POV

POV is an abbreviation for point of view, referring to the perspective from which something is presented, such as a narrative, a scene in film, or a video game. It describes the angle or stance from which information is conveyed and can influence how audiences interpret events, characters, and motives.

In literature, POV denotes the narratorial stance and can be first person (I), second person (you), or third person (he/she/they). Within third person, perspectives may be limited to one character’s experiences or be omniscient, offering thoughts across multiple characters. The chosen POV shapes what readers know, how closely they feel attached to characters, and the perceived reliability of the narration.

In film and television, POV often refers to camera perspective. A POV shot depicts what a character would see, positioning the audience within the character’s line of sight. This technique can heighten immersion or convey subjectivity, and it is frequently contrasted with objective or subjective viewpoints achieved through editing and framing.

In interactive media such as video games, POV indicates the player’s viewpoint. First-person perspective places the player inside the character’s body, while third-person perspective shows the character on screen. The point of view affects navigation, combat, and how players relate to the character.

In online writing and role-playing communities, POV is used to label prompts and narratives written from a specific character’s perspective. The term provides a concise way to indicate narrative stance across different formats.