If your writing is for academic purposes, use third person point of view. Third person is pretty easy to master with a little practice.
If you’re new to it, we have a guide that will guide you in every step of the way
What does writing in the third person mean?
The third person point of view is one of three writing styles that can be used to explain a point of view. Even if you don’t realize it, you’ve most certainly used first, second, and third person in writing projects throughout your education.
It is a narrative in which you compose and examine the subject matter entirely on your initiative. You remain impartial. You do not attempt to change readers’ opinions. It’s a completely impartial, objective writing style that gets right to the heart of a subject or tells a story.
If you need to know how to differentiate between them three. Here’s a quick breakdown to understand the differences when you write your next paper:
See also: 10 Types of Creative Nonfiction Books and Genres and How to Write It
First-person
This is from the I/we perspective. This is where we talk about our beliefs, ourselves, and ourselves. When writing in the first person, you will use pronouns like I, me, myself, and mine.
Second-person
This point of view belongs to the person you’re addressing; therefore, it is a ‘you’ perspective. You would use second-person pronouns in your work, such as you, your, and yourself.
Third-person
The writing style used in stories is known as the third person point of view, and it is aimed at the person or people under discussion. In this perspective, the pronouns he, she, him, her, his, hers, himself, herself, it, them, their, and themselves are used. You may also use a name. But that tends to happen more in stories than research papers.
Can you now differentiate them?
When to write in third-person point of view
The third-person point of view is quite common in academic writing since it tells the reader a story and is frequently used when taking an authoritative attitude in your work.
As a result, while writing academic materials such as essays and research papers, always use the third person.
The reason for this is that it will make your work less biased and more objective, thereby increasing your reputation. The third-person perspective allows you to focus on the facts and data rather than your personal opinion, which will eventually boost your grades.
You can break third-person perspectives into three other types, including omniscient, limited, and objective. Although they’re more associated with creative writing than academic work and essays, your writing is likely to fall under the third-person objective point of view.
See also: How to Write and Publish Your Poetry Book
The 3 Types of Third-Person Point of View
Third-person omniscient point of view:
The omniscient narrator understands the plot and the characters. This narrator can travel freely across time, enter the minds of any character, and share with the reader both their own and the character’s thoughts and observations.
For example, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice uses a third-person omniscient point of view, giving the reader complete access to the primary character, Elizabeth, and everyone around her.
Third-person limited point of view:
Also known as a “close third,” this limited point of view happens when an author writes in the third person while focusing on a single character. The narrator can switch between characters in each chapter or portion of the book, or they can do so throughout.
With this point of view, the author can limit the reader’s perspective and control the information they are aware of. It is used to heighten tension and arouse curiosity.
Third-person objective point of view:
In this type of narration, the narrator is objective and oblivious to any character’s emotions or ideas. The narrator tells the story with an observant approach.
Ernest Hemingway uses this third-person narrative voice in his short story “Hills Like White Elephants.” An unidentified narrator tells the story of a couple in Spain talking while waiting for a train. With this point of view, the reader becomes a voyeur, listening in on a scene or story.
See also: Do You Italicize Book Titles? Essay Secrets Revealed
How to use the third-person point of view
Rule number one: never refer to yourself in the third person in an article. That’s not acceptable.
For example, if your essay is about virtual learning, here’s what not to include in the sentence.
“I feel like students perform better at home because they have more freedom and are more comfortable.”
It’s a simple sentence, but when addressing research papers and using a third-person narrative, there are various concerns. Why? You are making comments that sound like opinions because you are using first-person pronouns, and you are unable to back them up with facts or credible research.
Also, it isn’t very assertive. “I feel like” will not impress the person evaluating your work because it lacks authority and underlines that it originated just in your mind and is insignificant in any way.
However, if you alter the example to the third-person perspective, you can reference your sources, which is exactly what you should do to improve your essay and research paper marks.
Let’s rewrite the line in a more expansive third person point of view:
“A psychological study from Karrie Goodwin shows that students thrive in virtual classrooms as they offer flexibility. They can make their hours and take regular breaks. Another study from high school teacher, Ashlee Trip, highlighted that children enjoy freedom, the ability to work at their own pace and decide what their day will look like.”
With a third-person narrative, you can present evidence to the reader and back up the claims you make. As a result, it not only shows your knowledge but also your diligence in researching and backing up your work with credible sources and facts rather than simply your opinions.
Advantages and Reasons to Write in Third Person Point of View
Strong character development.
When compared to the first and second person, the third person can highlight more characters and cover a longer narrative arc.
A reader can see the story from every perspective, and each one contributes elements that a character lacks in the other, resulting in a rich, complex narrative.
Narrative flexibility
The third person allows for greater adaptability; you can help your reader see everything, be everywhere, and switch between different characters’ stories. You can go from complete omniscience to a limited or close third point of view.
This latter strategy allows readers to have a greater understanding of a character and scenario by entering the characters’ thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
See also: How to Write a Book With No Experience for Beginners in 12 Steps
Writing from the third person point of view places the narrator above the action, creating a bird’s-eye-view of the story.
Because the narrator has nothing at stake, this perspective, combined with knowledge of at least one character’s thoughts in both omniscient and limited third person, lends the story a more authoritative, trustworthy tone.
Tips for Writing in Third 3rd person
1.Choose the best type of third-person POV for your story
Before you begin writing your story, think about whether a third person perspective—limited, omniscient, or objective—will work best for it. Each has an advantage when it comes to narrative. Do you want the reader to remain in suspense and only learn what the main character discovers?
Next, write your story in a limited third person. Consider writing an epic narrative in the third person omniscient viewpoint, allowing your narrator to be all-knowing and featuring a big cast of people.
2.Use third-person pronouns
When using third-person pronouns such as “he,” “she,” “it,” or “they” instead of referring to specific characters by name, make sure to be consistent.
3.Understand your voice won’t always shine in your essays
Every written work has a voice or point of view that appears to be directed specifically at the reader. This is not always possible, however, because academic writing is more objective than, example, a book.
Your academic work does not require you to “fluff” up your writing to inject your personality into it.
4.Don’t focus on yourself or the reader — focus on the text
The purpose of academic writing is to consistently maintain a formal tone. Your next paper should be written to write in mind, rather than the writer or reader.
5.Coach yourself out of using first-person pronouns
If you’ve only ever written in the first or second person, this is easier said than done. If you find yourself writing in the first person when writing your next paper, go back and alter it to a third-person perspective.
6.Be as specific as possible
This is the point at which things become a little unclear. The key to writing in the third person is to use pronouns like they, it, he, or she. However, using them at the beginning of sentences can appear confusing and potentially mislead the reader, which is the last thing you want in your paper or essay.
Instead, consider using nouns at the beginning of sentences as an alternative. For example, when beginning a statement, use the actual subject—the writer or the interviewer—rather than he, she, or they.
See also: 15 Best Personal Finance Books for Freelance Writers
7.Write in the present tense when using third-person
All academic writing, including reports, essays, and research papers, must be written in the present tense, especially when introducing new themes or discoveries.
As a result, you should write “This report analyzes” as if you are analyzing right now, rather than “This paper analyzed,” which appears to be correct because it occurred in the past and the writing is in the present.
The difference is that you should use the past tense when describing your research approach. This implies, for example, that you would use the third person to refer to “the equipment that was used” or “the results were analyzed by.”
8.Avoid adding your own thoughts
If the topic of your report is something you are deeply interested in, it can be very tempting to include some of your own thoughts. Although you must coach yourself out of it.
In academic writing, you aren’t a commentator. You’re a reporter. It is important to let readers draw their conclusions without over-analyzing them or making the reader lean one way or another.
9.In third-person objective, stay out of everyone’s heads.
If you want to write from an objective point of view, see your characters as complete outsiders, keep in mind that your narrator is blind to their thoughts. As an outside observer, you can only tell the reader what you observe.
Write in a detailed style to convey emotions. Describing a character’s eyes and facial emotions can help to emphasize character growth, conflict, and plot development.
Frequently Asked Questions about writing in third-person
The third person uses pronouns such he, she, him, her, his, hers, himself, herself, it, them, their, and themselves. You may also use a name.
You is used in second person and is therefore not used in third person. The second person is used for the person that is being addressed.
The third-person point of view is aimed at the person or people being talked about, which is the type of writing you’d find in stories. When writing in third-person view, make sure to write in the present tense and avoid adding your own thoughts.
See also: How to Write a Book With No Experience for Beginners in 12 Steps
Conclusion
Writing in the third person in academic papers is easy to learn if you practice regularly and consistently. Examine and critique your work until it is regarded as the norm. Sure, it may be confusing at first, but you’ll rapidly learn the technique and be able to improve your papers and reports.
Keep in mind that the third-person narrator only knows what the character knows. Be aware of your characters’ limitations. Review your writing frequently to ensure that you haven’t given your characters information they shouldn’t have.
References
- Bibguru – how to write in 3rd person
- Masterclass – how to write in third 3rd person
We also Recommend
- How To Write an Application Letter to Chicken Republic for a Job in Nigeria
- How To Write an Application Letter to Join a Church Choir in Nigeria
- How To Write an Application Letter For Daycare Teacher With No Experience in Nigeria
- How To Write an Application Letter for Public Relations Officer with no Experience in Nigeria
