If you’re a reader like me, you have probably read different points of view without realizing it. If it fits with the material, it didn’t register. Do you know the differences? Or what material you are likely to find each one in? To explain what ones there are and where to find them, we need to know, what point-of-view is. Simply said, POV is the “eyes” of the narrator, so, whoever is telling the story. It can be the main character or someone or something in a more god-like position. Pronoun usage changes depending on perspective too. This is dissimilar to personal pronouns. The narrator can choose whether or not to respect personal choices but it is in reference to who is speaking. Keep reading and I will explain more.
First-person POV uses I statements. The narrator is the character themselves, no matter if it is a main character or not. It’s great because you get the thoughts of that character, understand their motivations in everything, and become drawn into that character. It is limited because you only get the narrator’s point of view and have to rely on their interpretation of what is going on. You only know what they see and know. Merry and Harry are written this way. This article is also written in first person because for me to refer to myself in this writing, me, myself, and I are the correct pronouns.
Second-person POV uses the pronoun you and isn’t generally used for novels. It’s more of a non-fiction writing style and is often used in article writing, poetry, self-help, or songwriting. This POV is an effective tool that brings the writer and reader closer. Closer in the sense that I am close to my friend Kathy because I talk to her. In the second person, the writer is speaking to their audience.
Third-person POV uses he/she type pronouns and it is usually the author narrating the story. Not always, but often. I see it a lot in children’s books, and I do mean children. See Spot Run is a third-person book, as it is what I have read of Dr. Suess. It makes me think of Grandpa in the movie The Princess Bride. The narrator has more information about a story as a whole or better insight into a specific character.
Third-person limited POV is a subset of third-person POV still using third-person pronouns but sticking closely to one character. So in a book with characters Kacy, Ana, John, and Sue, I as the author might have knowledge about the whole story but I stick close to Kacy unless I need one of the others.
Third person omniscient POV is another subset of third person so it still has the he/she type pronouns and the narrator knows everything about everyone much like a god would. This narrator moves fluidly through time and space, person to person. They have insight that characters may not have.
Fourth-person POV is one I came across today and I have never heard of it. It is a newer POV and uses we/our pronouns. It refers to a collective rather than individuals. I can’t think of anything I have read with this POV so I can’t quite wrap my head around it to explain it better.
Duel (or more) POV is, in recent readings of mine, usually in first person no matter who the POV is currently on. Most romance novels I read have more than one POV. Some authors do it smoothly, seamlessly moving between characters like in Dark Witch by Nora Roberts. But you find more clear-cut duel POVs in the KU books I read with names denoting the change.
I hope this helps. I know as a writer it helps to know the difference so I can stay in it consistently. Did you know these? Have you heard about or written in the fourth-person POV? How does it work? Let me know in the comments below. Until next time, have fun storming the castle!
