Why Writing in Third Person Narrative Adds Depth to Your Story
Writing a great story demands a certain skill and a creative mindset. Every storyteller wants their words to create an indelible impression on their readers. And to achieve this, they often experiment with the structure and style of writing. One of the most popular techniques implemented by writers is ” narrative mode.” In this blog post, we explore how writing in third person narrative adds depth to a story.
Background and Definition
Before we delve into the advantages of writing in the third person, it’s essential to understand what it means. First, let’s define point of view (POV) in narrative mode. POV refers to the perspective from which a story is told. Typically, there are three types of narrative modes – first person, second person, and third person.
First-person narration is when the story is narrated by a character in the story using first-person pronouns like “I,” “me,” or “we.” Second-person narration is rare and involves using the second-person pronoun “you” to tell a story. Third-person narration uses third-person pronouns – “he,” “she,” “they,” “it,” etc. – to describe the story’s events from an outsider’s perspective.
Benefits of Writing in Third Person Narrative
Here are some of the advantages of writing in the third person narrative mode:
1. Adds objectivity
Third-person narrative mode gives writers the ability to write in an objective and unbiased manner. Because the story is being told from a neutral perspective, the writer can explore the story’s details without relying too heavily on emotional responses or opinions. This allows the reader to form their conclusions about the events in the story.
2. Creates a broader perspective
Writing in third person provides an expansive view of the characters and their actions. Unlike the first-person narrative mode, where we can only see events from one person’s perspective, the third-person perspective allows us to have a more comprehensive view of the story’s world. We can jump from one character’s mind to another, getting insight into their responses and thought process.
3. Allows for diverse storytelling options
Third-person narrative mode allows writers to experiment with their storytelling options. In contrast, writing in first or second person restricts the writer to their narrator’s perspective. The third-person mode provides writers with more flexibility to convey their ideas and themes in different ways.
Examples of Stories Written in Third Person Narrative
Here are some examples of popular stories written in third person:
1. Harry Potter Series – J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is a classic example of third-person narrative mode in children’s literature. The books are written from an omniscient viewpoint of the story’s events and characters, using the third person singular pronoun.
2. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice is a novel written in the third-person narrative mode, providing a wide perspective on the story’s characters. The narrator often switches between characters, giving insights into their personalities and thoughts.
3. The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is another example of a literary masterpiece written in the third-person narrative mode. This way of storytelling allows the reader to see beyond the protagonist Jay Gatsby, providing a broader perspective that encompasses all the characters.
Conclusion
Writing in the third person narrative mode offers writers plenty of benefits. From providing broad and diverse perspectives to permitting more objective writing, it allows for a deeper, more engaging storytelling experience. So, the next time you plan to write a story, consider nurturing it in third-person mode, and see how it adds depth and takes your story to new heights.
