Understanding the Technique of Writing Fiction Through Examples of True Third Person Point of View
YOGYAKARTA - Mastering good storytelling techniques is the dream of every fiction writer today. One of the keys is to understand various examples of third person point of view to bring the characters of the story to life.
By using this perspective, it will give you the freedom to explore the emotions of the characters more broadly. The right narrative technique will also make the reader feel closer to the conflict you are presenting.
What is Third Person View?According to the Journal of Literacy Pena, this perspective uses the pronoun "he" or the character's name consistently. You act as a narrator who objectively narrates events outside the main character's circle.
To be aware, this point of view is a favorite choice for many popular novel writers. Its flexibility allows you to build a vast and complex story world without having to be stuck on one character's thoughts alone.
Third Person View ExampleThe following are some definitions of third-person point of view accompanied by examples in some popular literary works:
Third Person Point of View "He" KnowsNurgiyantoro (2018) explains that the omniscient narrator sees everything in the story. He is able to observe the thoughts and actions of each character in depth without any information limit for the reader.
For example, the omniscient third-person point of view, you can see the short story Twins Not Conceived. The author describes Herman and Hermin from physical characteristics to the background of their birthplace.
The author is fully aware of all the thoughts and feelings experienced by the two characters. You can see how the narrator reveals their closeness from elementary school to high school in great detail and transparently.
The same thing can be seen in the short story Bersahabat Ombak which tells the story of the figure of Ibu Firda. The narrator tells what influences the mind of the teacher even though the author is outside the narrative of the story.
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You can also find this technique in the character Tina in the short story Don't Kill Your Future. The author freely switches between characters to reveal the secrets and economic conflicts that are going on.
Knowing the Limited Third Person Point of ViewUnlike the omniscient type, the limited point of view makes the narrator only tell what one character knows. The narrator cannot see into the brains of other characters in the storyline.
You can learn this technique from Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice. The narrator only focuses on Elizabeth Bennet's feelings so that the reader feels the prejudice she experiences towards other characters.
Third Person View As ObserverThe concept according to Kusmayadi (2008) the third person as an observer emphasizes on behavior without revealing the innermost thoughts of the characters. The author tells the characters' actions but still hides information about what they are really thinking inside.
Ernest Hemingway's work titled Hills Like White Elephants is a perfect example of this technique. The author only describes the dialogue and atmosphere without ever getting into the minds of his characters who are in conflict.
This observer technique is very appropriate if you want to build a mystery element in writing. Readers will feel challenged to analyze characters based on the actual actions they take throughout the story.
The Importance of Consistency in NarrationThe choice of perspective greatly affects the depth of emotion your readers feel. You have to be consistent so that the storyline doesn't feel like it's jumping around and confusing anyone who enjoys it.
Quality writing starts with a very strong and well-planned technical discipline. For that, make sure you have determined which type of perspective is most suitable before starting to write the first draft.
Studying various examples of third-person point of view will enrich the narrative techniques you currently have. Don't hesitate to continue experimenting in order to produce high-quality and engaging literary works.
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