The third person point of view (POV) is a narrative style where the story is told by a narrator who exists outside the story, referring to characters using third-person pronouns like "he," "she," "they," or by their names. Unlike the first person ("I," "we") or second person ("you") perspectives, the narrator in third person does not participate in the story but describes the characters and events from an external position. There are different types of third person POV:
- Third-Person Omniscient: The narrator knows everything about all characters, including their thoughts and feelings, and can share these insights freely.
- Third-Person Limited: The narration is closely confined to the perspective of one character at a time, revealing only their thoughts and feelings while still using third-person pronouns.
- Third-Person Objective: The narrator reports only what can be observed externally, without access to characters' internal thoughts or emotions.
This point of view is often used when a writer wants to express the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters or provide a broader, more flexible perspective on the story. It can create a sense of distance while still allowing insight into characters' inner lives depending on which type of third person POV is used. In summary, third person point of view means telling a story about others using "he," "she," or "they," with variations in how much the narrator reveals about what the characters think and feel. This narrative style is popular for its flexibility and range.
