If we write our story using first or second person point of view (POV), we know what POV we’ve written. First person uses I/we pronouns in the narrative as the character shares their story, and second person uses you pronouns in the narrative.

But if we write in third person—using he/she/they pronouns in the narrative—the POV situation gets a ton trickier. Third-person POV ranges over a spectrum from the most distant and objective to the deepest and most subjective perspectives, and the lines between those definitions are often gray and wavy.

So if we write in 3rd person, how can we tell where our story falls on the POV spectrum…and avoid problems? Is our writing really as deep or as wide as we want for readers?