Point of View ...the perspective from which a story is told ...the eye and mind through which the action is perceived and filtered

An automobile accident occurs. Two drivers are involved. Witnesses include four sidewalk spectators, a policeman, a man with a video camera who happened to be shooting the scene, and the pilot of a helicopter that was flying overhead. Here we have nine different points of view and, most likely, nine different descriptions of the accident. In a fictional story, who tells the story and how it is told are critical issues for an author to decide. The tone and feel of the story, and even its meaning, can change radically depending on who is telling the story.

1st Person The narrator is a character in the story The narrator is able to tell only what he or she sees, hears, knows, and thinks. Any information about happenings out of the narrator’s hearing or sight must be revealed to him by someone or something else. A first-person narrator does not know the thoughts of other characters. The narrator can be a main character (protagonist) or a minor character who is not directly involved in the action. The narrator uses pronouns such as I, me, mine, my, we (if the narrator and one or more other characters are involved), us, our, and ours.

Advantages: One of these is credibility. A strange or fantastic story is easier to believe if told by someone who is supposedly relating a first-hand experience. It is more natural for a character to reveal her own thoughts than it is for the author to tell us what she is thinking and feeling. Another advantage is in intimacy. The ‘I’ narrator seems to address the reader directly and from the heart, sharing his personal observations and insights with an interested listener. Disadvantages: The reader can see, hear, and know only what the narrator sees, hears, and knows. The reader’s perceptions of other characters are influenced by the narrator’s opinions.

2nd Person involves the reader The pronouns you, yours, and your are used rather than dialogue. This Point of view is best used in written instructions or directions. All expert sources advise writers not to use second person for essays, stories, or novels, because the reader is not part of the plot, action, dialogue. Writing as if the reader or readers were creates a distraction in the flow of what’s written. Example of second person point of view: When you reach the interstate, turn north and travel six miles to the Lincoln Road exit. Take Lincoln Road three miles east to Washington Drive.

3rd Person Omniscient The narrator sees all, hears all, and knows all Here the narrator, standing outside the story, assumes a god-like role, revealing the thoughts, feelings, words and actions of all the characters. The narrator sees all, hears all, and knows all about the past, present and future. He will sometimes comment on or interpreting the actions of the characters. Example of third-person omniscient: Jackson stumbled up the incline to his car, not knowing that hostile eyes followed his every movement. Royce stared after the other man. What is he doing sneaking around here? he silently asked himself. He decided to follow his former friend. As Jackson climbed into his car, he caught sight of his reflection in the rearview mirror. “I look as if I’ve been crawling through the wilderness.” He ran his fingers through his hair to remove some of the twigs and grass.

3rd Person Limited The narrator focuses on the thoughts of a single character Writing in this point of view, the narrator focuses on the thoughts of a single character. Third person limited allows the narrator to see, hear, and know anything that one character does, including that character’s thoughts and feelings. Example of third-person limited: Jackson watched the slaughter of animals in disgust. He couldn’t believe that others could be so cruel and ruthless. “I wonder how they can sleep at night?” he muttered to himself.