If you decide to get into any type of professional writing, you’re going to need to understand the various points of view—first, second, and third person. Each POV narrates the piece from a different perspective and has a different impact on the reader. For example, this blog post mainly uses the second-person POV to speak to you directly.
But, what exactly is the second-person point of view and how can you use it properly? Read on to learn all you need to know. Plus, we’ll compare the three main points of view (first vs second vs third person) so you have a full understanding of all three and how they differ.
What is the second person point of view?
The second-person point of view is a way of speaking directly to your reader. You address them as you would when explaining something to a person in a one-on-one conversation.
Second person pronouns
When writing in second person, the main pronouns you’ll use are:
- You
- Your
- Yours
What is an example of second person point of view?
Here are a few examples of the second-person POV:
It can be used to address pain points and provide a solution.
- If you want to master the second-person viewpoint so you can impress your clients and earn positive reviews—you’re in the right place. This blog post has the answers you need!
The second person can also be used in instructional manuals or articles to teach readers how to do something.
- Before you install a new light fixture, make sure you cut off the power at the breaker so you don’t get shocked.
Additionally, this POV can be used in a call-to-action to convince customers to take the desired next steps.
- You won’t want to miss out on this limited-time offer. Click here to learn more!
When second person is commonly used
Writers often use second-person narration in informal pieces of marketing content such as blogs, social media posts, and web copy. Writers can use this POV to engage readers, address their pain points, and encourage them to take action by speaking to them directly.
First vs second vs third person
In fiction writing, it’s common to use only one point of view throughout an entire story or novel to create a consistent narrative voice. However, content and copywriters often switch back and forth between viewpoints to make their writing more engaging. In fact, they may use all three perspectives in a single blog post or web page to achieve their client’s marketing goals.
Say a client wants you to write a blog post that’s personal and conversational while still being highly informative. In order to accomplish this, you might draw from your own experience on the topic and incorporate first-person anecdotes to make the article more relatable.
To make the content more authoritative, you may also reference scientific studies or include statistics, which you’ll present to readers in the third person. And of course, you’ll use the second-person viewpoint to draw readers in and address the questions and pain points that brought them to your client’s website.
Since you’ll use all three viewpoints in your career as a freelance writer, it’s important to understand the differences between first vs second vs third person. Here’s a closer look at first and third person.
What is the first-person point of view?
Unlike the second-person POV, the first-person viewpoint focuses on the writer instead of the reader. It conveys the writer’s experiences and thoughts from his or her perspective as an individual or member of a larger group. To give you a simple example, the statements “I love tacos” and “we love tacos” are both considered first person because they reflect the speaker’s personal and shared opinions.
First person pronouns
Singular first-person pronouns include:
- I
- Me
- My
- Mine
You can also use plural first-person pronouns to tell personal anecdotes that involve other people besides yourself, or to refer to a company in marketing materials:
- We
- Us
- Our
- Ours
Examples of first person
Some clients may ask you to use first-person plural pronouns when referring to their company, as demonstrated in the example below.
- We’ve successfully guided thousands of first-time homebuyers through the mortgage process. Contact us today to get pre-qualified for a home loan!
This stylistic choice makes brands feel more personable and approachable to consumers, which may help increase conversions and sales.
Another place you’ll see first-person pronouns is in product reviews. Some websites will send you products and pay you to test them out and write about your experience.
- I’ve used this cash-back app for several years and have saved over $500 so far. I highly recommend it!
Finally, writers often use first-person pronouns in website copy, especially if they’re writing an “about me” page for themselves or another solopreneur.
- I’ve been a freelance gardening writer for nearly a decade. My content has helped turn thousands of brown thumbs green.
When is first-person POV commonly used?
In addition to the examples given above, writers often use the first-person POV in personal essays, full-length memoirs, and narrative journalism.
What is a third-person point of view?
Third person tells the story from the perspective of an objective outsider. It uses pronouns like he, she, and it to refer to people, things, and concepts in an indirect, unbiased way. Writing exclusively in the third person can come across as impersonal because it doesn’t incorporate the writer’s experience or speak to readers directly. However, it can be useful for adding authority to a piece.
Third person pronouns
Third person often uses:
- He/him/his
- She/her/hers
- It or its
- They/them/theirs
Examples of third person
Content writers often use the third-person point of view to relay important facts to readers in an objective way. Here’s an example:
- According to a study in the Journal of Interactive Marketing, marketing messages written in the second person enhance consumer engagement and improve brand attitude.
You should also use the third-person point of view if you’re writing a case study about the results customers have achieved by using your client’s product or service.
- When company XYZ started using the second-person viewpoint in its social media posts, consumer engagement increased by 123%.
Additionally, news articles are written in the third person to ensure they’re fact-based and free of any personal opinions or biases.
- Although the fire was put out swiftly, it still destroyed the Smith family’s home.
When is third person commonly used?
To sum things up, the third-person point of view is used in writing that needs an objective, formal tone (such as whitepapers, news articles, press releases, and case studies). Presenting facts, statistics, and studies from a third-person perspective can also make conversational blog posts more authoritative.
Use narrative points of view that work best for your piece
All three perspectives definitely have their place in the freelance writing world. However, when you write in the second person, it can help increase reader engagement by fostering a direct connection between you and your audience. It adds a personal touch to your content and makes your writing more engaging, ensuring that readers come back again and again.
Want to learn more about freelance writing?
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