How to Write in Third Person: A Step-by-Step Guide

Before you start out writing a piece, especially a story, you need to choose an appropriate POV for it.

The narrator of your story can report the events either in the first, second, or third person.  

And once you have picked a POV, you need to stick to it till the very end. 

Writing in third person is often the go-to choice for storytellers. But not every one of them does it the right way.

So here’s our guide on it. Read and learn how to write in third person, types of it, and when is it right to use.

What Does Writing in Third Person Mean?

When you write in third person, you observe the role of a narrator existing outside the story or content you’re creating.

The writing refers to the characters by using names or third-person pronouns like “he,” “she,” “they,” or “it.”

Avoiding first and second-person pronouns creates a separation between the narrator and the narrative’s events. 

The storyteller stands above the narrative. They only describe their observations and the events without involving themselves.

Consider this sentence: “Alex watched the bird steal his sandwich, and he ran after it.”

Here, the writer isn’t speaking from Alex’s perspective but instead describes Alex’s actions as an observer would.

Writing in third person also allows the writer to focus on multiple characters or events without being confined to a single viewpoint.

But why choose this style, you might ask? Let’s show you why before we discuss how to write in third person.

Why Write in Third Person?

As mentioned earlier, third-person writing creates space between the narrator and the characters. 

This gives the writer enough room to describe events and emotions from multiple angles.

This is unlike first-person writing, which traps you inside one character’s mind, or second-person writing, which directly involves the reader.

Put simply, writing in third person allows the writer to be an observer. You can give the reader a broader as well as focused view of the story at the same time. 

Broader because you can provide a panoramic view of the story and focused because you can describe the POV of multiple characters to paint a vivid picture.

Aside from story writing, this writing style also helps in academic or professional writing. You can establish authority by making your points sound less personal and more credible.

As for the mechanics of how to write in 3rd person, there are three ways to do that:

• Third-Person Limited: The narrator focuses on the experiences and thoughts of one character at a time. Readers connect deeply with that one character which builds their interest in the story.

• Third-Person Omniscient: Here, the narrator can describe everything about every character and event. Each character’s thoughts, feelings, secrets, and actions, are all known to the writer. E.g. “Emma pretended to agree, but deep down, she knew she would never go along with the plan.”

• Third-Person Objective: In this type, the narrator reports only the apparent details of the events without exploring any character’s inner thoughts or feelings. The reader is free to imagine those things. 

How to Write in Third Person: 6 Easy Steps

Writing in third person is a craft and like any craft, it takes a bit of practice and know-how.

The following six tips will show you how to write in third person point of view with ease.

1. Replace First-Person Pronouns

Third-person writing starts with eliminating first-person pronouns like “I,” “me,” and “my.”

Instead, you’ll use third-person pronouns such as “he,” “she,” “they,” or even “it,” depending on the context.

This is your first step towards removing personal bias and creating a more objective or neutral tone.

And it’s quite simple too. You just need to think of yourself as an observer rather than a participant.

Here’s a handy table of third person pronouns you’ll rely on:

Type	Example Pronouns
Male	he, him, his, himself
Female	she, her, hers, herself
Gender-Neutral	they, them, their, theirs, themselves
Inanimate Objects	it, its
Generic/Universal	one, someone, anyone

2. Use Names and Proper Nouns

Using names and proper nouns brings clarity and structure, especially when multiple characters or subjects are involved. 

It’s common for readers to lose track of who’s who when the writing doesn’t alternate between names and their corresponding pronouns.

Here’s one such case:

• Confusing: He handed him the book, and he thanked him.

• Clear: David handed Mark the book, and Mark thanked him.

You must have come across such confusing writing before. 

So don’t be like those writers, particularly in dialogue or action-packed scenes.

3. Maintain Objectivity in Formal Writing

Maintaining objectivity is an important and a bit tricky part of third-person writing.

Here, objectivity means to write in a neutral tone. The narrator should focus on factual, observable features rather than subjective interpretations.

See this example for a better understanding:

Instead of describing a city as “beautiful,” you can write something like, “The city is characterized by its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and busy marketplaces.”

