How to Write in Third Person?

Writers often have to use third-person writing skills to create a special atmosphere. Readers are able to see the situation from different angles, and this is the result of using the technique correctly. However, it is not as simple as it may seem: you cannot write stories if you remain trapped in the personal pronouns “I” or “we”.

Not only do you need to remember this, but the time spent on an incorrect story cannot be returned. To develop your writing talent, it is worth carefully reading the recommendations for writing in the third person. Fortunately, there are not too many problems with this form.

Why writers often use third-person writing

Writing detailed stories about the lives of one or more characters appeals to writers because it allows you to express your creativity and imagination. Writing in the third person is not easy, but how else can you tell about someone else’s thoughts? When writing a story, it is important to maintain realism while respecting certain boundaries, not violating the personal space of another person.

To write a story from the perspective of an observer, it is wrong to use only one point of view. Narrators who choose the third person have some advantages over those who write in the first person:

1. Description of the situation from different points of view. It is impossible to empathize with the characters and understand their attitude to problems without using third-party participation. To convey an important idea to the reader, choose the stories of several people.
2. Better character development. The main character remains the center of attention when the writer tells the story in the first person. The text in the third person helps to reveal the other participants in the book. At the same time, the emphasis does not shift from the main character. In addition, it is possible to demonstrate the feelings of different people.
3. Many description options. You can learn about the events in the hero’s life in several ways. If he himself talks about what happened, the situation will seem one-sided. To reveal the thoughts of other characters to the reader, you can use appropriate dialogues or indirect references.

The author’s task is to reveal the essence of the book or article, captivating the readers. Without introducing new characters and describing their feelings, this is much more difficult to do. With this in mind, writers create a world in which all the characters are equally important and revealed as individuals.

Categories of texts from the third person

Before you start writing from the third person, you need examples of how to do it correctly. The general principles are simple: remember that the text should not contain personal pronouns and nouns indicating that the narrator agrees with the hero.

In addition, you need to choose a narrative style. To do this, the author has several options for how to write a summary from the third person:

1. Objective. The author looks at the world with his own eyes, but describes events from the lives of the heroes. The writer does not express his attitude to what happened. Deep disclosure of the heroes is not necessary, since their internal disputes do not affect the development of the plot.
2. Limited. The peculiarity of this method is the ability to focus on the feelings and experiences of the hero. At the same time, the rest of the story is told from the observer’s point of view. When choosing the second method, it is important to maintain consistency and not cross the line between the inner lives of several characters.
3. Omniscient. The option is one of the most often used, since it allows you to reveal the experiences of several people. The reader is imbued with the feelings of the heroes and becomes a direct participant in the story. Thanks to the omniscient author technique, you can penetrate the storyline.

You can often write in the third person and not notice it. If you use this technique carelessly, there is a chance of making mistakes. To minimize risks, it is worth listening to the useful recommendations of other writers.

Learning to write texts in the third person

A letter from an outside observer often requires additional preparation. If the task is to master the story about yourself in the third person, then for this it is enough to change the pronoun “I” with “he” or “she”. Before writing the chapter, prepare:

1. A brief summary of the characters. If you plan to talk about the lives of several people, prepare a short description. Using such a cheat sheet, it is much easier to follow the chosen plot.
2. Description of character. The motives that will move the characters should be simple and understandable. To be able to display this on paper, describe the character, facts and aspirations of the character.
3. Backstory. The characters have not only a present, but also a past. Stories that are left out of the book or article can strengthen the character or weaken his influence on the reader. Just mention this side too.

It is equally important to balance between demonstration and description. Dialogues and actions help to reveal the character’s personality from different sides. This has a positive effect on your story because the reader relates to the character as if he or she is familiar with them. Words that do not fit into the description are better not to use.

Dialogues help to strengthen the results of your work. It takes time to recreate the real conversation between people on paper. You must understand what it means to speak in the third person. At the same time, avoid distinctions. Acting characters are no less fascinating than thinking ones. Maintaining a balance between all manifestations can be difficult.