Second-Person Point of View: Advantages and Disadvantages for Your Novel

Of all the points of view, the second-person point of view is probably the most unique in that you do not see it quite as often in novels. When looking for it, it is easier to find it among literary fiction than contemporary, although contemporary fiction has it. So, what is second-person point of view you ask?  Second-person point of view directly addresses the audience or reader as “you.” Sometimes the audience being addressed can be other characters in the novel, such as implied characters, or imaginary personages outside the novel.  And sometimes, the author will actually address the reader as “reader.”

Second-person point of view can be used both in fiction and nonfiction. An author may also use second person periodically throughout a novel in conjunction with the first-person point of view. Keep in mind though that in second-person point of view the “you” is used outside of the dialogue. 

Advantages of Second-Person Point of View

One of the main advantages to using second-person point of view is that the reader can feel more intimately connected and involved with the story.  The reader gets the sense of participating rather than just reading. Second-person point of view also gives life to the characters in a way that other viewpoints don’t.

Disadvantages of Second-Person Point of View

What is an advantage of the second-person point of view can sometimes become a disadvantage.  Addressing the audience as “you” works best if the reader feels that it is applicable to them. Novels solely written in second person make it more of a possibility that the reader may feel disconnected from the story.  Should you choose to write your novel entirely in second-person viewpoint, make sure that your reader can feel that each scene applies to him or her.  

Example of Second-Person Point View

Here is an example of a second-person point of view in the nonfiction article by Abby Ellin titled “Tuition Impossible.”

So you’ve finally done it—studied your brains out, signed up for a zillion activities and survived your SATs. You rock. Now all you have to worry about is money. You panic.

This introduction addresses the reader by effectively using the pronoun “you.” Anyone who has ever applied for college and everything that goes along with it can relate.  Compare that to this rewrite.

After studying hard, signing up for a zillion activities, and surviving their SATs, many students find money to be a daunting hurdle they must scale to get to college.

Clearly, in the first example the reader can feel an instant connection that isn’t made with the second example. The first example grabs you, the second one does not. If you have not decided on a viewpoint for your novel or want to vary your first-person point of view, try experimenting with second person and see where it takes your story.