Point-of-view shifts?

[AllThatYouDreamed]

For my English class we're writing a horror short story. Mine involves a nondescript protagonist/main character and a very 3-dimensional antagonist

The bulk of the story makes the most sense in 3rd person limited, from the protagonist's POV

However, I'd love to work in some dramatic irony(as well as explain what's really going on a bit more detailed) and have a jump to the antagonist, 1st person POV.

If I make it very obvious I'm making a point of view shift, is there anything wrong with doing it, or do I need to just simply write in 3rd person omniscient?

As far as the story would go, it would still have to be set up in the same "jump from this place to that place", I'd personally feel it appropriate to have a shift there as everything else is changing track as well.

But, my teacher wasn't sure on it & said I *could* but may want to reconsider.
So. your thoughts?

[Bob_]

Well last year my class went over a short story where the point of view shifted with no actual direct acknowledgement. However, it did start a new section from another character's p.o.v. but sometimes did it at random new paragraphs and otther times started new sections without a p.o.v. change. So if you think you can manage to do this, it should be a powerful change. I personally picture it like a, if you will, blurry rush from a video gaming style Top-down p.o.v. into the back of their head to see through their eyes. Lol, if this makes any sense, it should be useful.

[darkwoon]

Cheat. If you do not want to switch from the 3rd person to the 1st (note that such a practice is not per se wrong, as long as it is properly done), then write everything from a 1st person POV, and simply switch speakers.

Unless you want to create a kind of schizophrenic effect, you wouldn't want to switch characters in the middle of a paragraph. You do not want to be too explicit when switching; instead, change the way every character thinks and speaks: one could use brief sentences with direct terms, another would favor long metaphors and enjoy an old-fashioned vocabulary, etc. For the most part, reading a paragraph should allow the reader to understand who is speaking just by the way he's speaking.

The stories I write are usually written in a limited 3rd person POV (the text is written 3rd person, but with the narrator writing as if he/she was a specific character), and I change the speaker every chapter or part of a chapter - the paragraph unit leads to a too fast rythm for my tastes, so I only use it when I want to describe a fast-paced, conflictual scene where confusion arises.

Anyway, what really counts is the story flow: is it easy to understand who speaks? Is the rythm running smoothly, or does the action feel choppy? As long as it is working as expected for the reader, the way it is crafted is of little importance. Your best bet is probably to write it as you think you should, then give it around for reading and see how people react. No, not friends or parents - those tend to display quite biaised opinions ;)

Hope it was helpful!

[AllThatYouDreamed]

Well last year my class went over a short story where the point of view shifted with no actual direct acknowledgement. However, it did start a new section from another character's p.o.v. but sometimes did it at random new paragraphs and otther times started new sections without a p.o.v. change. So if you think you can manage to do this, it should be a powerful change. I personally picture it like a, if you will, blurry rush from a video gaming style Top-down p.o.v. into the back of their head to see through their eyes. Lol, if this makes any sense, it should be useful.
So powerful change meaning just like, changing scenes. It's gonna jump to short lead up&murder scene.

Cheat. If you do not want to switch from the 3rd person to the 1st (note that such a practice is not per se wrong, as long as it is properly done), then write everything from a 1st person POV, and simply switch speakers.
Hm. there's an interesting idea.

Though, the difference between 3rd person LIMITED and 1st person are minimal
One's 3rd person, but centered around a character, so you know what that character is doing/thinking but without it being as personal, it allows for more outside description/detail.
1st person is 1st person (lol)

Unless you want to create a kind of schizophrenic effect, you wouldn't want to switch characters in the middle of a paragraph. You do not want to be too explicit when switching; instead, change the way every character thinks and speaks: one could use brief sentences with direct terms, another would favor long metaphors and enjoy an old-fashioned vocabulary, etc. For the most part, reading a paragraph should allow the reader to understand who is speaking just by the way he's speaking.
Oh, lol, no I'm not writing DID character.
My teacher will probably be worried that I'm detailing a murder, let alone bringing in mental illnesses like that :P

The stories I write are usually written in a limited 3rd person POV (the text is written 3rd person, but with the narrator writing as if he/she was a specific character), and I change the speaker every chapter or part of a chapter - the paragraph unit leads to a too fast rythm for my tastes, so I only use it when I want to describe a fast-paced, conflictual scene where confusion arises.
Well it *is* a horror short story... Fast paced, somewhere around 10 pages (+/- 3, Times New Roman 12pt double spaed)


Ty :)

[darkwoon]

Though, the difference between 3rd person LIMITED and 1st person are minimal
Not in my opinion - that's mostly a question of subjectivity and proximity between the speaker and the reader. 1st person makes the character closer to the reader and paints the scene with a subjective tone; 3rd person limited creates a feeling of distance and objectivity.

One's 3rd person, but centered around a character, so you know what that character is doing/thinking but without it being as personal, it allows for more outside description/detail.
1st person is 1st person (lol)
No need to explain what 1st and 3rd person POVs are, I think we both knew what we were speaking about ;).

Oh, lol, no I'm not writing DID character.
What do you mean by "a DID character"?

Hope you'll share your story once it is finished! XD

[AllThatYouDreamed]

Not in my opinion - that's mostly a question of subjectivity and proximity between the speaker and the reader. 1st person makes the character closer to the reader and paints the scene with a subjective tone; 3rd person limited creates a feeling of distance and objectivity.
I thought that's what I was getting at :P

No need to explain what 1st and 3rd person POVs are, I think we both knew what we were speaking about ;).
And I managed to over explaine what didn't need to be, and under explain what did.
Sorry

What do you mean by "a DID character"?
Multiple Personalities. Schizophrenia isn't multiple personalities, it's a completely different mental disorder.

Hope you'll share your story once it is finished! XD
Once it's graded =D
...And run by a moderator...

[Jupiter]

I think it'd be okay. I just wouldn't like it.. That doesn't seem like the kind of thing I'd like. I'd prolly get confused.