What Is the Third Person Point of View?
The third person point of view is a narrative perspective where the storyteller uses pronouns like "he," "she," "it," and "they" to describe characters and events.
Unlike the first person ("I") and second person ("you") perspectives, the third person point of view provides a more detached and versatile approach.
This perspective can be omniscient, where the narrator knows everything about all characters, limited, focusing on one character's thoughts and experiences, or objective, only describing actions and dialogue without delving into inner thoughts.
What Is the Third Person Point of View?
Definition
Uses pronouns like "he," "she," "it," and "they."
Provides a detached perspective.
Comparison
First Person: "I went to the store."
Second Person: "You went to the store."
Third Person: "He went to the store."
Types of Third Person Point of View
Third Person Omniscient
Definition
Narrator knows everything about all characters.
Examples
"Anna felt sad, but John was unaware of her feelings."
"The villagers were anxious, each hiding their own secrets."
"The king plotted his next move, while the queen secretly prepared for war."
"Every student in the class had a different reaction to the surprise announcement."
Literature Example
"War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy
Third Person Limited
Definition
Focuses on the thoughts and experiences of one character.
Examples
"She wondered if he would call, feeling a knot in her stomach."
"Tom's heart raced as he entered the dark room, his fears surfacing."
"Mia couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched."
"Jake struggled to remember where he had seen that face before."
Literature Example
"Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
Third Person Objective
Definition
Describes actions and dialogue without delving into characters' thoughts.
Examples
"She walked to the window and closed the blinds."
"He handed her the letter without saying a word."
"They exchanged glances, then both turned away."
"The detective inspected the scene, jotting down notes."
Literature Example
"Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway
How to Use Third Person Point of View in Writing
Guidelines
Clearly define the type of third person point of view.
Maintain consistency throughout the piece.
Avoid shifting viewpoints unless necessary.
Tips
Plan your narrative to ensure clear and distinct viewpoints.
Use chapter breaks or scene changes to shift perspectives, if needed.
Employ dialogue to reveal character thoughts and feelings without switching perspectives.
Be mindful of the narrative distance; decide how close or far the reader should feel from the characters.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Head-Hopping: Switching between characters' thoughts too frequently.
Inconsistent Narration: Mixing different types of third person perspectives.
Advantages and Challenges of Third Person Point of View
Advantages
Broader Perspective
"He saw the entire city from the rooftop, each street bustling with life."
Allows exploration of multiple characters and plotlines.
Greater Flexibility in Storytelling
"As she struggled with her decision, miles away, her brother faced a similar dilemma."
Enables building a complex and immersive narrative.
Examples
"From his vantage point, he could see the entire battlefield, understanding the strategies of both sides."
"Her thoughts were a mystery, but her actions spoke volumes."
"They watched the sunset, each lost in their own thoughts."
Challenges
Maintaining Distance from Characters
Ensure you do not delve too deeply into one character's mind if using objective or omniscient perspectives.
Examples: "The judge remained impartial, focusing on the facts presented," "The report detailed events without revealing any personal biases."
Avoiding Head-Hopping
Plan scenes to focus on one character's perspective at a time.
Examples: "In this chapter, you follow Alice's journey, and in the next, you see the world through Bob's eyes," "Use clear transitions when changing perspectives, such as starting a new paragraph or scene."
Practice Exercises for Mastering Third Person Point of View
Writing Prompts
Write a short story from an omniscient perspective.
Rewrite the same story from a limited perspective.
Describe a scene using the objective point of view, focusing only on actions and dialogue.
Exercises
Identify different types of third person perspectives in various texts.
Write scenes focusing on different characters without changing viewpoints mid-scene.
Compare how the story feels when written in each type of third person perspective.
Self-Evaluation Tips
Review your work critically to ensure clarity and consistency.
Ask peers to read your work and identify any confusing shifts in perspective.
Use checklists to ensure you maintain the chosen point of view throughout the piece.