Choosing a Narrative: Using First, Second and Third Person Point of View

Quote of the day: 

Nobody is a villain in their own story. We're all the heroes of our own stories. -George R. R. Martin 

Does literature-either prose or poetry, hold a special place in your heart ? If yes you may be familiar with the concept of first, second and third person accounts. To elaborate here is a fun BBC page with explanations and exercises for each view.

Looking back at my poems I've concluded and gauged my writing to be more first person than not, holding prominence over either second person or third person views. After all It makes more sense to tell a story from a point of view you are familiar with, which is what the first person account tends to achieve.


First Person

The first person perspective is often told through a lens consisting of personal stories or thoughts not entirely distinct from reality. You, the reader undergo a metamorphosis and effectively watch the scenario unfold through the character's eyes -the character being me the writer of the text. This style of writing is said to be popular with personal journals, and autobiographies. There is basically a lot of 'I did this', or 'we did that'. With first person perspective there is a split between present tense and past tense. The singular form of the first person is the use of 'I', Its plural form is the use of 'We'. Others include the use of 'me/us', 'my/mine', 'our/ours'. Here is a list of popular first person books.


Second Person

The second person account on the other hand uses the 'you', 'your', and 'yours' pronouns -and can be unconventional, and the most difficult to pull off - especially when writing a novel. It suggests that the audience or reader is also a character within the story or poem. It certainly is a unique form in itself. Here is a list of popular second person books.


Third Person

The third person account is more popular with fiction writers. It involves the use pronouns such as the use of 'she', he, or 'it', when referring to a person, place, or thing. Here is a list of popular third person books.

 No matter which account is used, consistency is the watchword. A big deal of telling a story in first person is the urgency it gives the reader to discover the psyche and sensibility of a character as expressed by the writer -in this case an author or a poet. It can sometimes be tricky to write in this manner, distorting the plot, with more emphasis placed on the character than on the narrative itself.

Delving into the whole concept of the art of writing, choosing a narrative and sticking to it fully is by no means a modest feat. For me, my lessons often come from trial and error and not overthinking what form to use when expressing my thoughts -I just write what comes to mind. However, my poems tend to lean toward the narrative or descriptive corner, telling a story in first person, with rhythmic patterns and without.

I love writing and I hope to continue to learn ways to improve my poetry and concentrate on prose as well. That is my quest, to escape my comfort zone, to write more in second and third person, and as a challenge I plan to do just that this week.

Lastly, to the writers and readers out there, which account works for you the most? First, second, or third person? And can you give a brief reason why?


Have a splendid week!


Peace. Love. Light* 



Current Listen: Chris Bell - Elevator To Heaven