Point of view (POV) refers to the perspective from which a story, narrative, or piece of writing is told. It governs how information is presented to the reader and can significantly influence their experience of the text.
There are several types of point of view:
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First Person: The narrator is a character in the story, using "I" or "we." This perspective provides a deep, personal insight into the narrator's thoughts and feelings.
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Second Person: The story is told using "you," making the reader a character in the narrative. This is less common but can create a unique immersive experience.
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Third Person: The narrator is outside the story, using "he," "she," "they," or "it." This can be further divided into:
- Third Person Omniscient: The narrator knows all characters' thoughts and feelings.
- Third Person Limited: The narrator focuses on the thoughts and feelings of one character, providing a more restricted view.
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Third Person Objective: The narrator reports only what can be seen and heard, without access to any character's inner thoughts or feelings.
The choice of point of view can affect the way a story is conveyed and how readers connect with characters and events.