When you write like this, you allow readers to form their own opinions based on the details you provide.

The move is to steer clear of emotionally charged adjectives. You let the facts speak for themselves.

This will be hard at first because you’ll have to learn to identify what’s objective and what isn’t. 

But if you find it difficult to filter out bias and you’re serious about learning how to write in third person, an AI Humanizer tool can help you refine your descriptions while keeping the tone objective and consistent.

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4. Write Descriptions From an Outside Perspective

The narrator of third person writing reports exactly what’s happening without any subjective commentary.

Instead of writing, “The old house felt eerie and unsettling,” the narrator might say, “The old house had creaky wooden floors, broken windowpanes, and dim lighting.”

An effective hack to writing like this is to adopt the mindset of a journalist. Have you ever noticed how a true journalist avoids taking sides in a conflict? 

Another trick is to save subjective commentary for characters. 

Instead of the narrator providing opinions, let the characters do the talking.

This is what I mean:

Event: “Dr. Shah approached the podium, clutching her notes tightly.”

Character’s perspective: “You’re truly fearless, Dr. Shah,” a colleague remarked as she began her speech.

5. Limit or Expand Focus Based on Narrative Type

How much information your narrator will reveal depends heavily on the type of narrative you’re writing and the level of detail your story demands.

In a mystery novel, you might limit the focus to keep readers guessing. Your narrator could only describe what one character knows or sees.

But an epic fantasy might require a broader focus to encompass multiple perspectives and intricate world-building.

In this case, the narrator could hop between characters or provide detailed descriptions of the setting.

Not sure how to strike the right balance? The AI Essay Writer can help you maintain consistency and focus throughout your work.

6. Edit and Proofread for Consistency

Once you’ve drafted your piece in the third person, it’s time to put on your editor’s hat.

Check if you’ve used third-person pronouns and determiners correctly.

Are you alternating between names and pronouns to prevent confusion, especially if multiple characters share the same pronoun?  

Also, pay attention to your tone. Third-person writing demands a neutral tone, so your narrator shouldn’t be offering personal opinions or evaluations

Similarly, scan your work for any other minor or major detail, steering away your writing from third person style.

You can’t leave consistency to chance. Use the AI Paraphraser to improve your sentences and align them with your chosen point of view.

Examples of Writing in Third Person

Now that you have a good idea about how to write in third person, it’s time to see it in action!

Here are some examples in different writing formats.

1. Novels

Third person is one of the most popular choices for novels. Here’s a paragraph written in this style:

“Maya trudged through the dense forest, her boots sinking into the damp soil with every step. The wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the faint scent of rain. She tightened her grip on the map, her brow furrowed in concentration. Somewhere in this labyrinth of green, the ruins of Elderhold awaited—a treasure buried in time, waiting to reveal its secrets.”

3. Journalism

Journalistic articles often use third person to present facts objectively and provide readers with a clear and unbiased account of events.

“The city council approved the new public transportation initiative on Tuesday, marking a significant step toward reducing urban traffic congestion. The plan includes the addition of electric buses and an expanded metro system, which officials believe will cut commute times by 30%. Mayor Collins described the move as “a historic commitment to sustainability,” highlighting the city’s dedication to eco-friendly development.”

4. Copywriting

In copywriting, the third person helps maintain focus on the subject rather than the writer’s perspective.

“The EcoGlow desk lamp combines sleek design with energy efficiency. Crafted from recycled materials, it offers bright, adjustable lighting for any workspace. Its long-lasting LED bulb reduces energy consumption by 40%, making it an eco-conscious choice for modern professionals. Whether working late nights or studying for exams, EcoGlow is designed to meet your lighting needs sustainably.”

Let Undetectable AI Lend a Helping Hand

Third person writing style can shape the entire feel of your work given you know how to write in third person to a decent extent.

But don’t worry if you don’t have a good grip on that yet. Undetectable AI, with its list of AI tools, is there to help you every step of the way.

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These and several other helpful tools to help you with writing in third person. Just sign up and start.