literature review third person

Uncomplicated Reviews of Educational Research Methods

Writing a literature review.

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What is a Literature Review?

A literature review is not an annotated bibliography in which you summarize briefly each article that you have reviewed. While a summary of what you have read is contained within the literature review, it goes well beyond merely summarizing studies. It focuses on a specific topic of interest to you and includes a critical analysis of the relationship among different works, and relating this research to your work. It may be written as a stand-alone paper or to provide a theoretical framework and rationale for a research study (such as a thesis or dissertation). ( Mongan-Rallis, 2006 )

Seven Simple Rules

Here are seven simple rules that cover the most common literature review mistakes, in no particular order. Refer to these rules before submitting any written work:

Do not write in the first person (no I or we).
Single space after all punctuation. This is APA format. If you double space by habit, use Find and Replace in Microsoft Word to replace double spaces with single spaces.
Pay attention to capitalization on the References page. Only capitalize the first letters of titles and after punctuation. Capitalize and italicize all first letters in journal titles.
Limit direct quotations to two, total, in the review and always include author, year, and page numbers for direct quotations. For example, (Galvan, 2006, p. 76). Paraphrase!
Everything is double-spaced – not single, not triple, double. Everything is double-spaced.
Use subheadings for the different points in your review.
Only use peer-reviewed sources. Newspapers and magazines do not count as peer-review references. Here is a quick guide to telling the difference.

Guidelines for Writing a Literature Review The following guidelines are modeled after the similarly titled guidelines by Dr. Helen Mongan-Rallis . Both forms are based on Galvan’s (2006) text , and sections of this guide have been quoted directly or with only minor revision from both sources . This adaptation is organized to reflect a three-part approach I found effective for pacing students. I typically recommend six-eight weeks for writing a first review. The three sections include:

Steps 1-4: Finding Research (one-two weeks)

Steps 5-6: Analyzing and Organizing (two-three weeks)

Steps 7-9: Citing and Writing (three-four weeks, repeating 1-6 as needed) In addition to using this guide, you should also (a) locate and browse examples of literature reviews in your field to get a feel for what they are and how they are written and (b) read other writing guides to see different perspectives and approaches. Examples include:

Review of Literature : UW–Madison: The Writing Center.
How to. . .Write a Literature Review: UC–Santa Cruz: University Library.
Information Fluency: Literature Review: Washington & Lee: Leyburn Library.

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Third-Person Writing: A Guide for Effective Academic Writing

By Eric Eng

In this post, we will explore the concept of third-person writing and its importance for academic writing. We will discuss the benefits of using third-person language, provide examples of how it can be used in different types of academic writing, and offer practical tips for incorporating it into your writing. By the end of this post, you will have a solid understanding of third-person writing and how to use it effectively in your academic work.

Academic writing is a fundamental part of any high school student’s education, and mastering the art of writing in a clear and concise manner is essential to academic success. One key aspect of effective academic writing is the use of third-person language, which can help writers create a more objective and authoritative tone.

What is third-person writing?

What is third-person writing? Third-person writing is a style of writing that involves using pronouns such as “he,” “she,” “it,” “they,” or “one” to refer to individuals or objects instead of using first- or second-person pronouns like “I,” “me,” “we,” “us,” “you,” or “your.” Third-person language is commonly used in academic writing to create a more objective and authoritative tone.

For instance, instead of saying “I believe,” third-person writing would say, “It can be argued.” This writing style can be particularly effective when presenting research or making a persuasive argument, as it allows the writer to distance themselves from their ideas and present them as more balanced and objective.

Writing in the third person differs from first- and second-person writing in several key ways. First-person writing involves using pronouns like “I,” “me,” “we,” or “us” to refer to oneself or a group of individuals. This writing style is often used in personal narratives, memoirs, or opinion pieces, where the writer’s personal experiences or opinions are central to the piece.

Conversely, second-person writing involves using pronouns like “you” or “your” to address the reader directly.

a female high school student looking at the camera

This writing style is often used in instructional or self-help texts, where the writer gives advice or instructions to the reader. In contrast, writing in the third person avoids direct references to the writer or reader and instead focuses on the topic or subject. This writing style can be particularly effective in academic writing , where objectivity and a neutral tone are often valued.

The benefits of using third-person writing in academic writing

Using the third-person point of view in academic writing offers several benefits, including creating a more objective and authoritative tone. By using third-person pronouns instead of first-person pronouns, writers can present information more neutral and unbiased. This can be particularly important in academic writing, where presenting a balanced and objective perspective is often valued.

Writing in the third person can also help writers distance themselves from their arguments and present a more balanced perspective. By using third-person pronouns, writers can avoid appearing overly confident or biased. Instead, they can present their arguments in a more measured and thoughtful way, allowing readers to make their judgments about the validity of the arguments presented.

Moreover, it can be especially useful in academic writing that involves research. When presenting research findings or making a persuasive argument, writers may be tempted to rely heavily on first-person language to convince readers of the validity of their claims. However, this can undermine the persuasiveness of the argument.

Using third-person writing instead can help writers present their research findings and arguments in a more objective and authoritative way, ultimately making their work more convincing to readers.

In summary, using a third-person point of view in academic writing can help writers create a more objective and authoritative tone, distance themselves from their arguments, and present a more balanced perspective. By using third-person pronouns and language effectively, writers can make their writing more persuasive and ultimately more successful in communicating their ideas to their readers.

What are the words to avoid in third-person writing?

What are the words to avoid in third-person writing? When writing in the third person, it’s important to avoid using first- and second-person language, as these types can make the writing appear less objective and authoritative. Here are some examples of words and phrases to avoid when writing in the third person:

First-person pronouns: This includes words like “I,” “me,” “my,” “we,” and “us.” Avoid using these pronouns in the third-person point of view.
Second-person pronouns include words like “you” and “your.” Avoid using these pronouns, as they can make the writing feel more direct and less objective.
Imperative verbs: Imperative verbs are those that give commands or instructions, such as “do,” “make,” or “take.” These verbs should generally be avoided as they can make the writing feel less objective and more directive.
Personal opinions: It’s important to avoid including personal opinions or biases. Instead, focus on presenting the facts and allowing readers to draw their conclusions.

By avoiding these words and phrases, writers can create more effective and authoritative third-person writing better suited for academic and professional contexts.

Examples of third-person writing in academic writing

The third-person point of view is commonly used in various academic writing contexts, including research papers, literature reviews, and essays . Here are some examples of how third-person writing can be used effectively in these contexts:

Research papers: In research papers, it can be used to present research findings and conclusions in a more objective and authoritative manner. For example, instead of saying, “I found that,” a third-person point of view would say, “It was found that.” This helps to create a more neutral tone and emphasizes the importance of the research itself rather than the researcher’s personal experience.
Literature reviews: In literature reviews , it can be used to summarize and analyze existing research in an objective and authoritative way. For example, instead of saying, “I think that this study is important,” third-person writing would say, “This study has been found to be important by previous researchers.” This helps to emphasize the research’s importance and present it more objectively and neutrally.
Essays: In essays, it can be used to present arguments and evidence in a more balanced and persuasive manner. For example, instead of saying, “I believe that,” a third-person point of view would say, “It can be argued that.” This helps to present the argument in a more objective and authoritative way, which can be particularly important in persuasive essays.

The potential benefits of using third-person writing in each of these contexts include the following:

Creating a more objective and authoritative tone.
Emphasizing the importance of the research or argument rather than the writer’s personal experience or opinion.
Presenting information in a more balanced and neutral way.

By writing in the third person effectively, writers can make their academic writing more effective and persuasive, ultimately helping to communicate their ideas more effectively to their readers.

Tips for using third-person writing in academic writing

To effectively incorporate third-person writing into academic writing, consider the following tips:

Use active voice: Using active voice can help to make the third-person point of view more engaging and direct. For example, instead of saying, “It was found that,” say, “Researchers found that.” This can make the writing feel engaging rather than passive and dull.
Vary sentence structure: To avoid overusing third-person pronouns, try to vary sentence structure. For example, instead of repeatedly using “he” or “she,” try using more descriptive phrases or words, such as “the researcher” or “the author.”
Avoid personal opinions: In third-person writing, it’s important to avoid personal opinions or biases. Instead, focus on presenting the facts and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions.
Use reliable sources: In academic writing, it’s important to use reliable and trustworthy sources to support your arguments. Make sure to cite your sources properly and avoid using biased or unreliable sources.
Proofread carefully: Finally, proofread your writing carefully to ensure you’ve used third-person language consistently and effectively. Look for instances of first- or second-person language and replace them with third-person language, as necessary.

Common mistakes to avoid when using third-person writing in academic writing include overusing third-person pronouns, failing to vary sentence structure, and using vague or ambiguous language. Additionally, it’s important to avoid using personal opinions or biases, as this can undermine the objectivity and authority of your writing.

By following these tips and avoiding common mistakes, you can effectively incorporate third-person pov into your academic writing and create more persuasive and authoritative pieces.

In conclusion, using third-person writing can be a powerful tool for high school students looking to improve their academic writing. Students can create a more objective, authoritative, and balanced tone in their writing by avoiding first- and second-person language and using third-person pronouns and another language.

The benefits of using third-person writing include presenting research findings and arguments in a more neutral and objective manner, emphasizing the importance of the research or argument rather than the writer’s personal experience or opinion, and presenting information in a more balanced and neutral way.

By incorporating these tips and avoiding common mistakes, students can make their academic writing more effective and persuasive.

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Third Person Point Of View Explained (With Examples)

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the Third Person Point of View in narrative writing.

This article delves deep into what constitutes a narrative point of view, focusing on the third-person perspective. We explore its historical evolution , analyze its different types (limited, omniscient, objective), and discuss its varied applications across different literary genres . Additionally, we compare it with first and second-person narratives to provide a complete understanding of its unique attributes. Whether you're a budding writer or a seasoned author, this article offers invaluable insights into mastering the art of third-person narration.

Table of Contents

What is Narrative Point of View?

What is third person point of view, historical evolution of third-person point of view, different types of third person point of view, genre-specific uses of third-person point of view, flexibility and adaptability of third-person point of view, comparative analysis with first and second person narratives, subjective and objective narrative point of view, omniscient and limited narrative points of view, advantages and disadvantages of third person point of view, comparative view with first and second person povs, frequently asked questions, final thoughts.

