Writing in the Second Person

(example 1) You held me in your arms the day I was born. You took me to your favorite fishing stream and told me stories so funny I nearly fell in the water….

(example 2) You’re starving, and you’ve just fixed yourself a giant hero sandwich, with a mound of chips and a tall glass of milk. You sit down and switch on your favorite TV program, get yourself settled in your favorite spot on the sofa, and, ring ring! The telephone rings and you run to get it but when you pick it up it’s one of those telemarketers….

By JoAnn Portalupi and Ralph Fletcher

In the 2nd person style of narrating, the writer speaks directly to us, the reader. There are at least two reasons to use the second person point of view. You may want to speak to a particular person, for example a relative (example 1), or you might want to invite the reader to enter the life of the story, to imagine being part of what you’re writing (example 2). However, a note of caution; writing in the second person removes you from the story and is not recommended, except for limited use. It is commonly referred to as a passive style of writing, meaning that the writer is removed from the writing.

In example 1, the writer is speaking to a relative similar to a letter. In example 2, the writer has removed him/herself and is including you (all of you) in the situation.

Assignment: 1) Rewrite example 2 using 1st person narrative. Which do you like? 2) Write a paragraph in the 2nd person style. Here are a few ideas, but you can use one of your own: - going out to a new restaurant and having a horrible meal - receiving a bad birthday present but trying to appear polite - having the world’s worst haircut/dye job (you know who you are!) - fixing a midnight snack