Third-person

Definition

Third-person is a narrative perspective that employs pronouns such as 'he', 'she', and 'they' to tell a story. This point of view allows the writer to present the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of multiple characters, providing a broader understanding of the narrative. It can range from an omniscient viewpoint, where the narrator knows everything about the characters and events, to a limited perspective, which focuses on the experiences of a single character.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Third-person narration can create a sense of distance or intimacy depending on how much insight it provides into characters' thoughts and emotions.
2. Using third-person allows writers to shift perspectives between characters, offering a multifaceted view of the story's events.
3. This perspective is often used in both fiction and nonfiction writing, making it versatile for blending factual information with creative storytelling.
4. Writers can manipulate the degree of knowledge in third-person narration, deciding whether to provide an all-knowing viewpoint or to focus more narrowly on individual characters.
5. Revision in third-person narratives can involve enhancing the distinct voices of different characters, helping to create a more engaging and dynamic story.

Review Questions

• How does the third-person point of view influence the way a story is told compared to first-person narration?
  • The third-person point of view allows for a more objective narrative style compared to first-person narration, which is subjective and limited to one character's perspective. This perspective enables writers to explore multiple characters’ thoughts and emotions, creating a richer narrative tapestry. While first-person gives readers direct access to one character's internal world, third-person provides a broader lens through which the story unfolds, allowing for varied interpretations and deeper insights into the overall plot.
• In what ways can an author use third-person narration to effectively blend factual information with literary techniques?
  • An author can use third-person narration to present factual information while employing literary techniques such as imagery and symbolism. By using this point of view, writers can describe real events or concepts through characters' experiences or reactions, adding depth and emotional resonance. This narrative style also allows for seamless integration of research or factual data without losing the flow of storytelling, making it an effective tool for both creative and informative writing.
• Evaluate how revising a story written in third-person can enhance the voice and style of the narrative. What techniques might be employed during this process?
  • Revising a third-person narrative can greatly enhance its voice and style by refining how each character's perspective is presented. Techniques such as varying sentence structure, adjusting diction to match each character’s personality, and ensuring consistent tone throughout can make characters feel distinct and relatable. Additionally, focusing on showing rather than telling can immerse readers more fully in characters’ experiences. By carefully revisiting these elements during revision, authors can strengthen their narrative's impact and resonance with readers.

Related terms

First-person: A narrative style where the story is told from the perspective of a character using pronouns like 'I' and 'we'.

Omniscient: A type of third-person point of view where the narrator knows all the thoughts and feelings of every character in the story.

Limited third-person: A narrative perspective that closely follows one character's thoughts and experiences while maintaining a third-person voice.