Point Of View in Literature
Point of view in literature is probably the biggest single area of novel writing that aspiring writers have problems with.
More specifically, they often can't decide whether to use first person or third person point of view.
Actually, though, there is a bigger problem that most newcomers are not even aware of, and that is failing to handle viewpoint like a published writer.
That is why this section on point of view is such a large one...
It begins by explaining the theory of point of view in literature.
A full understanding of viewpoint will not only help you to choose which point of view to use in your novel, it will also help you to then use that viewpoint like a master.
After all the theory, you will find articles on choosing a point of view.
These look at the major viewpoints (first and third person), some less common viewpoints, as well as some other choices you will need to make.
You might already have a good idea on what viewpoint you will use, but I urge you to keep an open mind until you have read both sections...
- First, learn the theory of point of view in literature.
- This knowledge will help you make a better choice of which viewpoint to use.
- And the knowledge will help you to use your chosen viewpoint with more skill, too.
"Since we lack telepathy, we humans are imprisoned in our own skulls...The only thoughts, plans, dreams, and feelings we can directly experience are our own. It's because this one-viewpoint reality is hardwired in us that fiction is so fascinating. It lets us experience the world from inside someone else's head."
- Nancy Kress
Understanding Point of View in Literature
(If you want an overview of the articles in this section, please check out my Quick Guide to Point of View in Fiction.)
Why Narrative Point of View Matters
To start with, an article looking at just how important point of view is in fiction, and why it is essential that you don't cut corners.
Understanding Third Person Narrative POV
This article introduces you to four crucial people in a third person narrative: the Author, the Narrator, the Viewpoint Character, and the Protagonist.
Writing in the Third Person
And this one makes everything crystal clear with a detailed worked example.
Understanding First Person Narrative POV
Guess what? The four people I mentioned above - author, narrator, viewpoint character, and protagonist - are also vital ingredients in a first person point of view novel. Only their roles are a little different.
Writing in the First Person
And here is another detailed worked example of first person prose, with plenty of explanation.
Choosing a Viewpoint Character
In most cases, novels are seen through the eyes of the leading man or woman - the protagonist, in other words. But this isn't always the case.
Using Several Viewpoint Characters
Writing a Multiple Viewpoint Novel
In novel writing, you are not restricted to presenting the events through just one pair of eyes. Having two or three viewpoint characters is common, and there is nothing to stop you having as many as you like.
When and How to Switch Viewpoints
This is important. Why? Because it is another of those areas of point of view in literature that beginners seem to have the most trouble with. Follow the advice in this article and you will never go wrong.
Multiple Viewpoint Novels and Subplots
If this one sounds a little too technical, don't skip it. The subtle link between the number of viewpoint characters in a novel and the number of subplots is a crucial one to understand.
Choosing a Point of View: the Major Viewpoints
If it seems that you will have to work your way through an awful lot of theory before getting to the heart of the matter, trust me - without all this theory under your belt you can never hope to handle point of view in literature like the professional you intend to be.
In other words, don't be tempted to skip all of the articles above explaining the theory of point of view in literature - not if you are serious about novel writing success.
Once you have read and (more or less) understood everything so far, you will be in a strong position to choose a point of view for your novel. And for most of you, that will come down to a straight toss-up between...
- First Person Point of View, and
- Third Person Point of View.
Trying to decide whether to use first person or third person is often one of the biggest problems newcomers to novel writing face.
They set off on their novel writing journey, full of confidence and excitement, but they are barely a mile down the road when they come across a fork: first person to the left, third person to the right...
- Which way should they go?
- Is there a wrong choice and a right choice?
- Could either road lead them to success?
- What information should they consider before making a decision?
The fact is that neither point of view is inherently "better" than the other. It all depends on the particular novel you have in mind - and since only you know that, only you will be able to decide which viewpoint to use.
All I can do is run the respective arguments past you, and they are contained in these two articles...
Just bear in mind, as you read these two articles, that a supposed advantage of one particular point of view might not, on closer inspection, be quite as advantageous as it seems - and vice versa.
(You'll see what I mean when you read the articles!)
If, after reading them, you still can't make up your mind, there is a final article...
...which is a summary of all the key points and will hopefully steer you in the right direction once and for all.
Choosing a POV: Less Common Viewpoints
"Use any other form of narration but straight first- or third-person and you'll be wasting your time. You may even risk a worse fate than rejection, which is not to finish the novel."
- John Braine
"What is the best way of telling a story? Since the standard must be the interest of the audience, there must be several or many good ways rather than one best...Why should a story not be told in the most irregular fashion that an author's idiosyncrasy may prompt, provided that he gives us what we enjoy?"
- George Eliot
Third Person Omniscient Point of View
The omniscient viewpoint was the predominant voice in nineteenth century literature, but it has since fallen out of favor. Does that mean you shouldn't give it a try? Of course it doesn't.
Second Person Point of View
Should you give 2nd person point of view a try? No, probably not - unless you are feeling very brave and more than a little foolish.
3rd Person Point of View in Two Varieties
Even if you intend to write a "standard" 3rd person novel, this article is a must-read.
First Person Narration Using an Observer
What is a 1st person "observer" in fiction? I'll give you a famous example of one: Doctor Watson from the Sherlock Holmes novels.
Point of View In Literature - Other Choices
Past Tense or Present Tense?
This really is a matter of personal choice. The tense you go with should be the one that feels right for the story you want to tell. But if you want to see me get down off the fence and make a recommendation, read this article.
Literary Point of View - Mixing It Up
This final choice concerns taking a mix'n'match approach to point of view in a novel - using 3rd person and 1st person, for example. But would such a move be sensible or suicidal?
Related Questions
Finally, here is one of the questions I have received on point of view in literature...
1st Person Point of View and Description
"In first person point of view, what is the best way to describe the main character's physical appearance?"
If you have your own question on point of view in literature - or on any aspect of writing a novel - you can ask me in the Fiction Writing Q & A section.
