What is POV – Point of View?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Point of view<\/strong> refers to the narrative voice or lens through which the story is told. It determines who is telling the story and what they can reveal. Common points of view include:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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• First Person<\/strong> (“I” perspective), where the story is told by a character within it.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
• Third Person Limited<\/strong> (“he\/she\/they” perspective), where the narrator is outside the story but focuses on one character\u2019s thoughts and feelings.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
• Third Person Omniscient<\/strong>, where the narrator knows everything about all characters and events.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
• Second Person<\/strong> (“you” perspective), which is less common and directly addresses the reader.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

  What is Perspective?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

  Perspective<\/strong> is the unique way a specific character views the world, shaped by their experiences, background, emotions, and personal biases. Two characters might witness the same event, but their perspectives on it can be completely different based on their personalities and values. Perspective adds depth to POV by influencing the character\u2019s thoughts, reactions, and the way they interpret events.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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  Main differences between POV and Perspective<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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  Aspect<\/strong><\/td>\r\n	Point of View<\/strong><\/td>\r\n	Perspective<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
  Function<\/td>\r\n	POV<\/strong> determines the narrative style (e.g., first-person, third-person limited, omniscient) and affects how much the reader knows about the characters and plot.<\/td>\r\n	Perspective<\/strong> adds depth to the POV by coloring the narrative with a specific character’s personal viewpoint, biases, and emotions.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
  Scope of Insight<\/td>\r\n	POV<\/strong> controls whose thoughts, feelings, and knowledge the reader has access to (e.g., one character in third-person limited or all characters in third-person omniscient).<\/td>\r\n	Perspective<\/strong> affects how events are interpreted based on the character\u2019s beliefs and experiences, even if multiple perspectives are presented in the same POV.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
  Influence on Reader’s Understanding<\/td>\r\n	POV<\/strong> impacts the structure of the story and how much information is revealed to the reader.<\/td>\r\n	Perspective<\/strong> shapes the reader’s emotional connection and understanding of the characters by offering unique interpretations and reactions to events.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
  Narrative Example<\/td>\r\n	POV<\/strong> is like the camera angle in a film, deciding what the reader can see and hear.<\/td>\r\n	Perspective<\/strong> is like the character\u2019s personal filter, influencing how that \u201ccamera\u201d interprets what it captures.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n POV Options<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n First Person<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n The story is told from the perspective of a character within the story, using “I” or “we.” This POV creates an intimate, direct connection with the character\u2019s thoughts, feelings, and experiences.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Example: The Catcher in the Rye<\/em> by J.D. Salinger.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Second Person<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n The narrator speaks directly to the reader, using “you” as if the reader is the main character. This POV is rare in fiction but can create an immersive, unique experience.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Example: Bright Lights, Big City<\/em> by Jay McInerney.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Third Person Limited<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n The narrator is outside the story, using “he,” “she,” or “they,” but closely follows one character\u2019s thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This POV provides insight into one character\u2019s perspective while maintaining narrative distance.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Example: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer\u2019s Stone<\/em> by J.K. Rowling.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Third Person Omniscient<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n The narrator is all-knowing and has access to the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of all characters, as well as knowledge of events happening anywhere in the story world. This POV offers a broader, more objective perspective on the story.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Example: Pride and Prejudice<\/em> by Jane Austen.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Third Person Objective<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n The narrator reports only observable actions and dialogue, without access to any character\u2019s inner thoughts or emotions. This POV reads like a camera capturing events without interpretation, leaving readers to infer character motivations.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Example: Hills Like White Elephants<\/em> by Ernest Hemingway.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In Other Words<\/h4>\r\n So, there are several types of third-person<\/a>: third-person limited, third-person objective and third-person omniscient. The first is far more common in modern writing. It simply means that the narrator describes the story through only one person\u2019s eyes at a time.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n As always, the writer\u2019s skill makes all the difference.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Still, it doesn\u2019t hurt to know that most novels are written in Third Person Limited, though often from many characters\u2019 POVs. Who tells which portion of the story can greatly increase suspense.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Perspective<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n After choosing who tells the story, the next challenge is deciding how<\/strong> they\u2019ll tell it. Perspective is shaped by the character\u2019s age, background, desires, and motivations<\/strong>, influencing their view of events.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n As the saying goes, \u201cThere are three sides to every story: your side, my side, and the truth,\u201d reminding us that each character\u2019s perspective can alter the \u201ctruth\u201d they share. Consider whether your character is reliable, mistaken, or biased in some way\u2014factors that add depth to their narrative angle and how they report events.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Examples of Perspective<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Perspective in writing shines in fairy tale retellings that explore the viewpoints of minor characters\u2014or even the villain.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n For instance, Wicked<\/em>, based on Gregory Maguire\u2019s novel, shows the Wizard of Oz<\/em> story through the Wicked Witch\u2019s eyes, challenging our assumptions about her as simply \u201cevil.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Similarly, Where\u2019d You Go, Bernadette?<\/em> by Maria Semple uses POV and perspective in a unique way, blending letters from Bernadette with her daughter\u2019s narration to reveal different sides of her character. As readers, we start questioning Bernadette\u2019s sanity, only to realize by the end she may just be misunderstood. Such shifts in perspective add depth and intrigue to a story. When planning your own manuscript, think about how a character\u2019s perspective can add layers to the narrative and make it more engaging for readers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We\u2019re Open to Feedback! \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f\ud83d\udce2<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Do you have a topic you would like us to cover? A suggestion for the next big feature? Share your brilliance! Turn your idea into the next sensation! Let us know<\/a>, and join us on Discord!<\/a> \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sometimes, perspective and point of view (POV) in writing are used interchangeably, but they shouldn\u2019t be.\u00a0 When you craft your novel, POV is one of the first decisions you\u2019ll have to make. Perspective will be something you\u2019ll consider the whole way through the writing process. What is POV – Point of View? Point of view<\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":5904,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-5899","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-writing-advice"},"yoast_head":"\n