Why and How to Write in 2nd Person

Welcome to this article about the forgotten point of view: second person. Point of view is an essential aspect of storytelling that determines the relationship between the narrator, protagonist, audience, and story. 

It's like shining a light on an object from different angles, and each angle provides a unique perspective.

In this article, we'll explore the definition of the second person, its unique aspects, and misconceptions about it.

Defining the second person is straightforward. It's a point of view that uses the pronoun "you" to address the protagonist directly. 

Unlike other points of view, the second person reflects the story at the narrator, allowing access to aspects of the character's psychology that other points of view wouldn't allow.

While it's not the most popular point of view, it has unique uses and can have a very distinctive effect that you can't achieve in other points of view.

Key Takeaways

• The second person is a point of view that uses the pronoun "you" to address the protagonist directly.
• Second person has unique uses and can have a very distinctive effect that you can't achieve from other points of view.
• Misconceptions about the second person include the idea that the reader is the narrator.

The Forgotten Point of View

Have you ever heard of the second person point of view? It's often referred to as the "forgotten point of view" because it's not as commonly used as the first or third person. 

The second person is when the narrator addresses the reader as "you." It's not often used in novels or short stories, but it can have a unique effect that you can't achieve from other points of view.

The point of view you choose for your story is important because it determines the relationship between the narrator, protagonist, audience, and story. 

Point of view affects the psychic distance between the narrative and the character, the narrative's tone towards the protagonist, any framing devices used, and the temporal relationship between the story and the narrator.

While the second person may not be the most popular point of view choice, it can be a great option for certain characters and stories. 

The second person can feel exceptionally intimate and can allow access to aspects of a character's psychology that other points of view wouldn't. It can also have a unique effect on the reader, drawing them in with its uniqueness and immediacy.

Despite its benefits, the second person is often misunderstood. One common misconception is that the reader is the narrator. However, in second person, the narrator is addressing the story back to the protagonist. 

It's important to understand the nuances of each point of view to choose the one that best showcases the most interesting aspects of your character and story.

Defining Second Person

The second person is a point of view that uses the pronoun "you." It is similar to the first person, but instead of the narrator telling the story to a reader, the narrator is addressing the story back to the protagonist.

The second person can allow you to access aspects of your character's psychology that other points of view wouldn't allow you to access. 

It is important to note that the second person does not mean that the reader is the narrator, which is a common misconception.

When choosing the best point of view for your story, you want to pick the one that will best showcase the most interesting aspects of your character, and for certain characters, the second person can be the best choice.

Point of View and Its Importance

In writing, point of view refers to the angle from which a story is being told. The point of view determines the relationship between the narrator, protagonist, audience, and the story. 

It affects or determines the psychic distance, the relationship that the protagonist has to the story, the narrative's tone towards the protagonist, and the temporal relationship between the story and the narrator.

There are different types of points of view, such as first person, second person, and third person.

The second person is a point of view that uses the pronoun "you" to address the protagonist directly. It is often considered the forgotten point of view because it is not as commonly used as other points of view.

Despite its rarity, the second person has unique uses and effects that cannot be achieved from other points of view. It can feel exceptionally intimate, turbulent, and chaotic as if the reader is stuck in a feedback loop within the main character's mind.

When choosing the best point of view for a story, it is important to pick the one that will best showcase the most interesting aspects of the character's psychology. 

Different points of view give you different access to your character's psychology, and the second person can be the best choice for certain characters.

Psychic Distance in Narrative

Psychic distance refers to the level of emotional closeness between the reader and the protagonist in a story. It is determined by the point of view used in the narrative. 

Different points of view can give the reader varying degrees of access to the protagonist's thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

In the first person point of view, the protagonist is the narrator, and the reader experiences the story through their perspective. This creates a high level of psychic distance, as the reader is limited to only what the protagonist knows and feels.

In contrast, the third person's point of view can create a lower psychic distance, as the reader is not limited to the protagonist's perspective.

Third person's omniscient point of view allows the reader to access the thoughts and emotions of multiple characters, while third person limited point of view restricts the reader to the perspective of a single character.

Second person's point of view, which uses "you" as the pronoun for the protagonist, can create a unique psychic distance. It can feel exceptionally intimate and immersive, as the reader is placed directly into the protagonist's shoes. 

However, it can also create a sense of distance, as the reader is still limited to the protagonist's perspective and experiences.

Comparing Points of View

When it comes to writing, choosing the right point of view can make all the difference in how the story is perceived by the reader. 

Point of view is the angle from which the story is being told, and it determines the relationship between the narrator, the protagonist, the audience, and the story.

There are various types of points of view, including first-person, the second-person, third-person omniscient, and third-person limited.

Compared to the first person, the second person can allow you to access aspects of your character's psychology that other points of view wouldn't allow you to access. This is because the second person reflects the story back at the narrator, allowing for a more intimate and personal connection with the protagonist.

On the other hand, third person limited can examine a character who is unaware that they have a story worth telling, or who wouldn't be able to adequately explain or articulate the story to the reader.

Third-person omniscient, on the other hand, can be used to explore a story whose scope is beyond the protagonist's understanding.

It's important to choose the point of view that best showcases the most interesting aspects of your character's psyche. 

While the second person may not be the most popular choice, it can have a very unique effect on the reader and draw them in with its uniqueness. So, if you're looking to experiment with point of view in your writing, don't forget about the forgotten point of view - second person.

Unique Aspects of Second Person

Second person's point of view, although not commonly used, has unique aspects that make it a valuable tool for writers. 

It is a point of view that uses the pronoun "you" to address the story back to the protagonist. This flipped angle allows the narrator to access aspects of the character's psychology that other points of view wouldn't allow.

Using the second-person point of view can make a story feel exceptionally intimate and turbulent. It creates a feedback loop within the main character's mind, which can have a very unique effect that cannot be achieved with other points of view.

Because it is so rare, the second person point of view immediately stands out to readers and draws them in due to its uniqueness.

Misconceptions About Second Person

When it comes to writing in the second person point of view, a few misconceptions often arise.

One of the most common misconceptions is that the reader is the narrator. However, in the second person point of view, the narrator is addressing the story back to the protagonist using the pronoun "you".

Another misconception is that the second-person point of view is rarely used and not talked about. While it is true that the second person is not as commonly used as other points of view, it still has its place in literature.

Some writers prefer to use the second person because it allows them to access unique aspects of their character's psychology that other points of view may not allow.

Writing in the second person can have a very intimate and unique effect on the reader. It can feel like the reader is stuck in a feedback loop within the main character's mind, which can create a turbulent and chaotic atmosphere.

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