When writing a novel, you must choose which narrative viewpoint will work best for you and your book. This choice of narrative point of view is an essential part of any writing journey.

The most common narrative point of view is a third person viewpoint. In third person point of view the narrator refers to all characters with a third person pronouns such as 'he', 'she', or 'they'.

In other words, the narrator is not a story's character but a separate entity.

In this article, you'll learn about third person point of view. You'll discover the best variety of third person point of view and when to apply third person perspective to your writing.

To fully understand third person point of view, we must first look at narrative viewpoint in general.

In fact, we must take one step further back and consider narration as a whole.

Wikipedia describes narration as 'the use of a written or spoken commentary to convey a story to an audience'. [ source ]

In other words, it is the way a story is told to the reader.

Narration is split into three elements:

Narrative point of view : the grammatical person used by the narrator to refer to the character being narrated.
Narrative tense : the consistent use of the grammatical tense of either past or present.
Narrative techniques : methods of conveying the story.

Of these three elements, it is narrative point of view that interests us.

The person who tells a story is known as the narrator; this might be a character in the story, but it might also be a separate 'voice' independent of the other characters.

The narrative point of view is determined by 'who' tells the story and 'how the story is told'.

There are three different types of narrative view point: first person viewpoint , second person viewpoint and third person viewpoint.

This article looks at first person.

If you would like to learn more about the specifics of all different points of view, this extensive article called Mastering Point Of View In Writing: A Comprehensive Guide will prove to be an effective resource.

One way to identify your viewpoint is to look carefully at your pronouns. This pronoun will often tell you a lot about the viewpoint.

In third person point of view, the narrator refers to all characters with third-person pronouns such as 'he', 'she', or 'they'.

So 'they' can be considered a third person pronoun.

Remember, the narrator is not a character in the story and is a separate entity, this means they will refer to characters as separate people and not use a pronoun such as 'I"/.

Third person point of view is, by far, the most common method of storytelling and has been the viewpoint of choice for some of the best-known stories in the English language. Here's the opening from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice a novel famously written from a third person point of view.

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters. "My dear Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?" Mr. Bennet replied that he had not. "But it is," returned she; "for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it." Mr. Bennet made no answer. "Do you not want to know who has taken it?" cried his wife impatiently. "You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it." This was invitation enough.

One clear distinction of the third person point of view is that the narrator is someone separate from the novel's characters. In fact, the narrator is almost always unidentified. This leads to a third-person narrator often being called an 'anonymous narrator'.

This is very different from a first-person narrator, where the narrator is both identified and a character within the novel.

The origins of the third-person point of view in literature can be traced back to ancient epic tales and classical texts. These early examples often employed a narrative style that was external to the characters, focusing on their actions rather than internal thoughts.

During the Renaissance, the third-person narrative began to evolve, offering deeper character insights. The Romantic and Victorian eras saw further development, with authors like Jane Austen and Charles Dickens using this perspective to explore complex social themes and character psychology. The Modernist movement brought experimental approaches to third-person narration, challenging traditional storytelling methods.

In contemporary literature, the third-person point of view continues to be versatile, adapting to various narrative styles and genres. Recent trends include the blending of third-person with other perspectives and the use of a more intimate, character-focused approach. This evolution reflects the ongoing innovation in storytelling techniques and the diverse ways in which writers engage with their readers.

When learning about third person points of view, the most confusing element for new writers is the distinction between the different types of third-person viewpoints. All third person point of view is written using a detached and anonymous narrator, but the information the narrator possesses about the characters differs significantly between different types of viewpoint.

All third person points of view sit somewhere on an axis between subjective/objective and omniscient/limited.

We look at these in more detail below, but it is essential to understand that all third-person viewpoints will be between subjective and objective and omniscient and limited. In most cases, a viewpoint tends to be either subjective OR objective and omniscient OR limited. This is not always the case. Some narrative stances can move along these axes as the story progresses, but this is uncommon.

Third-Person Limited POV

In the Third-Person Limited POV , the narrator tells the story from the perspective of one character at a time. This approach provides insight into the thoughts and feelings of the focal character, while other characters are presented externally. It's akin to looking over the shoulder of the protagonist, experiencing the world and events through their eyes. This POV is particularly effective in creating a deep connection with the character while maintaining the authorial distance of third-person narration.

Third-Person Omniscient POV

The Third-Person Omniscient POV offers a 'godlike' perspective, where the narrator knows everything happening in the story world. This includes access to the thoughts, feelings, and backgrounds of all characters. It allows for a broad and all-encompassing view of the narrative, making it ideal for complex stories with multiple characters and intricate plots. The omniscient POV can provide a comprehensive understanding of the events and motivations behind characters' actions.

Third-Person Objective POV

The Third-Person Objective POV presents a more detached view. Here, the narrator reports events without delving into the internal thoughts or feelings of any character, akin to a camera recording the unfolding action. This style creates a sense of objectivity and is often used in journalistic writing or stories where the focus is more on events than on characters' internal experiences. It leaves much to the reader's interpretation, as they only witness actions and dialogues without being privy to the characters' internal states.

The third-person point of view offers unique advantages in various literary genres, each employing this perspective to enhance storytelling in distinct ways. From the expansive worlds of fantasy to the intricate character dynamics in romance, this point of view adapts to the needs of different narratives. Let's explore how the third-person POV is tailored to enrich the reader's experience in key genres like Fantasy and Sci-Fi, Mystery and Thriller, and Romance and Historical Fiction.

Fantasy and Sci-Fi

In Fantasy and Sci-Fi genres, the third-person point of view is pivotal for world-building and handling complex plotlines. It allows authors to introduce fantastical elements and expansive universes from a perspective that can encompass vast settings and multiple character arcs. The omniscient viewpoint is particularly useful in these genres, providing a godlike view of invented worlds and the intricate interplay of characters within them. For example, George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series masterfully uses this POV to navigate a complex world with a large cast of characters.

Mystery and Thriller

For Mystery and Thriller novels, the third-person limited POV is often preferred. It allows readers to follow the protagonist's journey closely, unraveling mysteries and encountering surprises alongside them. This POV can also shift between characters, offering varied perspectives on the unfolding plot and enhancing the suspense. An excellent example of this is Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl , where the third-person limited perspective deepens the mystery and complexity of the narrative.

Romance and Historical Fiction

In Romance and Historical Fiction , the third-person limited POV is frequently used to delve deep into characters' emotions and relationships, while also providing historical context. It balances the intimacy of first-person with the broader scope of third-person, allowing for a detailed exploration of the characters' internal and external worlds. The narrative can switch between the perspectives of different characters, offering a comprehensive view of their emotions and the dynamics of their relationships. A notable example is Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice , which uses third-person limited POV to explore the nuances of romantic relationships and social dynamics of the era.

The third-person point of view stands out for its remarkable flexibility and adaptability in storytelling. This versatility allows writers to adjust the narrative's lens as needed, seamlessly shifting from an overarching, all-knowing perspective to a more focused, character-specific view. The third-person POV can provide a broad view of the story world and its various inhabitants or zoom in to offer a detailed, intimate portrayal of a single character's experiences and perceptions.

Its adaptability extends to how it can accommodate shifts in tone, perspective, and narrative depth. Writers can choose to narrate events in a straightforward, objective manner or adopt a more subjective approach, delving into the characters' innermost thoughts and feelings. This flexibility makes the third-person POV an excellent choice for a wide range of literary works, from intricate multi-character epics to deeply personal character studies.

Moreover, the third-person perspective can bridge the gap between the immersive, personal experience of the first-person POV and the broader, more inclusive scope of an omniscient narrator. It allows authors to maintain narrative consistency while still providing the freedom to explore the inner workings of their characters' minds or to step back and present events in a more detached, unbiased manner.

In the realm of narrative writing, choosing the right point of view (POV) is crucial for shaping the reader's experience. This section offers a comparative analysis of the third-person POV against the first and second-person perspectives. Each POV brings its unique flavor to storytelling, influencing the reader's connection with the narrative. Understanding these differences helps writers select the POV that best suits their storytelling goals.

Comparison with First Person

Compared to the first-person POV , where the story is told directly by a character using "I," the third-person POV provides more narrative flexibility. First-person narration offers an intimate, subjective view of the story, deeply immersing readers in the narrator's personal experiences and emotions. In contrast, third-person narration can offer varying degrees of objectivity and omniscience, enabling a wider view of the story world and multiple characters' perspectives.

Comparison with Second Person

The second-person POV , which addresses the reader as "you," creates a unique, direct engagement with the narrative, often placing the reader in the protagonist's shoes. This POV is less common and can offer an intense, immersive experience. The third-person POV, by comparison, provides a more traditional storytelling format, allowing readers to observe the story from a distance, without the direct involvement implied by second-person narration.

Balancing Perspective

Choosing between first, second, and third-person POVs depends on the desired narrative impact. The third-person POV strikes a balance between the intimate connection of first-person and the immersive directive of second-person. It can be tailored to either bring readers closer to the characters' inner worlds or provide a panoramic view of the story, making it a versatile tool for storytellers to achieve their desired narrative effect.

Third person point of view subjective narration involves a narrator with access to one or more character's personal feelings and thoughts. In other words, the narrator understands the thoughts and feelings of, at least, one character.

This is a common type of storytelling. The narrator typically focuses on one character (though not always), who is the main character.

A great example of Third-person subjective narration is Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea .

He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish. In the first forty days a boy had been with him. But after forty days without a fish the boy's parents had told him that the old man was now definitely and finally salao, which is the worst form of unlucky, and the boy had gone at their orders in another boat which caught three good fish the first week. It made the boy sad to see the old man come in each day with his skiff empty and he always went down to help him carry either the coiled lines or the gaff and harpoon and the sail that was furled around the mast. The sail was patched with flour sacks and, furled, it looked like the flag of permanent defeat.

Third person point of view objective narration sees the narrator not describing the feelings or thoughts of any characters but, rather, just the exact facts of the story.

The narrator tends to be very 'de-humanized' and detached from the story. This approach is often called "fly-on-the-wall" or "camera lens", since the narrator will describe events and actions but provide no explanation or character thoughts.

This type of viewpoint was popular in the 19th century with large, sweeping narratives. It is also occasionally called 'over the shoulder' narration. It sees the focus with one character and the narrator describing only the events perceived and information known by this character.

