Point of View or Narrative Perspective is a central stylistic choice that is superficially simple but contains hidden difficulties and subtleties.  In the two parts of this article I will explore the three main types of narrative mode (first (I said), second (you said) and third (he said) person perspective), how to use perspective to manage the balance between intimacy and clarity, and how small shifts in point of view can be used to position the reader.  This won’t be a comprehensive overview, but I will be exploring some of the things I find interesting about the choice of narrative perspective.

First person perspective or Point of View (PoV) is written as if told by one or more of the central characters, either using “I” (first-person singular) or “we” (first person plural); “I said, I picked up the knife, we walked out of the door.”  Third person PoV is written from outside of the character; “he said, she picked up the knife, they walked out the door.”  But what difference does it make choosing one approach over the other? (more…)