If you want to write fiction, learning how to write from a narrative point of view is essential. This point of view allows the reader to experience the story through the eyes of the protagonist. It can be a powerful tool for storytelling, and it’s essential to understand the rules before you start writing.
This blog post will discuss the narrative point of view and give examples of how to use it effectively.
What is the narrative point of view, and why use it in your writing?
The narrative point of view typically refers to the first-person point of view. This is because the narrative point of view is about telling a story, and the first-person perspective is considered the most intimate and personal way to tell a story.
The first-person narrator can be the main character or a supporting character, often sharing their thoughts and feelings directly with the reader.
Other points of view, such as third person limited or third person omniscient, can be effective ways to tell a story, but they’re not quite as intimate as the first person.
This point of view can be powerful because it allows readers to experience the story straight through the eyes of the main character. However, it can also be tricky to use because it can be easy to slip into telling the story instead of showing it. This type of point of view is often used in autobiographical stories or novels.
It’s pretty easy to show instead of telling in writing. You want to describe what’s happening so that readers can visualize it for themselves. Telling would be something like, “John was angry.” Showing would be, “John slammed the door so hard, the pictures on the wall rattled.” See the difference?
Here’s another example: Let’s say you’re writing about a character who is feeling sad. Telling might sound like this: “She felt sad because her best friend had died.” Showing would be more like this: “Tears leaked out of the corners of her eyes, and she sniffed, trying to hold them back. Her throat felt tight, and it was hard to breathe. All she wanted to do was curl up in a ball under the covers and never come out.”
When you show instead of telling, readers feel they’re right there experiencing everything along with your character. And that’s what makes for a truly thrilling read.
Some examples of first-person narrative point of view include:
– I Killed a Man by Poe Ballantine
– The Girl with the Dragoon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
– Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Bram Stoker’s Dracula is an example of a novel that uses first- and third-person points of view.
The second-person point of view is less common but can effectively create a sense of intimacy with the reader. In this point of view, the narrator speaks directly to the reader as if they are right there with them.
The third-person point of view is when the story is told from a more objective perspective. This point of view can help create distance between the reader and the protagonist, which can help build suspense or keep readers from getting too emotionally invested in the story.
Each narrative point of view has rules you must follow to tell the story effectively. But once you understand the basics, it’s not as difficult as it may seem.
Here are a few examples of each narrative point of view in action:
First-person point of view:
– I can still remember the first time I saw her. It was at one of my brother’s baseball games. She was sitting in the bleachers, cheering him on with the rest of her family. I didn’t think much of it at the time. But later, when I discovered she was new to town, I couldn’t help but feel slightly intrigued.
Second-person point of view:
– You’re driving home from work, barely paying attention to the road as you think about everything you need to do when you get home. You’re so lost in thought that you don’t even see the other car until it’s too late. There’s a sickening crunch as your vehicle collides with theirs.
Third-person point of view, limited:
– He could hear the other students laughing and talking as he walked down the hall, but he didn’t care. He was used to being alone, and he preferred it that way. Besides, he had more important things to worry about than making small talk with people he didn’t even like.
The three rules for writing from the narrative point of view
If you want to try writing from a narrative point of view, there are three essential rules to keep in mind.
First rule
You must ensure that the narrative point of view is consistent throughout the story.
For example:
“I used to hate dark chocolate. It tasted so nasty to me. I could never understand why anyone would want to eat it. But then I started reading about all dark chocolate’s health benefits, and I decided to give it another try. Boy, was I surprised! After eating a few pieces of dark chocolate, my palate began to change, and I started to taste all the different flavours hidden in the chocolate. Now I enjoy eating dark chocolate, and I’m glad I gave it another chance!”
Second rule
You must ensure that the story is told from the perspective of a single character.
In more detail:
– First, you must ensure that all the action and dialogue in the story revolves around this character. Everything that happens should be seen and heard through their eyes and ears.
– You also need to be careful not to give too much information about the other characters or the plot. If you want to reveal something, it’s best to do it through the thoughts and feelings of your main character.
– Finally, you must ensure that your readers can identify with this character. They should feel like they’re living vicariously through them, experiencing everything first-hand.
If you can accomplish all these things, you’ll have effectively used a narrative point of view in your writing.
Third rule
You must ensure the story is told in the first person. The easiest way to do that is to stick with “I,” “me,” “we,” and “us” to create it. Let’s take a look at an example:
– I was walking down the street when I saw a group of kids playing tag. I wanted to join in but didn’t want to be It. So I looked around for a way out. Then I saw a little girl standing on the sidelines, watching us with a wistful expression. She seemed so lonely that I went over and asked if she wanted to play with us. She said yes, and we had a great time.
It can also be helpful to use terms like “I noticed,” “I realized,” and “I felt,” which help keep the focus on the narrator.
For example:
“I noticed that my muscles were getting sore quicker than usual.”
“I realized that I had been eating too many carbs.”
“I felt excellent after I finished my run.”
A narrative point of view can be tricky, but if you keep these three rules in mind, you should be well on your way to writing a great story from this perspective. And who knows? You might find that a narrative point of view is your new favourite way to write!
Examples of the narrative point of view from literature and film
There are many examples of the narrative point of view in both literature and film. In J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, the story is told from Holden Caulfield’s first-person perspective. In Citizen Kane, the story is told from a single character’s perspective through a series of flashbacks.
Another example in literature is Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, which tells the story of a whaling captain’s obsessive quest to kill a giant white whale. Another example is the film The Shawshank Redemption, which tells the story of an inmate’s struggle for survival and eventual escape from prison. All these examples use the narrative point of view to convey a story powerfully and viscerally.
How to apply the three rules to your writing
Now that you know the three rules of narrative point of view, you can apply them to your writing. If you’re unsure which point of view to use, ask yourself this question: which character’s story do I want to tell?
Once you’ve decided on the main character, make sure the story is told from their perspective, which will help you to stay consistent and avoid head-hopping.
If you’re still unsure, try reading your work aloud, which will help you to hear if the point of view is changing and will make it easier to edit.
The benefits of using the narrative point of view in your writing
Here are a few benefits of using the narrative point of view
– For one, it allows you to get inside your character’s head and tell their story more personally.
– Additionally, it can help create empathy for your character and make them more relatable to your readers.
– Finally, it can also help you avoid telling an unbiased, third-person story, which can often be tedious or difficult to follow.
A narrative point of view is that it allows you to get close to your character. You can explore their thoughts and feelings in a way that would not be possible from a distance. Additionally, readers are typically more engaged with first-person narratives since they feel closer to the story.
Conclusion
The narrative point of view is a powerful tool you can use to create immersive and engaging stories. By following the three rules for writing from this point of view, you can bring your readers into your story and make them feel like they are right there with the characters.
When applied correctly, the benefits of using the narrative point of view in your writing are many, including a deeper connection with your readers and a more immersive experience.
Good luck!
If you’re working on your first novel and are looking for more help with your writing, please check out my other articles at https://ullahakanson.com/blog/
Happy writing!
Ulla