This approach is very similar to first-person, but produces a narrower and more claustrophobic version of the third person viewpoint.

Perhaps the most famous example of this type of third person viewpoint is Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway.

The hills across the valley of the Ebro' were long and white. On this side there was no shade and no trees and the station was between two lines of rails in the sun. Close against the side of the station there was the warm shadow of the building and a curtain, made of strings of bamboo beads, hung across the open door into the bar, to keep out flies. The American and the girl with him sat at a table in the shade, outside the building. It was very hot and the express from Barcelona would come in forty minutes. It stopped at this junction for two minutes and went on to Madrid. "What should we drink?" the girl asked. She had taken off her hat and put it on the table. "It's pretty hot," the man said.

Third person omniscient point of view is an approach that sees the narrator knowing everything that is happening within the story's world, including what each of the characters is thinking and feeling.

This viewpoint stance is very common and is used by some of the most famous writers, including Charles Dickens. It is the approach that works best when looking to produce complicated plots with deep, complex characters. One major drawback is that it is impossible to create an unreliable narrator since the reader has access to events, thoughts, and feelings throughout the world.

Below is the opening to Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities , an example of third person omniscient point of view.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

Third person limited point of view sees the narrator conveying the knowledge and subjective experience of just one character. In other words, the narrator is focussed on a single character and only knows this character.

This is a very common narrative approach and is, perhaps, the most common storytelling format for popular novels in the Twentieth Century. One of the most successful uses of First-person limited narration is J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.

The example below is taken from Jack London's To Build a Fire .

"Day had dawned cold and gray when the man turned aside from the main Yukon trail. He climbed the high earth-bank where a little-traveled trail led east through the pine for- est. It was a high bank, and he paused to breathe at the top. He excused the act to himself by looking at his watch. It was nine o'clock in the morning. There was no sun or promise of sun, although there was not a cloud in the sky. It was a clear day. However, there seemed to be an indescribable darkness over the face of things. That was because the sun was absent from the sky. This fact did not worry the man. He was not alarmed by the lack of sun. It had been days since he had seen the sun."

Third person point of view offers several advantages and disadvantages to writers that should be considered when choosing the narrative voice for their work. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of this point of view can help writers make the best decision for their particular story. Here are some of the key advantages and disadvantages of third person point of view:

Advantages:

Multiple perspectives: Third person point of view allows for the narrative to switch between different characters' perspectives, giving the reader a more well-rounded understanding of the events and emotions of the story. This can be particularly useful for complex stories with multiple protagonists or for exploring different sides of a conflict.

Objectivity: Third person point of view creates a more neutral and objective tone, allowing the reader to form their own opinions and judgments about the events and characters in the story. This can be especially important in writing that deals with controversial or sensitive subjects.

Distance: Third person point of view can provide a sense of distance between the narrator and the events of the story, making it easier for the reader to step back and analyze what is happening without being overly emotionally invested. This can be useful for conveying a more detached or analytical perspective.

Disadvantages:

Limited emotional connection: One of the main drawbacks of third person point of view is that it can be more difficult for the reader to form an emotional connection with the characters and events in the story. This can result in a less immersive and impactful reading experience.

Conveying inner thoughts and feelings: Another challenge with third person point of view is conveying the inner thoughts and feelings of the characters. In order to do this, the writer must use indirect methods such as dialogue, actions, and descriptions, which can be less effective than showing the reader directly what the characters are thinking and feeling.

Limited intimacy: Third person point of view can also create a sense of distance between the reader and the story, making it harder for the reader to become fully immersed in the world of the story. This can limit the intimacy and emotional impact of the writing.

In conclusion, third person point of view can be a powerful tool for writers, but it is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages carefully when making the decision to use it. Understanding the strengths and limitations of third person point of view can help writers make the best choice for their story and create the most effective narrative voice for their work.

For more information on the different types of third person point of view, you can refer to Wikipedia's article on third person point of view .

Understanding the distinctions between first, second, and third-person points of view is essential for writers aiming to choose the best narrative style for their story. This section provides a comparative view, highlighting how each POV uniquely shapes the narrative and influences the reader's experience.

The first-person POV offers a deep, personal insight into the narrator's mind, creating an intimate bond with the reader. The second-person POV , though less common, directly addresses the reader, often creating an immersive, interactive experience. The third-person POV , with its varying degrees of knowledge and objectivity, provides a more flexible and encompassing narrative tool. It allows writers to move seamlessly between the subjective experiences of characters and an objective, broader view of the story world.

Each POV has its strengths and is suited to different types of stories and narrative techniques. The choice depends on the story’s requirements and the experience the writer wishes to convey to the reader.

Below are some frequently asked questions that will provide you more information.

What is an example of a third person point of view?

In third-person point of view, the most common choice for writers, the narrator refers to all characters with third-person pronouns like 'he', 'she', or 'they'.. In other words, the narrator is not a character in a story and is a separate entity. For example, 'Jason used his pocket money to buy himself comic books.'

What is 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person examples?

First person uses the pronouns: I, me, my, mine, myself, we, our, ours, ourselves. Second person uses: You, your, yours, yourself. Third person uses: She, her, hers, herself, he, him, his, himself, they, them, themselves, their, theirs.

What are the 3 types of third person point of view?

Third-person omniscient point of view.
Third-person limited omniscient.
Third-person objective.

These are all outlined in this article.

What is third person point of view in writing?

Third person point of view in writing refers to the narrator describing the events and characters in the story using third-person pronouns such as "he", "she", and "they".

What are the different types of third person point of view?

There are three types of third person point of view: third person limited, third person omniscient, and third person objective.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using third person point of view in writing?

Advantages of third person point of view in writing include the ability to easily switch between different characters' perspectives, and creating a more neutral and objective tone. Disadvantages include limited emotional connection with the reader and difficulty conveying the inner thoughts and feelings of characters.

The majority of mainstream novels published are written in third person. The chances are that if you have never considered viewpoint when writing your novel, then you are writing in third person point of view.

The biggest choice faced by many writers will be what type of third person point of view to adopt. Here, the most common choice is third-person limited, with a focus on a single character.

Perhaps the most important factor in deciding which narrative viewpoint to adopt is the type of story you are trying to tell. Stories with wide, overarching, and epic storylines tend to suit third person omniscient point of view. However, closer, more personal stories may well be better suited to third-person limited.

Third person point of view is not the only kid on the block. You might also consider writing from first person point of view. This is when the narrator and character are the same person The main advantage of first person point of view is that you are able tell a story in a way that allows the reader to connect fully with the main character. The main disadvantage of first person point of view is that it can sometimes be difficult to pass information to the reader if the main character is unaware of that information. You can read this article to find out more about first person point of view.

If you are looking for professional feedback on your novel, we can provide affordable book editing . Alternatively, our mentoring service allows you to work one-on-one with a professional editor.

What is writing in the third-person or first-person? When do I use them and when not?

The first-person voice is from the writer's perspective and shares emotion, thought processes, personal experiences, and reflection. First-person writing uses pronouns such as I and me .

Example sentence in first person:

Fifteen years in the restaurant business tells me that, after food quality, success is all about location.

The third-person voice is objective writing that is designed "to present information or communicate ideas without obvious bias or emotion" (McWhorter, 2012, p. 280). The author's personal perspective is removed, and therefore points and ideas made in the writing need to be more carefully defined and supported with evidence or proof.

Example sentences in third person:

New restaurateurs frequently underestimate the importance of location to the success of their business. According to one restaurant owner, "having the right location can either make or break your restaurant" (10 restaurant mistakes, 2008, para. 4) while another says "no restaurant succeeds without...a great location" (Haden, 2012, para. 8).

The second-person voice makes use of the personal pronoun you and should be avoided in formal and academic writing.

In a nutshell:

The writing you do in college and in your professional life will be "less about yourself and more about ideas...less writing is done in the first person ( I, me ) and much more is done in the third person ( it, they, he, she ). When given a writing assignment, make sure it is clear how much of your personal experience and personal opinion, if any, is appropriate for the assignment" (McWhorter, 2012, p. 24).

How do you know if first person or third person is appropriate?

Consider the issue you are writing about
Consider the purpose of your writing
Consider your audience
Ask your instructor if you are in doubt!

APA and First/Third Person

Does APA have anything to say about first-person or third-person? Yes, in a roundabout way. See section 3.18 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for more information.

APA asks writers to use active voice rather than passive voice. This means that first-person writing is allowed in APA papers when the writers are sharing how they set up their research methodology (conducted interviews, tested hypotheses, etc.).

Yes (active): We conducted our interviews in Marathon County .

No (passive): The interviews were conducted in Marathon County.

It also means that third-person is preferred when authors should be objective, as in a literature review or when sharing background information and supporting evidence.

Third-person voice is preferred for most student research papers.

Haden, J. (2012, Jan. 23). Start a killer restaurant: 6 tips. Inc .

http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/tyson-cole-how-to-start

-successful-restaurant-6-tips.html

McWhorter, K. T. (2012). Successful college writing. Bedford/St. Martin's.

10 restaurant startup mistakes [Blog post]. (2008). Restaurant Blogger.

https://therestaurantblogger.com/10-restaurant-startup-mistakes/

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Understanding Third-Person (Omniscient, Point of View, Examples)

What does it mean for something to be written in the third-person? What about writing in the second person or first person?

Don’t get intimidated by the terms. It’s all smoke in mirrors. Keep reading to learn the difference between novels written in the first, second, and third person perspectives.

What does it mean to write in the third person?

Writing in the first, second, and third person refers to the point of view that the narrator takes on in telling a story.

What’s point of view?

A story’s point of view describes the perspective or viewpoint from which the story is being told. Point of view responds to the question ‘ who is telling the story?’

To distinguish between points of view, look to see which person is speaking to the reader and describing the story’s events.

The three main types of POV

There are three main categories of points of view:

First-person point of view.
Second person.
Third-person point of view.

Let’s go over each.

First-person point of view

Think about how we communicate in our day-to-day lives . We speak from our own personal experience and point of view. When we talk to our friends, we speak in the first person, using first-person pronouns, such as , I , me , my , myself , we , us , ourselves , and so on.

It works the same in writing.

