Battle of the Views: There’s No I in Them

It seems there’s been a heated debate surrounding point of view (POV) in novels lately. What’s better: First person or third person? What do readers enjoy more? What is most effective? The questions are endless, just as the arguments for and against each avenue. Even as you read this, I can hear people shouting , “First!” and others yelling, “Third!” in support of their favorite outlet. I’ve written this to end the squabble. So here it is. The version that is the optimum choice. The answer to all questions about POV:

It depends.

Sorry, but that’s the truth. It depends. You can write any story from the first person point of view of the main character or from a limited “over the shoulder” third person perspective. You could even use the omniscient third if you so desire.

Before you decide, you should ask yourself about the plot delivery and how you want it to sound and be portrayed. But I believe the most important question is “How do I want my readers to relate to my protagonist (and the other main characters)?” If you’re not sure, here’s a pro and con comparison of POV to help facilitate your decision:

First Person
Pros: Know thoughts and emotions. Easily relatable. Live the story. Consistent narration.
Cons: Limited knowledge. Unreliable. Biased portrayal of events. Diary-like.

Third Person
Pros: Unlimited Knowledge. Reader privy to events before MC. Sneak peeks of other characters. Open-ended questions.
Cons: Other characters may become more interesting. Too many POVs. Lack of mystery. Too much info.

As you can see, there are good and bad aspects of each POV. Personally, I’m a fan of third person limited. Although I bend the rules a bit and keep it limited to whoever I’ve chosen to write about (for my series: protag, other MCs and antag). Once you decide what fits best with your goals for your story and its readers, you’ll be able to choose a perspective with a well informed decision.

Share your own pros and cons of these perspectives by leaving a comment!