Points of View

One thing that you, as a writer, must decide on, is what point of view to use in your story. There are four main types of POV (point of view), with a few sub-POV's, as I dub them. Each one has its own pros and cons, though some just don't work for certain stories.

 

First-Person

First-Person is a point of view from inside the head of one character, though it can also be the stories of multiple people. Can be told in present tense or past tense.

 

I walk over to the counter and sit down in one of the dark wooden stools. "I'll have the usual, Susan," I call to the black-haired waitress standing at the other end of the counter.

 

Pros: Usually easier to develop the character, better for showing emotions.

Cons: You'll need to be skilled at character development and showing emotions (third-person with minimal character development and no emotion is one thing, first-person with minimal character development and no emotion is another), some may consider the POV amateurish, sometimes associated with self-insertion and Mary Sues.

 

If you're using it from the heads of multiple people, just be careful. Don't switch too often, and be sure the reader can always tell who they're reading about.

 

Examples: The Hunger Games, Twilight

 

Second-Person

A point of view told so that it is addressing the reader. Can be used in either present or past tense, though present is more common.

 

You approach the door and put your ear to it, listening hard.

 

Pros: If done right, can create a very good mood.

Cons: Easy to make cheesy.

 

In my opinion, this should only be used for choose-your-own-adventure stories.

 

Examples: Most any choose-your-own-adventure story.

 

Third-Person Limited

A point of view narrated by an invisible spectator, tied to a certain character in each scene (sometimes one character for the whole book, sometimes jumping between members of a larger cast). The narrator may be attached with a one-inch chain or a ten-foot rope, and thus can sometimes go "farther" from the viewpoint character for the scene. The narrator can only go into the thoughts of the character they are attached to.

 

Examples: Ender's Game (though with a small cast of POV characters), Hatchet

 

Third-Person Omniscient

A point of view told from the eyes of an invisible spectator to the events of the story. Unlike third-person limited, this narrator can see into the thoughts of all characters in a scene. Also tends to wax more on the setting and scenery.

 

"That's weird," said John, thinking to himself, "I wonder if it means that Steve is still alive."

"Weird? What's wrong with him? It's more than weird!" thought Anna.

 

Pros: You can see into everyone's head, and know things that no one character could know on their own.

Cons: Can get very confusing to the reader, often leads to telling instead of showing, altogether very hard to pull off.

 

Examples: His Dark Materials, Lord of the Rings

 

Fourth-Person

Sorry, this one doesn't exist yet. Maybe you'll be the one to make it up!