When writing is in the first person perspective, the main character speaks to their experiences personally or from a personal point of view. They describe their own experiences almost as though they are conversing with the reader.

From the first person, readers are invited into the character’s head, it’s as though we listen to them narrate the events directly. In this way, the first-person perspective allows more intimate access to a character’s thoughts, feelings, emotions, opinions, and so on.

When novels are written in the first person, they are often told by the main character in the story themselves. They could also be told from the perspective of a character closely observing the main character. An example of the latter is in the classic novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Nick Caraway, the narrator of the novel, is not a central character in the story but instead observes the main characters (such as Jay Gatsby) in close proximity.

Other novels written in the first person are narrated by the main characters themselves, detailing their direct experience of the events as they unfold throughout the novel’s length, or in hindsight, through recollection.

A classic novel that exemplifies this is The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger . The novel’s protagonist and main character, Holden Caufield , tells the story entirely from his character’s POV.

See the following examples of writing in the first person POV.

Examples of writing in the first person POV in literature

I was glad of it; I never liked long walks, especially on chilly afternoons: dreadful to me was the coming home in the raw twilight, with nipped fingers and toes, and a heart saddened by the chidings of Bessie, the nurse, and humbled by the consciousness of my physical inferiority to Eliza, John , and Georgiana Reed. —from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth. —from Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.

The widow she cried over me, and called me a poor lost lamb, and she called me a lot of other names, too, but she never meant no harm by it. She put me in them new clothes again, and I couldn’t do nothing but sweat and sweat, and feel all cramped up. —from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident. I maintain that the Ewells started it all, but Jem, who was four years my senior, said it started long before that. He said it began the summer Dill came to us, when Dill first gave us the idea of making Boo Radley come out. —from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Second person

In the second-person point of view, the speaker or narrator of the novel addresses the reader directly by using second-person pronouns, such as you .

The second person perspective is the least common perspective used in fiction writing and storytelling.

Second-person pronouns refer to the person or people being addressed in the sentence or writing. Pronouns that are in the second person include you , yours , yourself , yourselves .

Examples of writing in the second person in literature

You are about to begin reading Italo Calvino’s new novel, If on a winter’s night a traveler. Relax. Concentrate. Dispel every other thought. Let the world around you fade. Best to close the door; the TV is always on in the next room. Tell the others right away, “No, I don’t want to watch TV!” Raise your voice — they won’t hear you otherwise — “I’m reading! I don’t want to be disturbed!” Maybe they haven’t heard you, with all that racket; speak louder, yell: “I’m beginning to read Italo Calvino’s new novel!” Or if you prefer, don’t say anything: just hope they’ll leave you alone. —from If On a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino.

You are not the kind of guy who would be at a place like this at this time of the morning. But here you are, and you cannot say that the terrain is entirely unfamiliar, although the details are fuzzy .—from Bright Lights, Big City by Jay McInnerney.

This was the last thing you and I talked about while you were still alive. After, only your email with a list of books you thought might be helpful to me in my research. And, because it was the season, best wishes for the new year. —from The Friend by Sigrid Nunez.

Third person point of view

The most common narrative choice in literature is the third-person POV. The dictionary defines the third person narration as:

The grammatical person used by the speaker of an utterance in referring to anyone or anything other than the speaker or the one (third person singular) or ones (third person plural) being addressed. ( Dictionary.com )

When a story is told in the third person, it’s from a third person concerning the events taking place within the story. The third person perspective reports the events to the reader from the outside, as though from a bystander’s perspective, removed from the story itself.

Writing in the third person narrative uses third person pronouns, such as: he , she , it , they ; his , her , it’s ; him , her , it ; himself , herself , itself ; they ; them ; their ; themselves .

Third person omniscient vs. third person limited

The third-person viewpoint is the most common in fiction writing and storytelling. There are two main subtypes of the third person POV: the third person omniscient point of view and the third person limited perspective .

First-person limited

With first person limited, the narrator closely follows the perspective of a single character, usually the main character or protagonist of a novel. Third person limited uses third person pronouns such as he , she , his , hers , etc .

This viewpoint gives the author both flexibility and intimacy by allowing them to enter the character’s head and inner thoughts while still being able to write in third-person pronouns.

That said, the limited aspect of this point of view is that the speaker can only access the mind of a single character as opposed to all of the characters in the story; as in the case of third person omniscient.

The readers are therefore limited in this way to view the main character’s viewpoint and personal account or understanding of things. The central character offers the widest lens through which to understand or see the story. The other character’s thoughts and feelings are unknown unless they come out throughout the course of the novel in other ways or through inference and speculation on the part of the viewpoint character.

Examples of writing in the third person limited POV

“Harry sat up and examined the jagged piece on which he had cut himself, seeing nothing but his own bright green eye reflected back at him.” . —J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows .

Stepan Arkadyevitch was a truthful man in his relations with himself. He was incapable of deceiving himself and persuading himself that he repented of his conduct. He could not at this date repent of the fact that he, a handsome, susceptible man of thirty-four, was not in love with his wife, the mother of five living and two dead children, and only a year younger than himself. —Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina.

Third person omniscient narration

The third-person omniscient is the most common view of all the narrative options in fiction writing. The third person omniscient gives the narrator an all-knowing or ‘god’s eye’ POV.

It’s a tricky concept, but with the third person omniscient, the narrator is already aware of the main character’s thoughts, along with everyone else in the story. This does not mean each character becomes the narrator themselves, but rather that the narrator observes each character and decides what to reveal to the reader.

When stories are narrated not by one of the main characters themselves but from an outside observer looking in, or an unidentifiable narrator, this is in the third person omniscient POV. The third-person omniscient point of view gives the writer creative liberty to entirely create an entire world of developed and dynamic characters of their choosing.

Third-person examples in literature

Occupied in observing Mr. Bingley’s attentions to her sister, Elizabeth was far from suspecting that she was herself becoming an object of some interest in the eyes of his friend. Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty: he had looked at her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticize. —from the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

“Rupunzel, Rupunzel” the Prince called, “Let down your hair!” Rupunzel unbraided her hair and slung it out the window. The Prince climbed her locks into the tower. —Brother’s Grimm fairy tales

Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself. For Lucy had her work cut out for her. The doors would be taken off their hinges; Rumpelmayer’s men were coming. And then , thought Clarissa Dalloway, what a morning—fresh as if issued to children on a beach. — Mrs Dalloway , Virginia Woolf.

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,” grumbled Jo, lying on the rug. “It’s so dreadful to be poor!” sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress. “I don’t think it’s fair for some girls to have plenty of pretty things, and other girls nothing at all,” added little Amy, with an injured sniff. “We’ve got Father and Mother, and each other,” said Beth contentedly from her corner. The four young faces on which the firelight shone brightened at the cheerful words, but darkened again as Jo said sadly, “We haven’t got Father, and shall not have him for a long time.” She didn’t say “perhaps never,” but each silently added it, thinking of Father far away, where the fighting was. — Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Stories told in the first person narrative recount the events of the story from the character’s own personal perspective of the events that are taking place around them. In the first person narrative, it’s as if the reader gains access to the character’s internal mind, thoughts and feelings. They use personal pronouns such as I , me , my , ours , we , and so forth.

In the second person the speaker directly addresses the reader in the second person pronouns, you , yours , yourself , yourselves . This perspective makes you the main character, and is least common in writing.

Third person is most common, and gives the narrator an outside position from the story events. There are two main types: first person limited and omniscient .

Definition of first person narration
Definition of second person narrative
Definition of third person narration
Mrs Dalloway, Virginia Woolf 1925
If On a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Inside this article

Fact checked: Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Learn more.

About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

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Should I write a peer-review in third person?

While it is generally accepted to write papers using the collective we, what is a common practice for writing peer-reviews: I, this reviewer, or something else?

For example,

This reviewer has a minor concern with how pink elephants are defined in this paper. It would have been helpful if authors defined an elephant first, and then added the color pink.

I have a minor concern with how pink elephants are described in this paper. My recommendation is to define an elephant first, and then add the color pink.

peer-review

13 This user would find a review using constructions like "This reviewer" extremely strange. – Lazzaro Campeotti Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 13:07
5 Since it sounds like you're a first-time reviewer and that you've not received many reviews of your own papers, I'm guessing you're a PhD student. I'd strongly advise that you have a chat with your advisor about what is expected when reviewing papers. Obviously, do continue to ask any specific questions here, but a general chat with somebody who is already familiar with reviewing in your field will be very helpful to you. – David Richerby Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 18:29
3 @DavidRicherby I just graduated. The reason I asked the question was because my adviser always required me to use "this reviewer" phrase, while I have never seen the style in the reviewers I received, and it does not match my style. Now, that I am on my own and forming my own style, I thought I would ask a larger community for feedback. – Orion Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 18:58
@Orion OK -- that makes sense. Since your advisor's use of the phrase "This reviewer" seems a little unusual, it might be worth having a general chat with somebody else, too. – David Richerby Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 19:18

3 Answers 3

I recommend the first person. Like most good linguistic constructions, the reader passes over it without explicitly noticing it, whereas your first construction with "this reviewer" holds up the entire mental process for a split second.

The idea of using the third person to "soften" the criticism: well, Paul Garrett knows how much I esteem him, and we usually see eye-to-eye on things. But this time I simply disagree. The reviewer is empowered -- nay, enjoined -- to supply an opinion on the work. If you want to shade your opinion, explain very carefully and explicitly why you are doing that. Switching to the third person should not convey that you are less sure of yourself, and it does not convey that to my ear.

[Imagine my answer began with "This academic". Wouldn't that have been more distracting?]

2 Even though (in math) I always know the names of the authors, I do always refer to them as "the author" or "the authors". – Oswald Veblen Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 0:55
2 I wouldn't even say the criticism is always "softened" by using the third person. I emphasizes that the statement expresses one person's subjective opinion, which may well be unreasonable or different from other people's opinions. This reviewer , on the other hand, emphasizes the position the person is in, thereby underlining the implicit assumption of authority and making the criticism kind of irrevocable, much more severe than with the I . – O. R. Mapper Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 8:50
4 Unrelated to that, I'm not sure I'd consider passive voice the correct term here. – O. R. Mapper Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 8:51
2 @O.R.Mapper Indeed: it's the third person, not the passive voice. The passive voice is the construction "This sentence was written in the passive voice", as distinct from the normal "I am writing this sentence in the active voice." In the passive, the natural object of the verb ("write") becomes the subject of the sentence. – David Richerby Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 9:06
1 @O.R. Mapper: Yes, you're right. Looking back at my answer, I was even a bit surprised to see that I had used the term. – Pete L. Clark Commented Jul 25, 2014 at 15:46

I have a third take on the issue: this is not about the reviewer nor the author, is about the work and as such, I think that it should be the subject of the sentence:

The paper could benefit from a redefinition of pink elephants, possibly defining elephants in general at first and then by adding the color pink

In my opinion this has the benefit of making the review less personal and make it come through as more objective.

