Point of View (POV)
In short: Point of view determines through whose eyes a story is told and how much the narrator knows. It shapes closeness, tension and effect decisively.
The main perspectives
First-person narrator: A character tells the story from their view („I“) – close and subjective, but limited to what they know.
Close third person: Told in the third person but tight to one character – we see the world through their eyes.
Omniscient narrator: An all-knowing narrator who oversees everything and can comment.
Objective narrator: Reports from the outside, without entering thoughts – like a camera.
Related terms: First-Person Narrator · Omniscient Narrator · Free Indirect Speech · Interior Monologue
Frequently asked questions
What points of view are there?
Chiefly first-person, close third person, omniscient and objective narration.
Which point of view should I choose?
First person and close third create closeness; the omniscient narrator gives overview. Choose what fits the effect and the story – then stay consistent.