Point of View Exercises
C.S. Lewis once wrote, "We read to know we're not alone." Readers turn to fiction to absorb themselves in the lives of other people, and the better you portray those other people, the more successful your fiction will be.
Consistency is important to accomplish this. Your stories should be from a consistent viewpoint so that the reader always has a point of reference in the world you've created. By choosing the proper point-of-view, you provide the best avenue for a reader to become involved with your story.
Think of point of view as the position of the camera in a movie. Where can you put that camera to get the best and most dramatic view?
This table summarizes the common points of view and the rules for using them.
Remember above all else: stick to one viewpoint. Follow the rules you establish for yourself. Use this table to help you.
| Point of View | Subject | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| First Person Subjective | I | Narrator inside, other characters outside |
| First Person Objective | I | Narrator outside, other characters outside |
| First Person Collective | We | Group inside, other characters outside |
| Second Person | You | Focus character inside, other characters outside |
| Third Person Omniscient | He/She | All characters inside and outside |
| Third Person Limited Omniscient | He/She | Focus character inside and outside, other characters outside |
| Third Person Limited Subjective | He/She | Focus character inside, other characters outside |
| Third Person Limited Objective | He/She | Focus character outside, other characters outside |
| Third Person Objective | He/She | All characters outside |
Write a passage in the text box below using the specified viewpoint.
Done?
Print this page from your browser.