What’s point-of-view (POV)?

Point of View or (POV) is the perspective from which a story is observed or narrated. How an author shapes the POV can influence the reader’s experience and emotional connection. When I’m writing a novel or short story, I don’t simply pick a POV of view at random. I consider the genre, immediacy, and character depth of what I’m writing.

While others may describe the types in a variety of ways, here’s my take on what they are and what they might be best used for:

First Person POV (uses I/me instead of she/her)

Example: I woke up in a strange room and spotted the stranger looking at me.

Benefits: There is an inherent emotional connection and an intimate voice.

Downsides: The author is limited to one character's perspectives.

Uses: Could be good for character-driven stories or personal narratives.

Second Person POV (uses you/us)

Example: You woke up in a strange room and spotted the stranger looking at you.

Benefits: This technique is seldom used, but it puts the reader right in the story.

Downsides: The text can feel unnatural, and this method might be hard to sustain for long passages.

Uses: Could be good for interactive storytelling like for a choose-your-own adventure story.

Third Person Limited (uses she/her but only includes one person’s thoughts or perspectives)

Example: She woke up in a strange room and spotted a stranger looking at her.

Benefits: This method offers flexibility within the text (e.g., hiding things from the POV character) while sustaining closeness to one character.

Downsides: The author is still limited to one character’s thoughts.

Uses: Allows the author to maintain character depth and yet keep control over how the plot unfolds (i.e., the reader only knows what the POV character knows—good for mysteries or crime novels).

Third Person Omniscient (uses she/her and includes more than one person’s thoughts or perspectives)

Example: She woke up in a strange room. The detective sat in the corner, knowing her brother was already dead.

Benefits: The author creates an all-knowing narrator and can include multiple characters’ thoughts and events.

Downsides: This type can create distance between the reader and the story.

Uses: Omniscient may be best for stories with complex plots and many named characters.

My advice? When thinking about what POV is right for your story, consider how close you want readers to feel to the characters. Research your genre and see what POVs well-known authors use for your genre. Consider writing parts of your story in different POVs to compare the impact. Whatever POV you choose, know it’s a powerful tool to shape your storytelling.