This is, of course, always the best option, and it is good to be stated. However, my question was intended for the situations when you want or need to add a personal take. – Orion Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 15:36
3 Shades of meaning. If I think something is very unclear, I'll say that "The definition of pink elephants is unclear": that makes it fairly clear that I think it's the authors' fault I couldn't understand their definition. If I think it might be me being a bit dim, I'll say that "I found the definition of pink elephants hard to follow." Bear in mind that a review is , explicitly, a personal opinion on the paper. Sometimes, it's not really appropriate to make your subjective opinions look objective by writing in the style of "The definition is unclear." – David Richerby Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 18:34
@DavidRicherby I was following the example provided in the question and in that case it seems to me that an impersonal take would fit better. The meaning of the review does not change, how it is received by the author does. – Federico Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 18:57
@Federico Whether you say "This reviewer thinks the definition is unclear" or "I think it's unclear" makes no difference. But "This definition is unclear" does carry a different weight, by being presented as an objective fact rather than a personal opinion. – David Richerby Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 19:20
2 @Federico You seem to be saying that it's always better to write reviews in the style of "The definition is unclear" rather than "I found the definition unclear"; you say that this comes across as less personal and more objective. I disagree. The "I found the definition unclear" phrasing carries a different meaning and you should use whatever phrasing carries the meaning you intend to convey. Reviews are necessarily subjective and phrasing a subjective judgement as if it were an objective fact is not necessarily accurate. – David Richerby Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 19:38

If you're writing a review that will be read only by the editor, you can use "I", but if you want to simplify the editor's life by giving them something to cut-and-paste, or forward, to the author:

In English, in mathematics at least, the contemporary style for publicly-consumed reviews seems to be to refer to oneself, the reviewer, as "this reviewer". Thus, "in the opinion of this reviewer...", "this reviewer cannot understand why the author is so dense..." :)

There are some observable exceptions, where a reviewer is enough of a big-shot to not merely "suggest" that the author has erred, but to be snarky about it, and in either first person, or an exaggerated third-person. My own opinion is that it is not nice to do this. That is, a forthright voice is best, and choice of voice not depending on status is tasteful.

4 Does "publicly-consumed" mean "will be seen by the author" or "will be seen by everyone" (such as for the AMS Bulletin or Math Reviews)? As an author, I've certainly received reviews of my papers written in first person. – Nate Eldredge Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 0:12
6 I don't think the difference between first and third person should have anything to do with the amount of confidence in the assertion. Moreover, referring to oneself in the third person is in most contexts awkward and stilted. There are places in which it is done as sort of an in-joke or hat-tip to the format: e.g. journalists sometimes refer to "this reporter"; in MathReviews one often speaks of "this reviewer". But I think that's an affectation, which happens to in certain very specific circles be accepted. In a referee report I would (and do) certainly write "I". – Pete L. Clark Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 0:16
1 On MathSciNet I do avoid "I" and "We* in reviews. – Oswald Veblen Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 0:59
3 I think the editors of Mathematical Reviews (= MathSciNet) routinely change "I" and "we" to "the reviewer". As for referee reports, I don't think I ever explicitly thought about how to refer to myself, but, looking back at a sample of reports that I've written, I found that I consistently used the first person. – Andreas Blass Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 3:48
3 I don't see any need to write in the third person just because the editor is going to forward your report to the authors. The authors understand perfectly well that, if a referee report says "I think your paper is awesome", it means the referee, not the editor. Most reviews I receive are written in the first person. – David Richerby Commented Jul 24, 2014 at 7:19

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First, Second, and Third Person: How to Recognize and Use Narrative Voice

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Identifying Narrative Voice

Ah, narrative voice.

It can be tricky. Identifying the point of view in a novel can be somewhat confusing. It doesn't have to be, though! With this handy little guide, we'll help you detect first, second, and third person as simply as possible.

Using the first lines of famous novels, it's time to spot the differences between the different narrative voices. Let's start from, well, the beginning.

First Person

First, second, and third person are all a type of grammatical person. To identify which one is used, you have to find the pronouns in the sentence.

In the following sentence, the pronouns "my" and "I" indicate that the person is speaking in the first person:

"In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since." —F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

In the first person, the speaker is speaking about himself or herself. Simple, right?

The above example is one of the first-person subjective case, meaning it refers to the subject who performs the action. "I" is used for a singular subject, and "we" is used for more than one subject, including the speaker.

There are three cases in total; along with the subjective case, there are also the objective case and the possessive case. The objective case uses the pronoun "me" or "us" to denote the objects of the sentence that receive the action.

"Call me Ishmael." —Herman Melville, Moby Dick

Finally, there is the possessive case: "my, mine, ours," which indicates, of course, possession.

"Lolita, light of my live, fire of my loins." —Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita

These are all examples of the first-person point of view.

Second Person

"You are about to begin reading Italo Calvino's new novel, If on a winter's night a traveler ." —Italo Calvino, If on a winter's night a traveler

What is this strange narrative voice? Though second-person point of view isn't as popular as the others, it does crop up from time to time, so let's review it. In the second-person point of view, the subjective and objective cases take the same pronoun, "you," and the pronoun is the same for singular and plural subjects alike. Neat, huh?

The possessive case simply uses "yours," making the second-person point of view simple to identify. Easy as pie!

Third Person

The third-person point of view is used when the subject is being spoken about. This point of view is a little trickier because it introduces gender into the mix. The feminine subjective singular case is "she," the masculine subjective singular case is "he," and the neuter subjective singular case is "it." When pluralizing, the pronoun is "they," regardless of gender.

Phew! It sounds scary, but it doesn't have to be. To replace the noun with the pronoun "he" or "she," you must be very certain of the subject's gender. Here are some examples:

"Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself." —Virginia Woolf, Mrs. Dalloway "When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin." —Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis

With the objective case, "him" (masculine), "hers" (feminine), "it" (neuter), and "them" (plural) are used. The third-person plural, "they" and "theirs," are used to refer to a group of individuals that does not include the speaker. Finally, the possessive case for the third-person narrative voice is "his," "hers," "its," and "theirs."

"Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." —Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

It is important to note that the narrative voice does not include dialogue. A third-person point of view in a novel might read like so:

"Once an angry man dragged his father along the ground through his own orchard. 'Stop!' cried the groaning old man at last, 'Stop! I did not drag my father beyond this tree.'" —Gertrude Stein, The Making of Americans

Even though the pronoun "I" is used within the dialogue, this is still considered to be in the third-person point of view, as the narrative voice uses third-person pronouns (in this quote, "his").

Trickier Examples

But wait! What about instances where there is no pronoun or the subject doesn't seem to appear in the sentence? Sometimes, it's trickier than usual to identify the point of view.

"A screaming comes across the sky." —Thomas Pynchon, Gravity's Rainbow

There are no pronouns in this sentence, but if we continue to read, it becomes clear that the novel employs the third-person perspective, as evidenced by the use of the pronoun "he":

"It has happened before, but there is nothing to compare it to now. It is too late. The Evacuation still proceeds, but it's all theatre. There are no lights inside the cars. No lights anywhere. Above him lift girders old as an iron queen, and glass somewhere far above that would let the light of day through. But it's night. He's afraid of the way the glass will fall—soon—it will be a spectacle: the fall of a crystal palace."

Taking a heftier sample from the text will help clear confusion. While we've used first lines to demonstrate the narrative voice, make sure you take a sample larger than a single line, as it's easy to be duped. Another example:

"They're out there." —Ken Kesey, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Though the only pronoun that appears in the sentence is "they," which implies a third-person point of view, this novel actually uses the first-person point of view, and the subject doesn't actually appear in the sentence. Also, make sure you take samples from multiple points in the text. Some novels change points of view throughout.

"This is the story of a lover's triangle, I suppose you'd say—Arnie Cunningham, Leigh Cabot, and, of course, Christine. But I want you to understand that Christine was there first." —Stephen King, Christine

While good ol' Stephen King here begins his novel in the first-person point of view, the story is in three parts, and the middle part is in the third-person point of view. Oy vey! But don't worry; by paying attention to the pronouns, you can identify narrative voice easily.

If the text uses "I," "we," "me," "us," "my," "mine," or "ours" as pronouns, then you have a first-person point of view.
If it uses "you," "your," or "yours" as pronouns, then you have a second-person point of view.
If it uses "he," she," "it," "they," "him," "hers," "them," "their," "his," "its," or "theirs" as pronouns, then you have a third-person point of view.

And remember, don't include dialogue in your detective work.

This SlideShare can be a great resource to help you remember how to identify narrative voice:

Employing Narrative Voice

Now that you know how narrative voice works and can identify the different points of view, you'd like to write a famous first line of your own. But what point of view should you use? Does it even really matter?

We're here to tell you that it absolutely matters. There are important considerations to be made when deciding on your point of view. Get your pencils ready, because one of these is perfect to tell your story. Maybe your very own first line will be famous one day .

When writing in the first-person point of view, there are a few considerations that are important. First, how is this story being told? Is this being written down or told aloud? Is this meant to be a private telling or public? This will affect the tone and the language of your piece.

It is also important to consider how much time has passed between events. If the events are happening right now, there will probably be a larger emotional reaction from the narrator. But if the events of the story have occurred in the past, your narrator may be more objective.

In addition, you must decide who is telling the story. I know, I know, but bear with me—we’re almost through. Will your protagonist be telling the story, or will a witness tell the story? Perhaps the events happened a long time ago, and the story is being retold. So many decisions to make!

Every choice has implications. Allowing your protagonist to tell the story gives more intimacy between reader and character . It might also allow you to play with an unreliable narrator. If a witness tells the story, you could argue that the witness is more objective (or less, in the case of poor Nick Carraway of The Great Gatsby ). If an impartial member is retelling the story, it's possible that the narration is more reliable.

