What is the Meaning of Point of View in a Story?

The point of view (POV) in a story refers to who is telling the story or who is narrating it. It dictates the lens through which readers experience the events, characters, and settings, profoundly influencing their understanding and emotional connection to the narrative. Understanding point of view is crucial for both writers crafting their tales and readers analyzing literary works.

The Significance of Point of View

Point of view is more than just a grammatical choice; it's a fundamental storytelling decision that shapes the entire narrative experience. It determines:

Information Access: What details the reader receives and what remains unknown.
Emotional Closeness: How intimately the reader connects with characters' thoughts and feelings.
Narrative Voice: The tone, style, and personality of the storytelling.
Reliability: Whether the narrator can be trusted to tell the truth.

Main Types of Point of View

The narration of a story can primarily be told in three main ways: first person, second person, and third person. Each offers distinct advantages and creates a different reading experience.

Point of View Type	Pronouns Used	Narrator's Role	Characteristics & Effect
First Person	I, me, my, we, us, our	A character within the story	Highly intimate and subjective. Reader experiences events through one character's eyes. Limited to the narrator's knowledge, biases, and perceptions. Builds strong empathy with the narrator.
Second Person	You, your	The reader is the main character	Directly addresses the reader, placing them into the story. Very uncommon in traditional narrative fiction. Often used in instructional manuals, choose-your-own-adventure books, or song lyrics. Can feel intrusive or create a sense of immediacy.
Third Person	He, she, it, they, him, her, them	A narrator outside the story	More objective and detached than first person. Allows for a broader scope and multiple perspectives. The most common POV in fiction. Can vary in depth of knowledge (limited vs. omniscient).

Summary of the main types of Point of View in storytelling.

Deeper Dive into Third Person POV

The third person point of view is the most versatile and can be further broken down based on the narrator's knowledge and access to character thoughts:

1. Third Person Limited

In this perspective, the narrator tells the story from the viewpoint of one specific character. The reader only knows what that character knows, thinks, and feels. This creates a strong connection with that single character, similar to first person, but without using "I."

Example: "He walked through the crowded market, his heart pounding. Would she be there? he wondered, scanning the faces."

2. Third Person Omniscient

The omniscient narrator is "all-knowing," able to access the thoughts and feelings of any character, as well as move freely through time and space. This POV provides a panoramic view of the story world and its inhabitants.

Example: "As he walked through the crowded market, his heart pounded with anticipation. Across the square, she nervously adjusted her scarf, wondering if he would ever arrive."

3. Third Person Objective (or Dramatic)

This narrator reports events without offering any insight into characters' thoughts or feelings, much like a camera or a newspaper reporter. The reader must infer meaning based on actions and dialogue alone.

Example: "He walked through the crowded market, looking left and right. Across the square, a woman adjusted her scarf and then glanced towards the entrance."

Choosing the Right Point of View

The choice of point of view is a fundamental decision for any storyteller, as it dictates the reader's entire experience of the narrative. Each POV type offers unique benefits and limitations that writers strategically use to achieve specific effects, whether it's building intimacy, maintaining suspense, or providing a comprehensive overview. For more information on narrative techniques, explore resources like MasterClass's guide on Point of View.