how to write in third person

In literature, academic writing, and journalism, it is common to write in the third person. When writing in the third person, you don’t use first person pronouns like “I” or “we” to refer to characters or topics. Instead, you use “he,” “she,” or “they.” Here are some suggestions for writing in the third person:

Know the difference between the first person and the third person. First person is used when the author talks about himself or herself (e.g. “I went to the store”). When a writer wants to talk about someone else, they use the third person (e.g. “He went to the store”).

Pick your point of view. Choose whether you will write from a limited point of view or a broad one. In a story told from a limited point of view, the narrator only knows what one character thinks and feels. In omniscient point of view, the narrator knows what all the characters are thinking and feeling.

Use words for the third person. Use third person pronouns like “he,” “she,” “they,” or “it” to talk about other people or things. Don’t use “I” or “we” to talk about yourself.

Describe thoughts and actions in a neutral way. Don’t use your own opinions or biases when talking about actions and thoughts. Stick to descriptions that are based on facts that can be seen.

Use dialogue to show who someone is. Use dialogue to show how a character acts and thinks. This way, the reader can learn about the characters without the narrator having to say much about them.

Stay the same. Once you’ve decided on a point of view, keep it the same the whole time you’re writing. Don’t switch back and forth between first person and third person. This can be confusing for the reader.

Here’s an example of third-person writing:

John walked down the street with his hands in his pockets. He looked up at the sky in hopes of seeing the sun. As he turned the corner, he saw a group of kids playing in the park. They laughed and yelled, and their faces were full of happiness. John couldn’t help but smile when he saw what was there.

By following these rules, you can write in the third person and make your stories or academic writing more interesting. Remember to pick a point of view, use third-person pronouns, and describe actions and thoughts in an objective way. You can get good at writing in the third person if you work at it and pay attention to the details.