The point of view can change the tone of an entire piece. Third person PoV: “ He rode the bicycle.”įourth person PoV: “ We rode the bicycles.”

Second person PoV: “ You rode the bicycle.” Each of these uses different word choices within the text to position the reader’s perspective. You have four narrative choices when selecting which point of view to use for your story. First, second, third, and fourth-person point of view They want to know that even if you take them deep into danger and darkness, you’ll bring them back out safely by the end. It’s a very intimate and close approach to writing a story, and when done well, can be a unique, nontraditional, and immersive experience.īecause there’s no distinction between the reader and the character, this perspective can be difficult to master and calls for a lot of trust from your audience. So you, as the writer, must craft a narrative where the reader feels as if they’re telling their own tale. Second-person point of view (or PoV) is a literary technique in which the author creates a sense of intimacy by directly addressing the reader or audience as “you.” It’s an uncommon perspective that treats the protagonist as if they’re off the page, living in the real world.īy writing in the second-person narrative voice and speaking directly to the reader, you immerse them in the plot as if they’re experiencing it for real. You decide to read the full article in order to learn how to master this interesting choice of perspective. Finally, you begin to believe there is hope for your fiction writing. You feel the tension in your shoulders ease. Maybe you’re wondering, are you strong enough to master this wild card of the writing craft? Is second person the best way for you to tell your story? Your eyes drink in the page as you read an article to learn how to write in the second-person point of view. Here’s a quick example of second-person point of view to get started: We’ll illuminate the nuances of second person by defining this elusive narrative choice, exploring how it compares to other viewpoints in fiction writing, and looking at examples of stories and books that have used second-person point of view successfully.

By breaking down the fourth wall and addressing the reader directly, you make the reader feel like they’re living in the world of your story. Learning how to write in the second-person point of view offers a powerful and unique way of connecting with your readers.

Where You End by Anna Pellicioli