So, what do you think? Lots to consider, right? Well, don't choose this point of view just yet—we still have two more to play with.

The second-person point of view is by far the least common, but when used correctly, it can have a great effect.

This narrative voice is often used for your protagonist to speak to an earlier (or younger) version of himself or herself. It's difficult to pull off because, often, it's unclear to the reader whom the writer is addressing.

You can also use this point of view to speak directly to the reader, as illustrated by Calvino in the aforementioned example.

If you make it very clear from the beginning whom the narrator is addressing, it is possible to pull off the second person. So don't discount it from the get-go. However, it's not just a gimmick, so a lot of deliberation is necessary.

Here it is, at last. The Big Kahuna. The third-person point of view dominates most popular and contemporary literature. That's because it's so diverse, and there are so many ways to play with it. Let's take a look.

There are three main types of third-person point of view: limited, objective, and omniscient. The limited point of view is arguably the most popular. We're allowed a close look into a single character, which often links the reader to your protagonist.

It's fun to play with because you can manipulate the distance a bit. A close third-person limited point of view looks into the thoughts and feelings of only a single character. Many novels step back from this to allow for a wider scope. It's all about distance.

So if we're linking to a single character, don't tell us how another one is feeling. Stepping back every now and again to examine another character distances us from the protagonist, which can be used advantageously. A lot to consider . . .

The objective point of view is when the narrator tells you what the narrator sees and hears without describing the thoughts and feelings of the protagonist.

I bet you can guess what's coming next!

Ah, the omniscient point of view, hammered into the brains of students everywhere. It is, of course, the all-knowing narrator. This narrator knows everything about everyone (it's like the Gretchen Weiners of narrators). But don't be fooled. What your teachers didn't tell you is that not everything has to be shared. Just because this narrator knows everything doesn't mean the narrator is not selective about the information garnered.

See? Things just got more interesting.

Having Fun with It

Most fun of all? You can play with the tone and voice of your narrator in any of the third-person points of view. It doesn't have to be linked to your character's voice, or yours, at all. Maybe your narrator is sarcastic or pities your main character. Maybe he or she is really tired and doesn't even want to be telling this story. Or maybe the narrator of the story was secretly the villain all along ( dun, dun, dun . . .).

It's entertaining, right? Have fun with it!

Not to be the soccer mom handing out popsicles because " all the kids are the most valuable players," but each point of view has its own strengths to be used for different advantages. That said, they also still have limitations. Sorry, Timmy, but you cannot score a goal from across the field just yet.

Taking all this knowledge into consideration, we want to see those brains storming away! Putting a pen to paper to try all the different narrative voices is the best way to see which one will work for you. All you need to do now is give it a shot.

Whew! Don't you feel better now? You know everything there is to know about narrative voice. You can identify all the different points of view by identifying pronouns outside dialogue. And you know the advantages and disadvantages of each grammatical person, so you can employ your very own point of view.

Now all that's left to do is to write your famous first line. Something with a nice ring to it, like, "It was a pleasure to burn." Wait . . . I think that one's taken. Sorry about that, Mr. Bradbury.

Header image source: Yastremska/BigStockPhoto.com

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What are the Types of 3rd person Point of View? How to Use Them.

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I often talk about the different questions or should I say “doubts” I had about my own writing when I decided to self-publish. One of the concepts I wanted to make sure I had down cold was the use of 3rd person point of view in my story. Read this if you want to know more about all types of Point of View.

In this article, I figured I would put some of that research to use and share what I learned specifically about 3rd person point of view to maybe save a fellow Newbie author some angst.

Article Topics

What is Point of View in Literature

First, I think it’s important to briefly explain what point of view in literature is.

Point of View is essentially the angle an author decides to tell the story from. Think of your point of view as the camera lens you choose to tell your story through. This is your narrators perspective.

There are three primary points of view to choose from.

First Person – The narrator tells the story from his/her own perspective. example: (“I slammed the door.”)
Second Person- The narrator tells the story about you the reader. (” You slammed the door.”)
Third Person- The narrator tells the story of someone else. (“He slammed the door.”)

As an author, you need to consider how much information you want to share with your readers before picking a point of view. Once you know the perspective your story’s narrator should give about the events in the novel, you are ready to pick a point of view.

As promised, in this article we will focus on the different types of the Third Person Point of View. Third person point of view enables the narrator to tell the story from a greater distance, as opposed to taking a first-hand part in the action.

The Different Types of 3rd Person Point of View

There are several different types of 3rd Person Point of View. Definition of Third Person Limited: The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of one character only, that character is followed throughout the story and is normally the protagonist. Definition of Third Person Omniscient: is when the narrator knows all the thoughts, feelings, motivations of all the characters in the story. He jumps from character to character to show how they contribute to the plot as it moves forward. Defintion of Third Person Objective: The narrator shows us what is going on without any insight into the feelings and thougths of any character. The narrator is thought to be impartial and not partial to any one characters beliefs or feelings. Definition of Third Person Subjective: The narrator shares the thoughts and feelings of one or more characters. The reader is exposed to the how the character views and feels about what is going on in the story.

Third Person Limited Point of View Explained

Third person limited is one of the most common points of view used in literature. In this point of view method, the Author is restricted to knowing the thoughts and feelings of only one character.

This means the narrator has no perspective into the internal thoughts, feelings, or motivations of the other characters.

Third Person Omniscient Point Of View Explained

In Third Person Omniscient, the narrator is not limited to any one character. The narrator can be a character in the story like an all-knowing god or deity, or he can be an all know non-entity.

This style isn’t often used in modern day literature. It can also be hard to pull off since the narrator knows everything about the story, so you need to carefully craft why the narrator shares the information they do at the time they do it.

If you don’t do this well, your story will risk annoying your readers by feeling contrived and convenient. Or worse yet you may have them feeling angry that the narrator new everything the entire time, just took too long to share it without any real reason.

Third Person Objective Point of View

In the third person objective the story is told from a seemingly impartial narrator without adding any personal feelings or thoughts to the events that are being described.

This form of narration can be thought of as a floating camera that floats above the characters recording what’s going on. This point of view keeps a lot of distance between the readers and the characters, and hence isn’t often used throughout an entire novel.

Third Person Subjective Point of View

Third Person Subjective is sometimes confused with the omniscient third person, but the difference is that the narrator in third person subjective adopts the view of the character.
So the author can see into the mind and feelings of the character, but he has limited insight into the other characters around him.
SIMPLE (he can only take one character’s point of view) or
Example of 3rd person subjective Global : George R. R. Martins first book A Game of Thrones in the best selling hit series A Song of Ice and Fire. In A Game of Thrones , the narrator jumps into a new character in every chapter allowing him to analyze the same event from multiple angles in this way.

How to know if Third Person Subjective is the right choice for your story.

You can ask yourself these questions to find out if Third Person Subjective is the best option for your novel.

Do You want him/her to have a limited perspective?

Meaning do you want your narrator’s perspective to be limited to one character at a time. This means he doesn’t know what the other characters are thinking or what their motivations are.

2. He explains one part of the story and suggests the rest?

Unlike the omniscient point of view where the author knows everything about the story. In 3rd person subjective your narrator will only know events as they directly relate to the character in question, for the rest it’s subjective.

3. He/She identifies with the character he is representing?

In third person subjective the narrator is not a character in the story, his opinions and judgments are those of the character.

4. Do I want to create a stronger connection between character and reader?

As a result of the narrator assuming the perspective of the character, the reader can develop a closer bond with the character.

Examples of Books written in 3rd Person Omniscient

Here are some popular books that are written from the 3rd person omniscient point of view.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts
Walk of Shame by Lauren Layne
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

You can check out a much bigger list of books written in the 3rd party omniscient on GoodReads .

Examples of books written in 3rd Person Limited.

1984 by Geoge Orwell
Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone by J.K. Rowling
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Partials by Dan Wells
The Hero and Crown by Robin McKinley

Here is a list of other books written in 3rd person limited on Goodreads.

A conclusion to our guide of the different Types of 3rd person point of view used in literature

I hope this article has helped you better understand the different types of 3rd person point of view narration.

Some other really important things to remember when you are picking your point of view. Consistency is king, make sure you are sticking to your point of view throughout the novel.

If you are using 3rd person subjective global perspective, it is important that you don’t jump haphazardly between characters. If you jump too quickly between your characters it could be jarring for your readers and you risk losing them.

There is a reason that the majority of novels written today are in the 3rd person point of view. While the concept of point of view seems simple at first, it tends to be a subject that gets a little more confusing the more you think of it. So it is important to have a good handle on what you want your story to be and the role your narrator will play in delivering that experience to your readers. Once you have that worked out in your head it will make it easier to execute.

Many times the execution or mechanics of sticking to your selected point of view can get tricky. So if you find yourself getting confused, take a step back and ask yourself:

What is my intended point of view?

If it’s 3rd person subjective global – ask yourself which character perspective is being used to describe what is going on?

This should help pull you back and ground you back in the appropriate narrator’s point of view.

Thanks for Writing and Reading!

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Your trusty englit guide.

First person vs third person: when to use which?

A question I often get about writing is whether it is ever ‘okay to write in first person’.

My answer to this is almost always – ‘it depends’:

It depends on the type of writing we’re talking about; whether you’re writing a personal essay, an argumentative essay, an expository essay, a literary commentary, a speech, a letter, a corporate communications document, or fiction (for this, using first or third person is entirely a personal decision).

It depends on the tone that you wish to convey; it depends on the audience that you intend to address; it depends, also, on the frequency with which you use it in a given piece of writing.

But first, let’s get our definitions in order –

First-person narrative: The use of the pronoun ‘I’ (singular) or ‘we’ (collective) to communicate or narrate from a subjective point of view. Second-person narrative: The use of the pronoun ‘you’ (singular or collective) to communicate or narrate in a way that directly addresses the reader Third-person narrative: The use of pronouns ‘he’, ‘she’, ‘it’ (singular), ‘they’ (collective) to communicate or narrate from an external point of view

One interesting point to note is that first person is not always necessary for writing to come across as authentic or individual. An essay narrated in third person primarily focused on describing external elements such as the environment and material objects could very well convey deep, personal emotions; it is your craft, not the pronoun, that determines the depth of expression. An excellent example is Virginia Woolf’s description of London in Mrs Dalloway :

“In people’s eyes, in the swing, tramp, and trudge; in the bellow and the uproar; the carriages, motorcars, omnibuses, vans, sandwich men shuffling and swinging; brass bands; barrel organs; in the triumph and jingle and the strange high singing of some aeroplane overhead was what she loved; life; London; this moment of June.”

