Writing Excuses 20.16: Second Person
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Apr 20, 2025 The second-person narrative perspective is explored for its unique ability to immerse readers in the story. It creates an intimate experience, making readers feel like active participants rather than passive observers. The podcast dives into various forms of this POV, including its use in letters and conversations. It highlights the emotional depth it can offer, especially in marginalized storytelling. Additionally, it encourages writers to experiment with this engaging style, concluding with a creative homework challenge.
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Second Person Intimacy
- Second person may be more intimate than first person by forcing reader's subjectivity into the story.
- It can be disorienting or fun because the reader becomes part of the experience itself.
Second Person and Marginalization
- Second person can force readers to experience lack of control, mirroring marginalization.
- It makes readers feel the character's powerlessness by dictating actions and perception.
Second Person in Star Trek
- A Star Trek Voyager episode uses second person to make you relive a massacre.
- It forces the participant to feel guilt to ensure atrocities don't happen again.