Point of view is the perspective from which a story is told, and choosing one is among the most consequential decisions a writer makes. In first-person POV, a character narrates using "I," giving readers intimate access to one mind. Second-person POV addresses the reader as "you" and is rare in fiction but powerful in essays and some experimental work. Third-person limited POV follows one character's thoughts through "he," "she," or "they," balancing intimacy with some narrative distance. Third-person omniscient employs a narrator who knows all characters' thoughts, while third-person objective uses a neutral narrator who reports only observable actions, leaving minds largely closed. Maintaining point of view consistency is essential; head-hopping—shifting POV mid-scene confusingly—is a common pitfall, and in omniscient narration, it can quickly disorient readers.
Closely related are voice and style. Voice is the author or narrator's distinct personality on the page, while style refers to the techniques used to achieve that voice. Style is the method; voice is the result. Tone is the author's attitude toward the subject or audience, while mood is the emotional atmosphere the piece evokes in readers. Psychic distance describes how close the narrative feels to a character's mind, from the distant overview of omniscient summary to the deep interior monologue and stream of consciousness that mimic the flow of thoughts themselves. An unreliable narrator—signaled by inconsistencies, bias, limited perspective, or revealing motives—adds yet another layer of complexity.
Setting is the time and place where a story occurs, and it does far more than decorate the plot. Setting shapes atmosphere, generates conflict, and influences character. In speculative genres, world-building is the detailed construction of a fictional setting, often requiring its own internal logic, history, and geography. The opening line of a story often establishes setting along with tone, signaling to readers what kind of world they are entering and what kind of story they are about to read.