What is Point of View?
The perspective or vantage point from which a story is told.
Behind every great story there's a point of view
In creative writing, the point of view you choose will determine the perspective from which your story is told.
There are three main points of view:
- First-person: A character within the story narrates events using the pronoun 'I'; this can create a strong sense of intimacy between reader and narrator.
- Second-person: A less common point of view where the narrator speaks directly to the reader using 'you'; this can be effective in interactive fiction or experimental writing.
- Third-person: Most common point of view where a narrator outside the story relays events using 'he/she/they'; this can vary in intimacy depending on how close the narrator is to the characters.
Choosing the right point of view is essential to conveying the perspective, emotion and impact you want in your story. It's worth experimenting with different points of view to find the one that works best for you.
Here are two remarkable examples of how point of view can be used to enhance the reading experience:
The famous novel by J.D. Salinger is narrated in first-person by the teenage protagonist, Holden Caulfield, whose unique voice and perspective on the world make the story engaging and relatable to readers.
F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel is narrated in first-person by Nick Carraway, who provides a non-judgmental and observant account of the events surrounding the mysterious Jay Gatsby, creating an objective and detached tone throughout the story.