As a general rule of thumb, using first person as the predominant voice of your writing is going to make you sound less formal than if you were to use third person, which tends to come across more objective in tone.

Between “I think studying English is a waste of time” and “Studying English is a waste of time”, which one sounds more authoritative to you?

The former tells us that one person thinks studying English is a waste of time, but the latter makes the statement as if it were a general, accepted truth. Note that I say “as if”, because the statement itself is not, in fact, a general truth, but is only conveyed to sound that way through my deliberate omission of the first-person pronoun ‘I’.

So for types of writing that require a high degree of subjective opinion (e.g. anecdotal accounts, op-eds, public speeches, or indeed, blog posts), using first person would make sense.

On the other hand, for essays that are more concerned with relaying facts (or projecting the impression of doing so!) or opinions external to oneself – which don’t have to be ‘factual’ (e.g. argumentative essay, expository essay, news report, scientific article), then perhaps it would be better to opt for the third-person voice.

difference between first person third person narrative and voice

The use of first vs third person in literary analysis

In this post, let’s look at the use of first-person voice in a specific type of writing: the literary analysis essay. If you’re an English literature student, this should be no stranger to you. For others, think of this as the kind of writing one would find in literary criticism.

Unlike the argumentative essay or the personal essay, the literary analysis essay defies categorical lines when it comes to narrative voice. This is because, despite the clear subjectivity in a kind of writing that is, in essence, a personal response to a literary work, this ‘personal response’ nonetheless seeks to persuade and establish authority in the vessel of a ‘literary analysis’, specifically by formulating an argument based on ‘objective’ observations (i.e. ‘objective’ because you’re partly describing what’s written in a poem / a novel).

What does this mean, then?

Well, it tells us that while literary analysis is largely subjective in content, it often tries to be objective in tone. Commenting on literature isn’t quite the same as a casual book club conversation; it’s an exercise in rhetorical and aesthetic persuasion, for which you make a case about a specific interpretation of a text and convince your readers to see the logic behind it.

Of course, that’s not to say they necessarily have to agree with you (in fact it’s often better that they don’t), but unless you’re already an eminent literary scholar like Stephen Greenblatt or Christopher Ricks , then it’s probably best that you write your literary analysis more like a well thought-out argument, rather than a personal reflection.

In other words, use third-person where possible in your English essays, and feature the ‘I’ pronoun sparingly – if at all. There’s also a debate about whether using the first-person collective ‘we’ is acceptable (e.g. “We can infer from Macbeth’s speech that Shakespeare was wary of power’s effects on man.”) Some people think it’s presumptuous – and therefore dangerously collectivising; I actually think it’s marginally better than using ‘I’, but still less preferable to the trusty third-person voice (e.g. “Macbeth’s speech suggests that Shakespeare was wary of power’s effects on man.”)

I mentioned the English literary critic and professor Christopher Ricks, who has been called “the greatest living critic today” by even his most esteemed contemporaries. There’s no better way to learn than to learn from the best, so let’s examine how Ricks writes in a manner that doesn’t compromise the singularity of his views, but still manages to convey objective restraint in thought.

Christopher Ricks on Tennyson’s ‘Maud’ (from Tennyson )

Best known for his gothic, sentimental poetry, Alfred Lord Tennyson remains one of the most widely read Victorian poets today. His narrative poem, Maud: A Monodrama , tells of the tragic love between the eponymous character and the poem’s speaker. Our focus today is on the analysis, not the poem itself, so I’ll link to the poem here – if you’re interested in Victorian poetry or want to find a poem to practise your close reading skills on, I’d recommend that you give this a read.

Ricks, in his seminal study on Tennyson, demonstrates real elegance in his commentary on ‘Maud’, an excerpt of which I’ll reproduce below for your reference (and for some, enjoyment):

[Maud] is a poem about losing someone whom you have never really had. She is at first beautiful, but as a gem, as an epitome of womankind, as a phantasmal pulse, a dreamlike vision: Cold and clear-cut face, why come you so cruelly meek, Breaking a slumber in which all spleenful folly was drown’d, Pale with the golden beam of an eyelash dead on the cheek, Passionless, pale, cold face, star-sweet on a gloom profound; Womanlike, taking revenge too deep for a transient wrong Done but in thought to your beauty, and ever as pale as before Growing and fading and growing upon me without a sound, Luminous, gemlike, ghostlike, deathlike, half the night long Growing and fading and growing, till I could bear it no more, Among the things which [the speaker] cannot bear about Maud is the dread of her as a unique person; part of him wants her to be a snobbish puppet, part of him tries to divide her as he himself feels divided – and adore, Not her, who is neither courtly nor kind, Not her, not her, but a voice. His love never becomes perfect, so it never altogether casts out fear; but it replaces fear and masochism by awe: “And dream of her beauty with tender dread…” – tender, both as sympathetically moved and as touchingly bruisable. Tender dread is never in Maud to be succeeded by the sober certainty of waking bliss; but it is a human advance. For Maud is an unprecedented evocation of a deep fear of love. “And most of all would I flee from the cruel madness of love”: Maud is not a poem which uses the word ‘madness’ lightly; the essential madness is the fear of love, and the hero is thinking not of traditional cheerful pangs, but of the worst psychic cowardice and dismay. What he centrally fears is not that he cannot be loved but that he cannot love. Till a morbid hate and horror have grown Of a world in which I have hardly mixt, And a morbid eating lichen fixt On a heart half-turn’d to stone. ‘Hardly’ has a sardonic hardness. “Oh heart of stone, are you flesh, and caught/By that you swore to withstand?” Stone, but without the elegant fiction of statuary, which creates a flickering pun in “Wept over her” in these lines: She came to the village church, And sat by a pillar alone; An angel watching an urn Wept over her, carved in stone; So that it is not merely a social snub but an emasculating humiliation which is enforced by the threatening insouciance of Maud’s brother: But while I past he was humming an air, Stopt, and then with a riding whip Leisurely tapping a glossy boot, And curving a contumelious lip, Gorgonised me from head to foot With a stony British stare. The hideousness of the later debacle is that it forces the hero back into thinking he cannot love: “Courage, poor heart of stone!” he groans, “Courage, poor stupid heart of stone”. […]

While Ricks the person is never too close for comfort to the poem’s distraught speaker, Ricks the critic shows a level of microscopic sensitivity to the poet’s diction and a degree of fraternal empathy in his judicious, but not altogether detached, observation of the speaker’s conflicted emotions.

Notice as well that he’s able to convey his emotional response to Tennyson’s work without once having to summon the ‘I’ pronoun, or be jarringly explicit about his presence on the poem’s sidelines.

As an insightful observer of a poetic work, Ricks engages analytically through appreciation and personally through respect, most evidently shown by the constant ‘touchstones’ of quoted lines he uses to guide his commentary. He makes it clear that the critic’s opinion does not override the poet’s narrative.

This, surely, is no mere ‘analysis’, but intellectual pleasure in hermeneutic action.

From reading Ricks’ writing, then, it should become clear that using third-person is a good idea when writing English essays, as it enables you to write in a more sophisticated, considered manner, all the while expressing your unique views towards a text.

A final, but important note

As a final – and important – note, there’s another point to my meta-criticism of Ricks’ reading on Tennyson: reading literary criticism – good literary criticism – is absolutely necessary if you want to get better at writing literary analysis, or at English Literature in general.

While reading primary works (i.e. fiction and poetry) should always be the foundation of literary learning, it is equally important that we grant secondary work (i.e. literary criticism) the attention it deserves, because the act of interpreting literature is an art in itself.

Mind you, I’m not telling you to consciously mimic the way these critics write; my point is just that the more we read what they say and appreciate the way in which they say it, the more our writing style will take on the intellectual rigour and stylistic sophistication so evident in the prose of people like Ricks.

Do you use the first-person ‘I’ a lot in your writing? Or are you more partial to third-person? Comment below with your views!

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We Vs. They: Using the First & Third Person in Research Papers

Writing in the first , second , or third person is referred to as the author’s point of view . When we write, our tendency is to personalize the text by writing in the first person . That is, we use pronouns such as “I” and “we”. This is acceptable when writing personal information, a journal, or a book. However, it is not common in academic writing.

Some writers find the use of first , second , or third person point of view a bit confusing while writing research papers. Since second person is avoided while writing in academic or scientific papers, the main confusion remains within first or third person.

In the following sections, we will discuss the usage and examples of the first , second , and third person point of view.

First Person Pronouns

The first person point of view simply means that we use the pronouns that refer to ourselves in the text. These are as follows:

Can we use I or We In the Scientific Paper?

Using these, we present the information based on what “we” found. In science and mathematics, this point of view is rarely used. It is often considered to be somewhat self-serving and arrogant . It is important to remember that when writing your research results, the focus of the communication is the research and not the persons who conducted the research. When you want to persuade the reader, it is best to avoid personal pronouns in academic writing even when it is personal opinion from the authors of the study. In addition to sounding somewhat arrogant, the strength of your findings might be underestimated.

For example:

Based on my results, I concluded that A and B did not equal to C.

In this example, the entire meaning of the research could be misconstrued. The results discussed are not those of the author ; they are generated from the experiment. To refer to the results in this context is incorrect and should be avoided. To make it more appropriate, the above sentence can be revised as follows:

Based on the results of the assay, A and B did not equal to C.

Second Person Pronouns

The second person point of view uses pronouns that refer to the reader. These are as follows:

This point of view is usually used in the context of providing instructions or advice , such as in “how to” manuals or recipe books. The reason behind using the second person is to engage the reader.

You will want to buy a turkey that is large enough to feed your extended family. Before cooking it, you must wash it first thoroughly with cold water.

Although this is a good technique for giving instructions, it is not appropriate in academic or scientific writing.

