Writing in 3rd Person: Pros, Cons, and Examples

Introduction

Writing in 3rd person is a form of writing that uses pronouns such as “he”, “she”, and “they” to indicate the subject of the sentence. It is one of the most commonly used points of view in writing, and is often used for fiction, academic papers, and journalism. The purpose of this article is to explore the basics of writing in 3rd person, examine the advantages and disadvantages of using this point of view, compare it to 1st and 2nd person writing, provide examples of how it is used, and debate the pros and cons of writing in 3rd person.

Explaining the Basics of Writing in 3rd Person

Before delving into the details of writing in 3rd person, it’s important to understand what it is and how it differs from 1st and 2nd person. 3rd person point of view is when a narrator is telling the story, rather than the protagonist or another character in the story. This means that the narrator is not part of the story, and is instead an outside observer who is recounting the events of the story. This point of view is the most common one used in writing, and it allows the writer to create a more objective narrative.

The most common characteristics of 3rd person writing are the use of pronouns such as “he”, “she”, and “they” to refer to characters, and the use of proper nouns to refer to places and objects. For example, if a character’s name is John, the writer would use “John” instead of “he” or “him”. Additionally, 3rd person writing often has a more formal tone than 1st or 2nd person writing, which can make it better suited for academic papers or reports.

Examining the Advantages and Disadvantages of Writing in 3rd Person

One of the main benefits of writing in 3rd person is that it allows the writer to create a more objective narrative. By writing in 3rd person, the writer can distance themselves from the story and create a more impartial account of the events. Additionally, writing in 3rd person can be helpful when writing about multiple characters, as it allows the writer to easily switch between different perspectives without having to constantly refer back to the same character.

However, there are also some drawbacks to writing in 3rd person. One of the main issues is that it can be difficult to create an emotional connection with the reader, as the narrator is an outside observer who is not directly involved in the story. Additionally, 3rd person writing can be less engaging than 1st or 2nd person writing, as it can be harder for the reader to relate to the characters.

Comparing Writing in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Person

To gain a better understanding of writing in 3rd person, it’s important to compare it to 1st and 2nd person writing. In 1st person writing, the narrator is the protagonist of the story and refers to themselves using pronouns such as “I” and “me”. This point of view is often used to create an intimate connection with the reader, as the narrator is directly involved in the story.

In 2nd person writing, the narrator speaks directly to the reader using pronouns such as “you” and “your”. This point of view is often used to engage the reader and make them feel as though they are part of the story.

Although 1st and 2nd person writing can be engaging and effective, they often lack the objectivity of 3rd person writing. Additionally, 1st and 2nd person writing can be difficult to sustain throughout an entire story, as the narrator is limited to one perspective. 3rd person writing, on the other hand, allows the writer to tell the story from multiple perspectives, making it easier to create a fuller and more balanced narrative.

Providing Examples of Writing in 3rd Person

To further illustrate the concept of writing in 3rd person, here are a few examples of passages written in 3rd person:

“John was walking down the street when he saw a cat. He stopped to pet the cat, which purred in response. As he stood up, he noticed a woman watching him from across the street.”

“Samantha had been dreaming of this day for years. She nervously adjusted her dress and took a deep breath before entering the room. Everyone turned to look at her as she walked in, and she could feel her cheeks turning red.”

In both examples, the pronouns “he” and “she” are used to refer to the characters, indicating that the passages are written in 3rd person. Additionally, proper nouns are used to refer to places and objects, such as “the street” and “the room”. These examples demonstrate how 3rd person writing can be used to create vivid descriptions and draw the reader into the story.

Analyzing the Different Types of Writing in 3rd Person

Although 3rd person writing is most commonly used for fiction, it can also be used for other types of writing, such as narrative, descriptive, and expository. Narrative writing in 3rd person is used to tell a story and often includes dialogue between characters. Descriptive writing in 3rd person is used to create vivid descriptions of people, places, and events. Expository writing in 3rd person is used to explain a concept or idea, and often includes facts and statistics.

Debating the Pros and Cons of Writing in 3rd Person

When it comes to debating the pros and cons of writing in 3rd person, there are two sides to the argument. Those who argue in favor of writing in 3rd person point out that it allows the writer to create a more objective narrative, and can be helpful when writing about multiple characters. Additionally, 3rd person writing can be more formal and professional than 1st or 2nd person writing, making it better suited for certain types of writing.

On the other side of the argument, those who argue against writing in 3rd person point out that it can be difficult to create an emotional connection with the reader, and can be less engaging than 1st or 2nd person writing. Additionally, they argue that 3rd person writing can be overly formal and distant, which can make it less effective for certain types of writing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, writing in 3rd person is a form of writing that uses pronouns such as “he”, “she”, and “they” to refer to characters. It is one of the most commonly used points of view in writing, and is often used for fiction, academic papers, and journalism. This article has explored the basics of writing in 3rd person, examined the advantages and disadvantages of using this point of view, compared it to 1st and 2nd person writing, provided examples of how it is used, and debated the pros and cons of writing in 3rd person. Ultimately, whether or not to use 3rd person writing depends on the type of writing and the desired effect.