Understanding Narrative Perspectives

Front

3rd person limited

Back

Narrator knows thoughts/feelings of one character

Front

3rd person objective

Back

Narrator reports only actions and dialogue

Front

3rd person omniscient

Back

Narrator knows thoughts/feelings of all characters

Front

Example of 3rd person limited

Back

"She felt nervous as she entered the room."

Front

Example of 3rd person objective

Back

"He walked to the door and opened it."

Front

Example of 3rd person omniscient

Back

"She was excited, but he was worried."

Front

3rd person limited focus

Back

Single character's perspective

Front

3rd person objective focus

Back

Observable events only

Front

3rd person omniscient focus

Back

Multiple characters' inner thoughts