What is “Point of View” and how it Changes a Story

There are different points of view in stories. What is a point of view?  A point of view is the way a story is told by the narrative voice or the viewpoint.  Whether a short story, children’s story or any genre, a point of view can change a story drastically.  When an author begins their story, they have to decide how they will convey their story best by the point of view they use.  Point of view is defined by the pronouns that are used.  It is important to continue the story in the same point of view.  If an author starts using a certain point of you, then shifts to a different point of view, it makes it harder to read and more confusing.

First person point of view is when the author uses the words, “I or me” to tell the story. First person is used when the author acts as a narrator.

Second person is when the author uses, “you or your” to tell the story.  This is the one that is used the least amount of time.  Rarely does the author talk directly to the reader.

Third person is when the author uses, “he, she, it and they” to tell the story.  Often they use the characters names when writing the story.

Now lets look at how Point of view can change a story.  A story written in first person looks like a memoir or personal biography and that might not be the case.  Second person point of view is used to personally address the reader.  Third person point of view is used more in novels and fiction writing and brings the characters perspective into view.  It tells us what they might be thinking and why they are acting the way they are.

If an author is writing a nonfiction book and uses the first person to tell the story and they are not an expert of the subject, the story might not reach the reader.  If the author changes the point of view to third person and use quotes from an expert, the story becomes more valid to the reader, and it might hold more klout.