There are many similarities between third person subjective viewpoint and first person subjective viewpoint. The same rules serve as a guide. The primary similarity between these two viewpoints is this. The story must be told from inside one character’s head at a time. If you were writing your own story, you would be using your own name.
Unlike first person subjective viewpoint, you can change who’s telling the story within a chapter, if you do it the right way. First person subjective viewpoint requires you to remain in one person’s head—at least for an entire chapter, if not for the entire book.
Let’s look at the application of third person subjective viewpoint in my tale of flying into St. Croix for the first time. In this example, we’ll remain in one character’s mind.
Example of Third Person Viewpoint
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Differences between First Person Subjective and Third Person Subjective Viewpoints
- ‘I’ is replaced by ‘Denise,’ ‘she,’ ‘hers’ and ‘her.’ If ‘I’ was Dennis, it would be replaced with ‘Dennis,’ ‘he,’ ‘his’ and ‘him.’
- ‘We’ is replaced with ‘they.’
- ‘Us’ is replaced with ‘them.’
- ‘Our’ is replaced with ‘their’ and ‘ours’ is replaced with ‘theirs.’
Advantages of Third Person Subjective Viewpoint
Because it isn’t obvious to the reader that Denise is writing about herself, readers are more likely to identify with her. If a heroic opportunity arose further along in the story, readers wouldn’t think, “She’s bragging about herself.†Instead, they would be urging her on to success.
The other advantage of third person subjective viewpoint is the option it gives you to shift from one character’s perspective to another’s. In our example, I could choose to switch from Denise’s perspective to Gordon’s as long as I use an objective sleeve.
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Example of Switching from One Character’s Mind to Another’s
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Limitations of Third Person Subjective Viewpoint
Much as today’s reader likes to know ‘where it’s at’ rather than ‘where it isn’t,’ we must explore the limitations of this point of view so you become truly comfortable with this viewpoint if you choose it.
You are limited to things the story teller sees and experiences.
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You are limited to things of which the story teller is aware.
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You must dig deeply into your character’s subjective thoughts.
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It’s easier to slip out into another viewpoint.
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Summary
The third person point of view is used more than any other because it offers a level of freedom first person point of view doesn’t. It allows you to reach into the depths of a character as completely as first person viewpoint, without the limitation of appearing puffed up.
The limitations connected with this point of view are rather insignificant once you understand them. You’ll find they pose little threat to your ability to write a compelling story.
