Posted: May 19, 2025
We’ve already discussed how to choose which POV to use for your book [click here for the full article], so let’s dive deeper into why you would use a specific POV. Why use Third Person, of the three? And which version of third person would you choose? First, let’s go over what third person perspective is, the different types of third-person perspective, and some unique aspects of it.
In third person, the story is being told about the characters, using pronouns like “he”, “she”, and “they”. This offers a broader view of the story by focusing on the characters from a distance, which allows the reader to know things that the characters can’t or aren’t allowed to know. The main difference between third person and first person is that the narrator is not one of the characters in the story, but rather someone looking in on the world. Popular books told in third person point of view include Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, Dune by Frank Herbert, Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, and Lord of the Flies by William Golding.
There are three types of third-person perspective—one which is very popular and two which are less common.
First, there is Limited Omniscient Third-Person Perspective, the most common. It occurs when the focus is on a single character (or switches between different characters). As that character traverses throughout the events of the story, the reader gains insight into that character’s thoughts, feelings, and view of the world, though it is told through “he”, “she”, or “they” from an outside perspective, like the narrator is another person telling you the story of that character’s life.
Slightly less common is Omniscient Third-Person Perspective, which is when the narrator is a god-like presence staring down on the story from above. They aren’t a character in the story themselves, but take on the role of a storyteller for the reader, guiding them through the story. This is because the reader has insight into the thoughts of every character all the time, and this can be confusing without someone to lead them through. The term “head jumping” occurs when an author accidentally switches from character to character within the same scene, making it confusing to the reader who is telling the story. Thus, the Storyteller gives the details of the scene, and the characters only contribute their own thoughts. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis is an excellent example of this, as the narrator even speaks directly to the reader as he leads them around the world and dips into the heads of each of his characters. The Princess Bride is also like this, though the Storyteller, too, is a character within the story. (It’s kind of meta.)
The third type is Objective Third-Person Perspective. This method is the least popular in fiction, as while it may have a focal character, it does not give any insight into that character’s thoughts or feelings. It provides the objective truth only: what happens in the scene. Like a script for a movie or play, giving action and dialogue but not each character’s direct views or what they notice, feel, or think. Hemmingway uses this method to great effect in most of his short stories, such as Hills Like White Elephants.
First and foremost, it allows the author to switch between focal characters without confusing the reader with multiple “I” perspectives. An author switching between multiple first-person perspectives is possible but not recommended. That is where third person comes in. It lets the focus shift without the reader needing to entirely reframe which character they’re experiencing the story through.
Furthermore, the reader can also be provided with information that the characters themselves do not know, as the perspective can shift. It, like first person, allows for an unreliable narrator, but with more certainty, as the different focal characters know different things and may have differing opinions/conclusions, even in the same scene. It builds an intimate connection between the reader and the story, rather than the reader and the narrator.
The use of an Unreliable Narrator is a huge advantage for authors whose stories must be seen from multiple angles or stories in which the characters do not know everything that the reader must know. If the reader sees the same scene (or similar scenes) from the perspectives of multiple characters, they can know what each character took out of the scene, and come closer to the objective truth through the lens of the subjective. (This is even more true in Objective Third-Person Perspective, where the characters don’t come into it at all.)
If you think third-person point of view is the way to go for your book, consider the different methods. Which one is the best way to tell the story you want to tell? To convey the messages you need to share? Is it just the perspective you feel most comfortable writing or is it necessary in order to deliver the story? Think about all of this.
Limited Third Person is what most people go for because it is the most versatile and simple to use. It’s less easy to mess up than Omniscient, and more intimate than Objective. Using third person with switching characters lets you write from multiple angles and switch scenes to give all the details. Whether you write in past tense or present tense, the narrator focuses on one character at a time as they move the plot along. There is also no objective character the reader is meant to root for, which allows them to resonate with any one of the multiple characters the story is about (more so than a strict first person). This is best used when the stakes are external and affecting many people rather than a single character or small group.
If you’re writing a story focusing on a single character only in Limited Third-Person Perspective, take a step back. Why only this character? Wouldn’t it work much better in first person at that point? To be used to its fullest potential, third person must focus on at least two different characters. From there, you can focus on any number of characters, so long as it’s reasonable.
Then, there’s Omniscient Third Person which, unlike omniscient first person, is very much possible. However, you must remember The Storyteller. Some authors write this POV without a clear storyteller, and this causes problems with head jumping, in which the reader is told the thoughts of every character in the scene and thus they may be confused about what each character knows or doesn’t know, or which character is viewing the scene. The Storyteller acts as a guide, being the one to tell objectively what’s happening in a scene but also being able to dip into each character’s thoughts and what they may see as opposed to another character. For example, if one character does something secretly which another character does not notice, but the reader needs to know.
A more experimental POV such as Objective Third Person is not often seen because of its lack of access to characters’ inner workings. Authors have tricks to get around this. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams is one such book, and it heavily relies on dialogue to convey character thoughts and emotions. Another example, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey focuses on character actions and interactions to convey the story.
Since third person provides the story from multiple angles, it’s best used for genres and stories that rely on details, differing perspective, and/or action. The stakes should be external or outwardly affecting. Epic fantasy in which the fate of the world is the main focus, like Game of Thrones is an excellent example, as there are so many different characters and moving plots and storylines that a single perspective would make the story suffer. Beyond that, any story that requires multiple perspectives is usually best told in third person. (While experimental writing exists, it’s best to stick with something simpler if you’re a newer author.)
Now, the most important part: your focal characters. There is always more than one. Why use third person otherwise? Even if you’re just using two perspectives, they are opposing views of the same things.
One of these characters will be your main character or protagonist (or both). As for the other(s), you may choose the antagonist as a main character to follow, to show the reader what they’re up to behind the scenes. Authors will often follow the protagonist and their main surrounding team; secondary/supporting characters are good to follow when they’re close to the main action but have other things outside of the protagonist to do.
It is very important to know which character to follow in each scene. Why choose Character A over Character B? What unique perspective can Character A give to the scene that can’t be achieved through Character B? Often, the choice will be clear to you. Other times, you may need to experiment. What happens if you write the exact same scene from two different perspectives? It will help you decide, and may teach you new things about your characters along the way
In the end, whatever you choose to write using any of the Third-Person Perspectives, make sure that the choice is informed and chosen with care. Best of luck in writing your Third-Person Perspective story!
How to Write in Multiple POVs
How to Choose a POV for Your Book
When to Use First Person POV
When to Use Second Person POV
When to Use Third Person POV
Writing Compelling Villains
Writing Good Characters
D&D Alignments for Writing Characters
Inclusive Writing
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