Writers Write Is All About Writing
Writers Write Is All About Writing
4 Point Of View Choices For Writers

4 Point Of View Choices For Writers

Primarily, point of view is a matter of distance and in this post, we look at the 4 point of view choices for writers.

We are starting with our viewpoint/point of view (POV) series:

  1. 4 Point Of View Choices For Writers
  2. The Pros And Cons Of Writing In First Person
  3. The Pros And Cons Of Writing In Second Person
  4. The Pros & Cons Of Writing In Third Person

For most writers, viewpoint/point of view is instinctive. We tend to use the viewpoint we are most comfortable with. Look at your favourite books, the ones you tend to reread. Chances are you will write in the same point of view (POV) they are written in.

Primarily, viewpoint is a matter of distance. The closer you get to the reader the closer you are to engaging the reader’s emotions and creating a mood. Viewpoint can become overwhelming and complicated, but if you keep it simple and if you are consistent, you’ll be fine.

4 Point Of View Choices For Writers

[Buy the Viewpoint Workbook – a comprehensive 100-page guide to all things viewpoint.]

4 Point Of View Choices For Writers

  1. Narrators. Using a narrator or an omniscient viewpoint puts your reader far away. The story is told from a distance. The narrator tells the story, but is not involved. They become an observer. In the case of an omniscient narrator, the teller will know all and see all. The thoughts, feelings, plans, and schemes of the characters are known to the reader.
  2. Third person. Third person attached moves closer. You move into the head of one or more of your characters. You can tell your story using only one character or you can use several. Multiple viewpoints are used to great effect, but remember to stick to one viewpoint per scene. I’d be careful not to use more than three or four. Too many viewpoints annoy readers. You also have to create distinct voices for each character.
  3. Second person. Second person creates an intrusive intimacy. You experience the story almost as if you are there, because YOU step in the blood. YOU shiver as the warm liquid sticks to your skin and squelches between your toes. You see, it is intrusive. It is close, and it can become overwhelming. But, I kind of like it.
  4. First person. First person gets you close. You see the story through your protagonist’s eyes. Everything is skewed and dependent on their perspective. You can use multiple first person viewpoints, but once again, make sure the voices are distinct. Here, you don’t even have the character’s names to help your reader. Your story is also limited at times, especially if you use only one character.

Some genres prefer certain points of view. Crime and Romance are traditionally written in third person, most YA tends to be in first person. Second person is used in more experimental writing.

Of course, the rules are flexible. There is a trend to incorporate different viewpoints in a story. You can write shorter parts in second person and the rest of the story in third person. As always, experiment, but make sure of your motivation. Ask yourself:
  1. Are you showing off?
  2. Are you changing it for the sake of it?
  3. Does it serve your story?

Examine the traditional uses and read authors who experiment with viewpoint.

Posted on: 4th March 2026
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