Third Person Pronouns

The third person point of view uses both proper nouns, such as a person’s name, and pronouns that refer to individuals or groups (e.g., doctors, researchers) but not directly to the reader. The ones that refer to individuals are as follows:

Hers (possessive form)
His (possessive form)
Its (possessive form)
One’s (possessive form)

The third person point of view that refers to groups include the following:

Their (possessive form)
Theirs (plural possessive form)

Everyone at the convention was interested in what Dr. Johnson presented. The instructors decided that the students should help pay for lab supplies. The researchers determined that there was not enough sample material to conduct the assay.

The third person point of view is generally used in scientific papers but, at times, the format can be difficult. We use indefinite pronouns to refer back to the subject but must avoid using masculine or feminine terminology. For example:

A researcher must ensure that he has enough material for his experiment. The nurse must ensure that she has a large enough blood sample for her assay.

Many authors attempt to resolve this issue by using “he or she” or “him or her,” but this gets cumbersome and too many of these can distract the reader. For example:

A researcher must ensure that he or she has enough material for his or her experiment. The nurse must ensure that he or she has a large enough blood sample for his or her assay.

These issues can easily be resolved by making the subjects plural as follows:

Researchers must ensure that they have enough material for their experiment. Nurses must ensure that they have large enough blood samples for their assay.

Exceptions to the Rules

As mentioned earlier, the third person is generally used in scientific writing, but the rules are not quite as stringent anymore. It is now acceptable to use both the first and third person pronouns in some contexts, but this is still under controversy.

In a February 2011 blog on Eloquent Science , Professor David M. Schultz presented several opinions on whether the author viewpoints differed. However, there appeared to be no consensus. Some believed that the old rules should stand to avoid subjectivity, while others believed that if the facts were valid, it didn’t matter which point of view was used.

First or Third Person: What Do The Journals Say

In general, it is acceptable in to use the first person point of view in abstracts, introductions, discussions, and conclusions, in some journals. Even then, avoid using “I” in these sections. Instead, use “we” to refer to the group of researchers that were part of the study. The third person point of view is used for writing methods and results sections. Consistency is the key and switching from one point of view to another within sections of a manuscript can be distracting and is discouraged. It is best to always check your author guidelines for that particular journal. Once that is done, make sure your manuscript is free from the above-mentioned or any other grammatical error.

You are the only researcher involved in your thesis project. You want to avoid using the first person point of view throughout, but there are no other researchers on the project so the pronoun “we” would not be appropriate. What do you do and why? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

I am writing the history of an engineering company for which I worked. How do I relate a significant incident that involved me?

Hi Roger, Thank you for your question. If you are narrating the history for the company that you worked at, you would have to refer to it from an employee’s perspective (third person). If you are writing the history as an account of your experiences with the company (including the significant incident), you could refer to yourself as ”I” or ”My.” (first person) You could go through other articles related to language and grammar on Enago Academy’s website https://enago.com/academy/ to help you with your document drafting. Did you get a chance to install our free Mobile App? https://www.enago.com/academy/mobile-app/ . Make sure you subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://www.enago.com/academy/subscribe-now/ .

Good day , i am writing a research paper and m y setting is a company . is it ethical to put the name of the company in the research paper . i the management has allowed me to conduct my research in thir company .

thanks docarlene diaz

Generally authors do not mention the names of the organization separately within the research paper. The name of the educational institution the researcher or the PhD student is working in needs to be mentioned along with the name in the list of authors. However, if the research has been carried out in a company, it might not be mandatory to mention the name after the name in the list of authors. You can check with the author guidelines of your target journal and if needed confirm with the editor of the journal. Also check with the mangement of the company whether they want the name of the company to be mentioned in the research paper.

Finishing up my dissertation the information is clear and concise.

How to write the right first person pronoun if there is a single researcher? Thanks

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Point of View in Fiction: First Person, Second Person, and Third Person

Kirk McElhearn / 25 OCT 2023

The choice of point of view when writing fiction has an important effect on how a story is told.

One of the most important stylistic choices you make when writing a novel or a short story is how you deal with point of view. The narration of a novel is always told in a specific point of view: first person, second person, or third person. The same story told from a different point of view is a different story because the reader experiences it differently.

Here’s an overview of points of view, and how to choose which one to use for a novel or short story.

The three points of view

The three points of view in fiction correspond to the way we perceive the world. The story can be told through the eyes of I or we (the person telling the story, first person), you (second person), or them (third person). There can be variants for some of these points of view, but these are the three options available when writing fiction.

First person

First-person point of view is quite common. It brings a sense of intimacy and immediacy to a story. When the narrator tells a story using I, me, and we, it feels as though they are recounting the story directly to you, more so than second or third person. This point of view lets the reader experience the narrator's thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and is very useful in stories where character growth is a main focus. But there is a limit to first-person point of view: the reader only knows what the narrator knows, and only experiences what they experience. They are shut out from other characters.

However, first-person point of view is very effective in certain genres. Mysteries, particularly hard-boiled mysteries, often use a first-person point of view to heighten suspense and to bring out the unique natures of the investigators who are conducting quests in this sort of novel. Linear stories like this tend to work well with this point of view. The narrator of a novel in first person may be the protagonist, but they don't have to be. For example, all the Sherlock Holmes stories and novels are told by his sidekick Dr. Watson.

This point of view also allows the author to create an unreliable narrator. One example of this is the novel, Gone Girl , which features an interesting twist on the idea of first-person narrative. Other well-known novels told in first-person include The Catcher in the Rye , Marcel Proust's 3,000-page In Search of Lost Time , and an interesting use of the first person is Stephen King's From a Buick 8 , which is told in first person by multiple characters.

Second person

The second-person point of view is relatively rare, and for good reason. Reading a book with the narrator saying "you," can become tedious after a while. This approach is fairly common with gaming narratives or choose-your-own-adventure stories, but it is rare in standard fiction. There are exceptions, of course, one notably being Bright Lights, Big City , by Jay McInerney, which opens with the lines:

"You are not the kind of guy who would be at a place like this at this time of the morning. But here you are, and you cannot say that the terrain is entirely unfamiliar, although the details are fuzzy."

It's no mean feat to pull off, writing an entire novel in the second person, but it can be an interesting experiment to try.

Third person

Third person is, by far, the most common point of view in fiction. It has the advantage of allowing writers to shape a story around one or more protagonists, but still remain distant enough to note what happens around the characters. Close or limited third-person point of view is when an author tells a story from the point of view of a single character, yet can also introduce things around them, such as the things they see, hear, and smell, giving more flexibility through description than would be the case in a first-person narrative.

But third-person narrative is not limited to a single character. It is possible to change point-of-view characters in different chapters, even in different scenes, where each one is told in a limited third-person point of view. One example of this is the Game of Thrones cycle, where there are a dozen or more point-of-view characters in each novel. In stories with large scope, multiple point-of-view characters allow the story to be told across different times and different locations, though if there are too many point-of-view characters, it can be hard for the reader to follow.

When writing a novel with multiple point-of-view characters in Scrivener, you can use labels for each chapter or scene according to the point-of-view characters . Setting the Binder to show label colors allows you to easily spot which elements are told from which point of view, and this is also reflected in the Corkboard and Outliner.

Omniscient third-person point of view takes the narrator to a birds-eye view where they know all of the characters and their thoughts, feelings, and actions. This was very common before the 20th century, but the narrator can seem detached. While they can swoop into the mind of any character, at any time, they tend not to focus on a single character enough for that character to necessarily feel alive. Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Leo Tolstoy used third-person omniscient narration, as did James Joyce in much of Ulysses .

Which point of view to choose

The majority of fiction is written in third-person point of view, but first-person can be quite powerful. If you want to write a novel where the narrator has a distinctive voice, first-person is an excellent choice. Some genres are more adapted to first-person point of view: mysteries, thrillers, romance, young adult fiction, and others benefit from its immediacy.

It can be an interesting exercise to write several scenes or chapters from one point of view, and then rewrite them from a different point of view. If you're unsure which point of view to use for a novel, you might want to try this and see, which feels more comfortable.

Kirk McElhearn is a writer , podcaster , and photographer . He is the author of Take Control of Scrivener , and host of the podcast Write Now with Scrivener .

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First-Person Vs. Third-Person: All You Need To Know

When it comes to first-person vs. third-person, some writers choose their “person” based on the books they’ve read.

After all, if Harper Lee and J.D. Salinger can make first-person work to their main character’s advantage, why can’t they? Or, maybe, after reading the Harry Potter series, they think, “Third-person is definitely the way to go.”

But why not lay out all the advantages and disadvantages of both, so you can make an informed decision? Even then, you might try one and then switch to the other.

Knowing the differences, though, can give you a healthy headstart .

What’s the difference between first-person and third-person?

What is first-person , what is third-person , first-person vs. third-person: which point of view should you choose.

The main difference between them is their point of view of the story and its characters.

A first-person narrator uses “I” and “we” and speaks as one of the story’s characters — often the protagonist but not always. (Ever wanted to write a first-person POV novel from the villain’s point of view?)

The third-person uses “he,” “she,” and “they” and speaks as someone outside the story — not as one of the characters.

To get a better grip on 1st person vs. 3rd person, though, we need to look deeper and explore some of the best examples of both.

First-person point of view , of course, can only speak for the narrator and can only see things through the first-person narrator’s eyes.

Writing in first-person should come naturally if you’re used to writing journal entries , blog posts, or personal essays.

First-person establishes a kind of intimacy between the narrating character and the reader. It also invites the reader to identify with the one narrating the story from their perspective.

First-person is more subjective than third-person, which can be a problem if the reader finds it difficult to identify with the narrator’s attitudes, reactions, and general worldview.

If they do resonate with the reader, though, first-person can draw the reader in more effectively than a dispassionate third-person narrative of the same story.

Build a personal connection with the reader, and they’re more likely to stay with you to the end.

First-person writing examples:

Novels written in first-person POV:

The third-person narrator speaks as a storyteller/observer who knows more than the characters. As such, the choice of third-person gives the author two options:

With third-person, you can show the readers things the characters can’t see — or that they don’t take notice of until later.

You can also tell parts of the story from different characters’ perspectives, while still leading the reader along as the story happens.

With first-person, typically, the narrator is telling the reader a story that took place in the past. With third-person, unless the story is in the past tense, the reader experiences the events in the story as they happen.

T hird-person writing examples:

Novels written in third-person POV: