Newsletter Sign Up

The right point of view (POV) is crucial for developing an effective narrative while writing a short story, a book, a social media post, a blog, or any other content piece. While the first-person POV works well for various content types where the narrator is the hero, the second-person point of view is necessary in many cases. In fact, it is often used in different types of writing, both fiction and nonfiction. 

In this article, let us see when it is appropriate to use the second-person POV with examples.

What is the second-person point of view?

Good writing involves employing different writing styles, tones, and perspectives. Points of view play a key role in communicating your intent and purpose. While it is advisable to maintain a consistent POV in a content piece, you may be required to switch from one perspective to another at times. Let us understand the definition of the second-person point of view. 

The second-person point of view directly addresses or talks to the reader. The pronoun “you” (along with “your” and “yours”) is used to address the readers. It makes readers associate themselves with the ideas, thoughts, and emotions a writer expresses. In literature, the second-person POV invites readers to the plot and makes them actively contribute to storytelling. 

As the reader is the intended recipient of all communication in second-person writing, you can forge a connection with them and make them feel “involved”, “responsible”, or even “answerable”. This approach is useful specifically for articles where you want readers to take action.  

When should I write in the second-person point of view? 

The purpose, intent, target audience, message, and length of your story should be considered to decide if it should be written in the second person. At times, a combination of all three perspectives might be required to keep the readers interested. 

Writing in the second-person point of view takes your ideas directly to the reader and makes them occupy the center stage. Here are some content types where using the second-person POV creates an impact. 

• Self-help books: Self-help books are written to help readers overcome specific problems and achieve related goals. The second-person POV is perfect for this! It helps maintain a motivational and encouraging tone while making readers feel responsible for taking action. An example of the second-person point of view in self-help books is:

You have the power to transform your life! Do not allow yourself to be defeated. 

• Instruction manuals and how-to content: These content types benefit from the second-person point of view because they usually instruct the reader on how to do something. Since the reader is the one who needs to take action, this POV makes the communication effective. An example of the second-person point of view in instruction manuals or how-to content is:

When you see the green light on the upper panel blinking rapidly, the machine will be ready for use. 

• Marketing brochures: Since the primary objective of marketing brochures is to generate interest, inquiries, and sales, directly addressing the prospective customers makes sense. The second-person POV works well in such cases, making prospective buyers want the product or service through direct, persuasive writing. An example of the second-person point of view in marketing brochures is:

Click here to learn more about how you can save money on your future energy bills! 

• Fiction: In fiction writing, the second-person address places the reader under a spotlight. It enhances the narrative by making the story seem incredibly personal. An example of the second-person point of view in fiction writing is:

As you step inside the room and look around, a chill runs down your spine. 

• Blogs: The second-person POV can help bloggers connect with their readers to increase engagement. Writing in the second person helps them communicate with the readers without a veil. An example of the second-person point of view in blogs is:

Do you want to make more money? If yes, you must invest! How else will your money grow? 

• Social media posts: Social media posts regularly use the second-person POV, particularly through quizzes, games, and polls, where users or followers engage with the content generator. It is also used in posts that share tips, humor, advice, etc. When people want to share messages that resonate with the audience, they write in the second-person point of view. An example of the second-person point of view in social media posts is:

Which of these describes your weekend the best?

How to write in the second-person point of view? 

Writing in the second-person POV is like holding the reader’s hand and guiding them to the destination of your choice. This approach makes the reader the protagonist, where the author’s emotions and feelings become theirs. Here are some tips to write in the second-person point of view: 

• Consistently use “you,” “your,” and “yours” to address the reader directly and maintain the second-person perspective.
• Start the narration with engaging hooks in second-person POV that pull the reader into the scene or situation.
• Frame the narrative around what the reader is doing, seeing, or planning, and make them feel important to the plot. 
• Use the second-person perspective to create a sense of immediacy and ongoing action.
• Consider the reader’s response and incorporate those potential reactions in your writing.

Reasons to write using the second-person point of view

Many works of literature have been written in the second person. For instance, several parts of “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern have been written in the second person, and the book received rave reviews. Some readers even said they were transported to where it all takes place. 

Typically, the second-person POV introduces an unconventional approach and style that can distinguish your writing from other content in the genre or category. For instance, fiction writers and poets can use their imagination to express their ideas and opinions freely. So, for which other reasons should you use the second-person POV? Here are some primary reasons: 

• When your reader is the hero of your story, the second-person POV can amplify emotional responses and create a sense of involvement. As a writer aiming to create a compelling story, gather your thoughts and arrange them to determine the POV for each part of your book. 
• If you wish to not only communicate but also transfer your emotions to the reader, writing in the second person can be highly effective. You can create anticipation and intrigue with your story!
• The second-person narrative makes the reader think and reflect upon the events in your story. So, for a direct impact, this narration approach may be unavoidable. 

What are the disadvantages of writing in the second-person point of view?

Writing in the second person point of view may prove challenging as it can introduce complexities in writing. It is an uncommon writing strategy, which brings some disadvantages. Let us discuss them. 

• Low reader engagement: The direct address “You” may not always be welcome. Readers may be unable to relate to the story or the writer, or they may not want to feel connected. In such cases, second-person POV may sound invasive. For instance, a reader might not want to feel the emotions expressed by a writer in the following: 

You stand at the edge of the cliff, the wind whipping your hair, and wonder if you have the courage to jump. 

• Lack of clarity: Maintaining content clarity might be tough. Distinguishing between the narrator and the character being addressed can confuse or bore the readers. In the example below, it is unclear to whom the pronoun “You” refers to. 

You walk into the room and see yourself sitting at the desk. You wonder what you’re doing there and why you look so anxious. You approach the desk slowly, and you begin to speak, but your voice echoes.

• Tense consistency issues: Consistent tense usage can be tricky in the second person. As the story progresses, revealing the necessary details can seem murky, disjointed, or uninteresting to the readers. In the following example, the lack of uniformity in tense can frustrate readers. 

You see the mess scattered everywhere in the hall. You picked up a broken vase, wondering how it got there. Suddenly, you hear a noise and turn around. 

• Limited narration scope: Readers might be confined to fixed experiences and thoughts. For example, in the sentence below, the reader may want to find out more about the surrounding people. However, the writer may limit the descriptions to whatever is relevant to the story. 

You walk down the crowded street, taking in the surroundings. The faces around you have a story of their own. 

• Overuse of “you”: The continuous use of “You” can feel repetitive and monotonous to readers. Refer to the sentence below to see how the frequent use of “you” might frustrate readers. 

You wake up early and you stare at the ceiling for a while. You head to the kitchen where you make yourself a cup of coffee. You drink it slowly as you think about your day ahead. 

• Writing style problems: For certain genres, the second person might not be common, making the narration sound odd. For instance, fantasy tales are told best in the third person point of view. Refer to the story below to see an example of how the second-person narrative might be effective. 

In the depths of the ancient dungeon, you wield your sword with determination. The dark sorcerer chants a spell, and you feel the ground tremble. You confront the sorcerer, but your courage falters.

Whether you should write in the second person is a question worth pondering before you begin working on your content piece. As important as the structure of your story is, the point of view you adopt to narrate it is equally critical. 

Wondering how to go about this process? Explore PaperTrue’s self-publishing services and exploit the opportunities available to you in the publishing world. 

You might also find the following articles useful:

Have you ever felt like you’re an intimate part of a story and that everything in the story is happening from a personal perspective? That’s the magic a writer adopting the first-person point of view can create! Authors writing in the first-person take their readers through the experiences of interesting characters in engaging stories. 

From thrillers, horror stories, and drama to heart-pounding mysteries, the first-person perspective brings a story intimately close to the readers. Dive into the world of first-person writing and learn how to write in the first person with this article!

The three points of view in writing

While stories usually unfold through different lenses, the first-person point of view wields immense power in writing! Let us learn more about the various points of view (POVs) writers can use when they know how to start a story in the first person. 

• First-person point of view: The first person puts you in the narrator’s shoes, with “I” and “we” used to develop a story. It tells readers the story from the narrator or author’s standpoint. 
• Second-person point of view: The second person point of view puts the reader in the driver’s seat, where the second-person subject pronoun “you” makes you the protagonist.
• Third-person point of view: The third-person POV is entirely an outsider’s view. The words “he”, “she”, or “they” are used to signify the third-person point of view. 

Each POV offers a unique lens and builds a picture in the readers’ minds. It talks about characters, their motivations, and the world in which they operate.

Top 3 reasons to write using the first-person point of view

The top 3 reasons to use the first-person in writing originate from the fact that the first-person POV can considerably impact how your readers perceive your content. Let us discuss these reasons and decode what is the first-person point of view further.

