Point of View
The narrative perspective through which a story is told, determining what information the reader can access.
Last updatedPoint of view (POV) determines whose eyes the reader sees through and what information is available. The main options are first person ("I"), third person limited (close to one character's perspective), third person omniscient (all-knowing narrator), and second person ("you"). POV is one of the most consequential craft decisions a writer makes because it shapes every sentence.
The Catcher in the Rye uses first person to immerse readers in Holden Caulfield's distinctive, unreliable voice. Harry Potter uses third person limited, tightly bound to Harry's perspective, which is why the reader discovers secrets when Harry does. Middlemarch by George Eliot uses omniscient POV to weave between characters and offer authorial commentary.
Each POV has trade-offs. First person creates intimacy but limits scope. Third limited balances closeness with flexibility. Omniscient provides breadth but risks emotional distance. The best choice depends on your story's needs: a psychological thriller benefits from a tight, possibly unreliable POV, while an epic saga may require the scope of omniscience.