Point of View

We often see photographers angling for just the right position, the right point of view. It is important in writing too. Point of view is the perspective from which something is written. It affects the tone of your writing or speaking. It can engage your readers, or it can turn them off.

I am writing this paragraph in first person point of view. It’s written from my perspective. First person uses pronouns like “I” and “we”. First person is considered intense, subjective, and emotional. It is a good point of view to use when telling a personal story or writing a prayer letter.

Second person point of view uses pronouns like “you”. This point of view is often appropriate when you write emails, messages, presentations, and articles. You might find it is easy to slip from first person to second person when you’re writing or speaking. But it is better to stick to one point of view. This paragraph is written in second person.

Third-person point of view is common in fiction and academic writing. Pronouns like “he”, “she”, “it”, “they”, or a name are used. It can sound less casual, but also can be cold and aloof. It does provide flexibility to the author, as there is more distance between the speaker and the audience.

Readers can become confused if we switch point of view. For example: “Whenever a person enrols in Bible College, you get a book list.” This should more clearly read either “students who enrol in Bible college will receive a book list” (third person) or “when you enrol in Bible college, you get a book list” (first person).

Readers may also feel targeted if point of view changes. I sometimes find that I start something in first person, for example, narrating an experience I’ve had. Then in the conclusion I move to language that’s directed at my audience (second-person). That can be off-putting to the reader because it sounds like I’m suddenly instructing them, when they merely started reading a story about my experience.

To determine the point of view in a piece of writing, look for a direct statement of opinion:

“I rely on prayer,” (first-person: writer’s point of view).

“Your prayers are valuable to us,” (second-person: directed at the reader).

“It is fantastic that people are praying,” (third-person: told from an outside narrators point of view).

Stick to one point of view. You’ll avoid confusion.