Understanding Third Person Narrative: What It Is and How to Use It
If you’re a writer, you’re likely familiar with the different types of narrative perspectives available to you. One of the most popular of those perspectives is the third-person narrative. In this article, we’ll explore what third-person narrative is all about and delve into how it can be used effectively in your writing.
What Is Third Person Narrative?
Before we can dive into how to use it, it’s essential to understand what third-person narrative means. Put simply, third-person refers to a point of view where the narrator is not a character in the story. Instead, the narrator is an observer, providing insight into the plot, characters, and events that unfold.
A great example of third-person narrative can be found in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. The third-person narrator follows Harry, Ron, and Hermione throughout their adventures, but the narrator is not one of the characters. Instead, the narrator provides a bird’s eye view of the story, guiding the reader through the plot.
Benefits of Third Person Narrative
There are various benefits to using a third-person narrative when writing, including:
- It allows for a more objective viewpoint. Third-person narration helps to remove the writer’s personal feelings and bias from the story, allowing the reader to form their conclusions about the characters and plot.
- It creates an immersive experience for the reader. By providing a neutral observer, third-person narration can immerse the reader in the story fully.
- It allows for a broader scope. With third-person narration, the writer can follow numerous characters and provide various perspectives on events.
How to Use Third Person Narrative
Now that we understand what third-person narrative is and its benefits, let’s look at how to use it in your writing effectively.
Choose Your Point of View: Limited vs. Omniscient
When using third-person narrative, writers have two primary options: limited or omniscient. A limited point of view follows one character throughout the story. In contrast, the omniscient viewpoint allows writers to follow multiple characters, providing insight into their thoughts and feelings.
Establish Consistent Pronouns
It’s essential to choose a consistent pronoun to refer to your characters in third-person narrative. The most common options are ‘he, she, and they.’ Avoid switching between these pronouns as it can be confusing for readers.
Provide Insight Through Description and Dialogue
As a writer, your aim is to immerse the reader in the story. Using description and dialogue is an effective way to provide insight into your character’s thoughts, feelings, and motivations. Use sensory details to help the reader visualize the scene and understand the character’s perspective.
Be Objective
When using third-person narrative, it’s essential to remain objective throughout the story. Avoid inserting your personal opinions, beliefs, and biases into the narration. Remember, the objective is to provide a neutral observer, allowing the reader to make up their minds about the plot and characters.
Conclusion
Third-person narrative is an effective tool for writers, providing a neutral observer for the reader to follow the story. By choosing between a limited or omniscient point of view, establishing consistent pronouns, and including description and dialogue, writers can create an immersive experience for their readers. Remember to remain objective throughout the story, allowing the reader to form their conclusions independently.
