
Although the third-person perspective provides more flexibility, offering varying levels of intimacy and insight into characters, the choice between first-person and third-person depends largely on the story’s tone, the depth of character exploration, and the degree of emotional connection the writer wants to establish with the reader.
