Reading List
About a Boy, 1998 - Third-Person Narration
- The third-person narrator knows everything about the characters and the story, including their thoughts and feelings. This perspective allows for a wide scope of storytelling, potentially exploring the complexities of multiple characters and their interactions
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Access to all perspectives
The omniscient narrator can switch between different characters' perspectives, giving the reader a complete picture of events and the characters' reactions.Exploring relationships
This narrative technique can be particularly effective for exploring the relationships between characters, as the narrator can delve into their individual thoughts and motivations.Adding depth and complexity
The omniscient perspective can enhance the story's depth by providing a broader understanding of the characters and the events unfolding.Potential for voice and style
Third-person omniscient narration allows for a unique authorial voice, which can be used to create a distinct style and tone for the story.Maintaining consistency
While omniscient, the narrator's voice should remain consistent throughout the story, ensuring a cohesive and believable narrative. - Stop Using the First Person: "From an artistic perspective, the third person offers some fascinating storytelling possibilities not available with first person." Gotham Writers
- What’s the difference between third-person limited and omniscient?: "Third-person limited is much more common, especially in modern fiction. Omniscient can be difficult for new or inexperienced writers to grapple with, and it has fallen out of fashion." Rachel Rowlands
- Third person omniscient vs. limited vs. head jumping: "You probably know there are three main perspectives to choose from in a novel: first person, third person limited, and third person omniscient." Nathan Bransford; August 24, 2020