Third-person

In the context of narrative or perspective, 'third-person' refers to a grammatical point of view where the narrator is not a character within the story, but rather an external observer. The narrator refers to characters using pronouns like 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' 'they,' or names. It allows for a broader scope of narration, providing access to multiple characters' thoughts, actions, and motivations, or focusing on the actions and experiences of a single character. This viewpoint can create distance, objectivity, or provide deeper insight than the first-person perspective, depending on the narrative technique employed. Different forms of third-person exist including third-person limited, third-person omniscient, and third-person objective.

Third-person meaning with examples

• In the story, *he* walked down the street, oblivious to the storm brewing overhead. *She* clutched her coat, a tremor running through her body. *They* hurried towards shelter, their voices barely audible above the wind. The narrator focused primarily on the actions of a single character, a third-person limited perspective. This narrative choice creates intimacy for the reader.
• The novel opens with the sentence, 'The city was a maze of shadows'. It then proceeds to explore the thoughts of multiple characters. The reader experiences the world through a variety of viewpoints, showcasing their feelings and reactions to unfolding events. The third-person perspective enables a comprehensive view of the chaotic reality.
• Detective Miller was reviewing the crime scene, scrutinizing every clue. He noticed a detail everyone else had missed, which provided clues and hints for the investigation. The story remained entirely external, presenting the events and details without venturing into the minds of any characters, using third-person objective storytelling.
• The narrator knew the secrets of everyone in the town, the hidden motivations and the deepest fears, enabling the ability to reveal the characters' backstories. *She* knew the truth about the missing jewels, and *he* knew the real reason for the feud between the two families. This form is known as third-person omniscient.
• From her seat in the audience, *she* watched the drama unfold on stage, her heart pounding. *He* delivered his lines with a voice that commanded attention, conveying vulnerability, and the final scene was intense. This type of perspective allows for the observation of unfolding events in a way that can engage the audience.