Third person objective vs limited point of view: a clear explanation.

📚 Understanding Third-Person Point of View

Third-person point of view tells a story from the perspective of someone outside the story. The narrator uses pronouns like "he," "she," and "they" to refer to the characters. However, there are two main types: objective and limited.

🧐 Third-Person Objective

In third-person objective, the narrator acts like a fly on the wall. They only describe what can be seen and heard, without revealing the thoughts or feelings of any characters. It's like watching a play unfold.

• 👁️ External Focus: The narrator only reports observable actions and dialogue.
• 🎤 No Internal Thoughts: We don't know what any character is thinking or feeling.
• 📰 Impartial Tone: The narrator remains neutral and avoids judgment.

👤 Third-Person Limited

In third-person limited, the narrator focuses on the thoughts and feelings of only one character. We see the world through that character's eyes. Think of it as having a camera lens focused on a single person.

• 🧠 Internal Focus: The narrator reveals the thoughts and feelings of one specific character.
• 👓 Selective Knowledge: We only know what the chosen character knows.
• 🎭 Subjective Experience: The narrative is colored by the chosen character's perspective and emotions.

🔑 Key Differences Summarized

✍️ Examples

Objective: "John walked into the room. He looked around. Mary sat at the table." (We only see actions.)

Limited: "John walked into the room, his heart pounding. He wondered if Mary would be angry." (We know John's thoughts and feelings.)