WHEN SHOULD YOU USE THIRD PERSON OMNISCIENT OR THIRD PERSON LIMITED?

WHAT IS THIRD PERSON POV?

In third person, the narrator is outside of the story and relating the experiences of a character. In other words, the main character (MC) and the narrator are two different people or entities. This POV uses “he/she”, “his/hers”, or “they/theirs” statements and has two types of this point of view: third person omniscient and third person limited.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIRD PERSON OMNISCIENT AND LIMITED?

In third person omniscient, the narrator has full access to all the thoughts and experiences of everyone in the story. In third person limited, the narrator has limited access to the thoughts and experiences of the characters. Sometimes this is even limited to just one character.

HOW TO CHOOSE A POV?

When choosing a 3rd person POV, you need to ask yourself how deep are you willing to go into your character’s mind? You can maintain one POV through the entire story, though it is rare, or switch per scene as appropriate. Going back and forth between multiple characters’ emotions like this can give a reader whiplash, so choose wisely. It is important to know when to show and when to tell. Choose wisely.

Written by Baleigh Shortreed.

“Patience is the key to growth; growth is the key to change.”

Baleighshortreedmngmt@gmail.com

Baleighshortreed.com