Point of view refers to the perspective from which a story is told. It can have a significant impact on how the reader interprets the events and characters of the story.
There are three main types of point of view: first person, second person, and third person.
First person point of view is when the narrator of the story is a character in the story and uses the pronoun "I." The reader is only able to see and know what this character sees and knows. This can create a more personal and subjective experience for the reader, as they are only able to access the thoughts and feelings of this one character.
An example of first person point of view can be seen in the novel "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The story is narrated by the character Nick Carraway, and the reader is only able to see and understand the events of the story through his eyes. This creates a sense of intimacy with the reader, as they are able to get a deeper understanding of Nick's thoughts and emotions.
Second person point of view is when the narrator addresses the reader directly using the pronoun "you." This is a rare point of view and is often used to create a sense of involvement or immersion for the reader.
An example of second person point of view can be found in the short story "The Choosing" by Rachel Hartman. In this story, the reader is placed in the role of the protagonist and is given the task of making important decisions that will affect the outcome of the story. This creates a sense of engagement and participation for the reader.
Third person point of view is when the narrator is not a character in the story and uses pronouns such as "he," "she," or "they." The narrator can either be omniscient, meaning they have access to the thoughts and feelings of all the characters, or limited, meaning they can only see and know what is happening from the perspective of one character.
An example of third person limited point of view can be seen in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. The story is narrated by the character Scout Finch, and the reader is only able to see and understand the events of the story through her eyes. This creates a sense of intimacy with the reader, similar to first person point of view, but also allows for the inclusion of other characters' thoughts and feelings.
Overall, point of view is an important aspect of storytelling as it determines the perspective from which the reader experiences the events and characters of the story. It can greatly affect the reader's understanding and interpretation of the story.