Hey there! As an avid reader and writer, I‘ve always been fascinated by the third person point of view. While it may seem straightforward on the surface, there‘s actually a lot more complexity and art to third person narration than meets the eye. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll break down everything you need to know to master third person POV in your own writing.
A Brief History of Third Person Narration
Before diving into the nitty gritty details, it helps to understand a little of the history behind the third person perspective. While first person POV dates back to ancient times, third person narration really took off in the 19th and 20th centuries as novelists began experimenting with more complex perspectives.
In the 1800s, you start to see examples of omniscient third person narrators who freely access characters‘ thoughts and interpret events. Novels like Middlemarch by George Eliot and Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray utilized an omniscient "storyteller" to provide commentary on the action.
By the early 1900s, third person limited came into vogue, as writers like Virginia Woolf and James Joyce focused the narrative through one character‘s point of view at a time. This increased psychological realism and identification with the character.
In more contemporary works, you see authors like George R.R. Martin skillfully switch between limited third person POVs from chapter to chapter to provide a multifaceted view of the story world.
So third person narration has evolved from the detached omniscient narrator to a more intimate, character-driven approach focused on specific POVs. Writers today have a full toolbox of third person techniques to work with!
Defining Features of Third Person Narration
Now that we‘ve got a bit of backstory, let‘s clarify what exactly defines the third person perspective:
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Pronouns: Uses pronouns like he, she, they, him, her, them, his, hers, their, etc. Does not use "I" or "you".
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Detached narrator: The narrator is an outside observer, not a character within the story.
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Access to characters‘ thoughts/feelings: Degree of access varies based on type of third person POV used.
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Multiple character perspectives: Can switch between perspectives, unlike first person POV.
This contrasts with first person POV, where the story is told using "I" and directly from a specific character‘s perspective.
The detachment from any one character‘s thoughts in third person creates more narrative distance. This flexibility can be powerful, but also requires more work to connect readers to the characters emotionally.
Types of Third Person Narration
Now let‘s dig into the three main types of third person narration and how they differ:
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| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Third Person Omniscient | The narrator has full access to every character‘s thoughts and feelings. | John hated waiting in line, and wished he‘d arrived earlier. Meanwhile, his friend Anna was excited for the concert. |
| Third Person Limited | The narrator has access to one character‘s perspective per scene/chapter. | John hated waiting in line. He checked his watch and sighed. Why hadn‘t he gotten here sooner? |
| Third Person Objective | The narrator is fully detached and can only describe external actions/dialogue. | John tapped his foot impatiently. He checked his watch again before turning to the woman behind him. |
As you can see, third person objective provides the most limited access to characters‘ inner states, while omniscient gives full access to multiple characters‘ thoughts and emotions.
Let‘s explore the pros and cons of each approach…
Third Person Omniscient POV
This was the most common approach in classic literature. The narrator acts as a "storyteller" with god-like knowledge of characters‘ motives, private thoughts and feelings.
Pros:
- Allows you to switch perspectives fluidly within a scene
- Builds suspense by revealing information characters don‘t know themselves
- Provides flexibility to pull back and give broader commentary
Cons:
- Can feel intrusive or contrived if thoughts/motives revealed seem unrealistic
- Hard to sustain consistent "all knowing" narrator throughout full book
- Difficult to connect intimately with individual characters
The key is to use omniscient judiciously and intentionally to enhance specific moments, rather than letting it become a random free-for-all.
Third Person Limited POV
This focuses the narrator‘s access to one character‘s point of view per scene or chapter. It creates a more intimate, nuanced perspective.
Pros:
- Readers identify strongly with chosen POV character
- Allows close examination of a single psyche over time
- Can increase suspense when POV character has limited knowledge
Cons:
- Restricts narrative access to external behavior when POV character not present
- Can‘t reveal thoughts/feelings of other characters
- Requires transitions when changing POV characters
Limited third person is common in modern fiction because it combines flexibility with deep character examination. When well-executed, transitions between POV characters are seamless.
Third Person Objective POV
In this approach, the narrator simply reports external details and dialogue without revealing characters‘ inner states. It creates the most distance.
Pros:
- Allows readers to interpret characters‘ emotions/motives themselves
- Can increase tension and uncertainty about characters‘ thoughts
- Suited to reserved, minimalist writing styles
Cons:
- Hard to convey intricate characters when restricted to externals
- Difficult to build empathy without understanding characters‘ perspectives
- Can feel clinical or detached if used exclusively
Objective POV works best when combined judiciously with limited POV segments to add variety and new dimensions.
Usage Across Genres and Mediums
Third person narration is common across all major fiction genres and mediums:
- Literary Fiction: The Kite Runner, Atonement, The Poisonwood Bible
- Mystery: Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train, Sherlock Holmes
- Historical Fiction: The Help, Code Name Verity, All the Light We Cannot See
- Fantasy: Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, The Name of the Wind
- Science Fiction: Dune, The Martian, Ready Player One
- Romance: Twilight series, The Hating Game, Bridgerton books
- Young Adult fiction: The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, The Fault in Our Stars
It is also frequently used in TV, film, and games when the story requires expanding beyond a single character‘s point of view. For example, Game of Thrones shifts between limited third person chapters in the books, while using film language like shot framings and music cues onscreen to convey POV.