• Makes content sound unique and authentic: The definition of the first-person point of view establishes that this POV underscores the importance of sounding genuine while writing in the first person. It also lends a sense of immediacy, and readers feel connected with the narrator’s experiences and emotions. The biggest advantage of this POV lies in its ability to make any story relatable.
• Supports the narrator’s personal opinions: Narrators who know how to write a book in the first person can beautifully express their ideas, thoughts, and feelings through their content. It enables them to share their stories in a way that feels natural. This style is commonly seen in opinion pieces, memoirs, blogs, social media posts, and personal essays, where the writer’s voice is central to the content.
• Creates mystery and enhances drama: Using the first-person point of view can add suspense, mystery, drama, and intrigue to a story. Since readers only see the world the narrator shows them, plot twists and secrets are gradually revealed amidst quivering excitement. This is what makes books, short stories, and thrillers unputdownable!

How to write using the first-person point of view?

Learning how to write a story in the first person can go a long way in strengthening your skills as a fiction writer. It is useful even for writing social media posts. Here are some steps to help you write effectively in the first-person point of view:

• Choose a narrator: When you have an interesting story, determine the narrator. Who will be the best character to tell readers the story—the protagonist or some other character? 

• Stick to the narrative: Upon adopting a narrative, keep the voice consistent with the character’s personality, background, and experiences. This ensures credibility.

• Share thoughts and feelings: Share the character’s thoughts, fears, emotions, and reactions to enable readers to connect deeply with them.

• Describe events: Write about events that the character experiences. This includes describing what they see, hear, and feel.

• Employ effective dialogue: By learning how to write dialogue in the first person, you can create an environment where readers know how their narrator speaks. They can identify the narrator’s style through vocabulary, tone, and speech patterns.

• Share knowledge in installments: When you adopt a first-person perspective, logically reveal information based on the narrator’s current experiences and knowledge. Be careful about inadvertently revealing information the narrator would likely find out later in the story.

• Build personal connections: To effectively use the first-person POV in writing, include anecdotes, memories, and reflections. This helps build a connection between the character and the reader.

• Engage the senses: Describe sights, sounds, smells, and tastes to make the narrative vivid and immersive. This weaves a detailed picture in the readers’ minds and prompts them to read till the end. 

• Ensure consistency: You can tell your story in the present, or narrate it as a flashback. Whatever you decide based on your writing style, stick with it till the end.
• Edit and modify: Make an editing checklist and review your work to ensure the first-person POV is evident consistently in your writing. Also, verify if the language suits the narrator’s moods, dialogue, thoughts, and feelings throughout the story. 

Here are some examples of writing in the first person, each conveying different emotions:

Things to avoid while writing in the first-person point of view

It is possible to make mistakes while writing in the first person, especially if you are writing for the first time. Here are some guidelines on how not to write in the first person:

• Avoid overusing “I”: Using “I” at all times can make the writing dull and monotonous. Instead of starting every sentence with “I”, vary your sentence structures to communicate actions, thoughts, and experiences differently each time.
• Prioritize subtlety: First-person writing can sometimes lead to excessive telling instead of subtly showing a story’s many aspects. So, show, don’t tell! Instead of frequently describing a narrator’s feelings, talk about actions, dialogue, and body language that vividly depict emotions.
• Plan your reveals: A first-person narrator only knows what they have directly experienced or learned. Avoid including information that they do not know or cannot know. Such gaps can disrupt the story and make readers question its credibility.
• Limit inner monologue: Though a narrator’s inner thoughts and reflections are important for an effective first-person narrative, excessive introspection or inner monologue can lower readers’ interest.
• Acknowledge other characters: While the first-person POV is about the narrator, neglecting the overall setting can be risky. Describing different character types and environments enriches the narrative and helps readers visualize the story.

Which point of view should I choose?

Whether you should choose writing in the first person depends on several factors. Let us discuss them. 

• Story type: The nature of your story can help determine whether you will benefit from first-person writing. The first-person POV may not be suitable for complex stories and diverse narratives. 
• Intimacy and proximity: If you want your readers to be close to the narrator or protagonist’s thoughts and feelings, the first-person POV might be the way to go. If not, a mix of perspectives will serve you better.
• Narrative limitations: While the first-person narrative can effectively cover a single character’s journey, this POV may not be suitable when sharing multiple perspectives.
• Reader experience: Consider the experience you want your readers to enjoy. For an immersive and personal touch where you want to talk to your readers directly, adopt the first-person POV.
• Story-level complexities: Intricate stories with multiple subplots may require a combination of POVs instead of just the first-person perspective.

The first-person point of view enhances the reading experience in many ways. Whatever genre you wish to explore as a writer, understand the nuances of first-person writing before you begin working on your manuscript. 

For professional assistance, explore PaperTrue’s story editing and proofreading services. 

Here are some other articles you might find interesting: