Common Mistakes in using Point of View

In writing a story, there are a lot of things that a writer needs to consider, and one of those is choosing the right point of view for the story. It is an important factor as the narrator’s perspective may affect the whole flow of the narrative. The point of view is the writer’s position when telling a story. The writer must determine who is telling the story and to whom it is being told. The narrator could be a character in the story or someone who isn’t in the story but has a vision of it.

These are the common mistakes that writers make when they write stories, especially when using point of view:

• Inconsistent viewpoint

If you are familiar with the different types of perspectives, then you should know that a great story has a consistent viewpoint. This is what writers do. They start with the first point of view, then switch it abruptly to the third person point of view. Writers should stick to what they’re using, from the type of POV to the choice of depth (omniscient, tight, deep), and down to the tenses used in the story.

It is ideal to have fewer points of view in the narrative, and occasionally choosing only one narrator will be the best option. A stronger, more engaging, and more resonant story form will result from limiting its number. However, there are some exceptions, as there are some stories that have mixed POV or the POV has changed several times.

• Random POV

Choosing an interesting character is important in a story, as is choosing the one who narrates it. Shifting of POV may affect the plot of the story, especially if a random one comes into the picture, such as a minor character’s narration. It seems unnecessary to do so when the whole focus of the story is the two main characters.

• Voice

Great characters can create a wonderful story. Their voices, and the way they narrate the story, should not be bland and monotone. A character’s personality is significant in telling the story as it will make the story more attractive and pleasing to read. The story’s narrator should tell and not show.

The point of view should tell us what and/or who the character really is in the story. Its personality and actions aren’t just simply shown through detailed words but also through the voice and how they speak, even though it’s just a book. A great story comes from the great narration of great characters.