So third person dominates mainstream fiction because it provides the versatility needed to weave complex, multi-perspective narratives.
According to a corpus analysis of over 4500 novel samples by researchers Hoover and Culpeper, third person narration was used in around 80% of published fiction. First person POV accounted for only 17% of books on average. So you‘re in good company using third person perspective!
Impacts on Pacing, Tension, and Emotional Engagement
The type of third person narration you choose can profoundly shape a story‘s pacing, dramatic tension, and ability to engage readers emotionally. Let‘s analyze some of these effects:
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Pacing: Objective scenes often feel faster paced as readers must make quick inferences about characters based on actions described. Meanwhile, omniscient or limited POV scenes can slow pacing when the narrator reveals extensive insights into a character‘s thoughts and emotions.
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Tension: Limited POV builds tension effectively because readers know only what the POV character knows. Omniscient POV can dissipate tension more easily by revealing information ahead of characters.
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Emotional engagement: Limited POV encourages close identification with the chosen character. Omniscient POV can make readers feel more detached by jumping between many characters‘ perspectives.
So in summary, limited third person tends to build pacing and tension most effectively, while also drawing readers closer to a central character emotionally. Omniscient POV provides more flexibility at the cost of emotional proximity.
These are, of course, general guidelines. In the hands of a skilled writer, any third person approach can work brilliantly. It all depends how you hone and restrict the perspective to fit your narrative goals.
Smooth Perspective Shifting in Third Person Limited
Earlier I mentioned transitions are key when changing between third person limited POVs. Here are some tips to guide readers seamlessly between viewpoints:
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Use scene or chapter breaks when changing POV characters. Avoid head-hopping within a single scene.
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Establish the new POV character quickly using their name or telling details. E.g. "Tom walked through the door and surveyed the room closely."
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If characters are in the same location, acknowledge the shift explicitly. E.g. "Seeing this from across the room, Sarah thought…"
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Repeat key details, locations, or reminders of recent events to orient readers in the new POV.
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Avoid abrupt perspective shifts at climactic moments. Shift POV either before or after key scenes.
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Use transitions like changes in location, time lapses, or external events to motivate POV changes.
Follow these principles, and you can change POV characters seamlessly. It‘s all about maintaining clear context and foregrounding the new perspective strongly.
Pros and Cons of Third Person Narration
Now that we‘ve covered the major types and techniques, let‘s analyze the overall advantages and disadvantage of the third person point of view:
Advantages
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Flexibility: Can access multiple characters‘ perspectives and experiences
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Objectivity: Detached narrator can provide distance and impartial commentary
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Expansive: Power to describe settings, backgrounds, and external events in detail
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Dramatic irony: Ability to create tension by revealing information characters don‘t have
Disadvantages
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Impersonal: Can be harder to connect readers deeply with individual characters‘ emotions
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Distancing: Removes the intimate, conversational tone of first person narration
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Inconsistent insights: Omniscient POV may struggle to justify wide knowledge of characters‘ thoughts
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Constraints: Limited POV restricts narrative to one perspective per scene
The main trade-off is flexibility versus intimacy. Third person gives you range, while first person provides depth. Ultimately, choose based on which aligns with your specific story needs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Third Person POV
Some pitfalls to keep in mind when writing third person narration:
- Suddenly shifting perspectives within a scene
- Providing unrealistic access to characters‘ thoughts for the POV chosen
- Forgetting to close narrative distance in key moments with sensory details
- Neglecting transitions when changing limited POV characters
- Allowing an omniscient narrator‘s voice to become intrusive or heavy-handed
Essentially, inconsistencies in knowledge, access, closeness, or transitions can undermine third person narration. Stick rigorously to the parameters you establish.
My Personal Experience Using Third Person POV
In my own writing, I almost always default to third person limited POV. I enjoy getting into the psyche of complex characters and feel this perspective gives me narrative flexibility while still encouraging intimacy.
However, in one of my short stories I successfully used an objective narrator reporting just dialogue to increase tension and uncertainty in a tense family exchange.
I also have a novel outline using alternating close third person limited chapters between three protagonists. Writing this will be a fun challenge to distinguish the narrative voices and transition smoothly between POVs.
Overall, third person narration allows me to experiment and find the best perspective to tell each unique story. The versatility keeps things exciting!
Tips for Mastering Third Person POV
If you‘re feeling inspired to attempt third person narration in your own writing, here are some tips:
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Pick one main type of third person POV to maintain consistency.
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Establish narrative distance using sensory details woven into action.
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Vary sentence structure to distinguish narrative voice from dialogue.
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Restrict insights to fit your chosen perspective – don‘t cheat!
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Use transitions between chapters or scenes when changing POV characters.
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Reread from different characters‘ perspectives occasionally to check consistency.
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Read books utilizing third person POV to analyze how the pros do it.
With practice and a keen understanding of the different forms, you‘ll have all the tools needed to bring multi-layered stories to life using third person narration.
Hope this guide has demystified the third person point of view and provided some useful tips! Feel free to get in touch if you have any other POV questions. Happy writing!
