There are three main types of point of view (POV): first person, second person, and third. I've talked about understanding POV before, but since choosing the right POV for your story is so important, I wanted to share more of what I learned about the advantages and disadvantages of each.

One writer and editor of Writer's Digest, James V. Smith Jr. Covers this well in the book Crafting Novels and Short Stories: The Complete Guide To Writing Great Fiction. Mr. Smith writes:

First Person POV

As we already know, first person POV refers to the I, we, me, my, mine, us narrator, often the voice of the main character.

There I was, minding my own beeswax when she up and kissed me. I nearly passed out. 

Advantages of this POV:

- It feels natural to most writers because we live in an "I" world.

- You can create a distinctive internal voice.

- You can add an element of craft by creating a narrator who is not entirely reliable. (See Unreliable Narrator).

Disadvantages of this POV:

- You are limited to writing about what the narrator can see and sense.

- The narrator must constantly be on stage or observing the stage.

- You can't go into the minds of the other characters.

Second Person POV

This is the "You" narrator. This POV is rarely successful, and even then it works best in shorter books. (See Jay McInerney's Bright Lights, Big City) 

You're just standing there. She comes along and kisses you. You nearly faint. 

Advantages of this POV: 

- It gives you the power to be different, even eccentric in the way you speak to the reader so directly.

Disadvantages of this POV: 

- It begins to feel quirky, whether you're reading or writing it.

- It can say to a publishing professional, "I'm a Jay McInerney knock off! Reject me!"

Third Person POV

The he, she, it, they, them narrator, third person is the most common POV in fiction. It offers a variety of possibilities for limiting omniscience information that the narrator and reader are privy to in the telling of the story.

Third Person Unlimited Omniscience:

In this POV, the author enters the mind of any character to transport readers to any setting or action.

He stood stiff as a fence post, watching her come his way. What did she want? he wondered.

She had decided to kiss him, no matter what. So she did. She could see the effects of her kiss at once. He nearly fell over. 

Advantages of this POV:

- It can enrich your novel with contrasting viewpoints.

- Both you and your reader can take a breath of fresh air as you shift from one character's POV to another's.

- You can broaden the scope of your story as you move between settings and from conflicting points of view. 

Disadvantages of this POV:

- You can confuse yourself and the reader unless every voice is distinctive. 

- You can diffuse the flow of your story by switching the POV more often. (Notice how the last passage about the kiss jolts you from one point of view to another.)

- It's easy to get lazy and begin narrating as the author instead of as one of your characters.

Third Person Omniscience

The author enters the mind of just a few characters, usually one per chapter or scene.

He stood as stiff as a fence post, watching her come his way. What did she want? he wondered, as she approached. Then he saw the determination in her face. Good crackers! She was going to kiss him, no matter what.

She did, too, and he nearly fell over.

Advantages of this POV:

- It has all the advantages of third person unlimited POV.

- You can concentrate the story by keeping to major character's (and strategic minor character's) thoughts.

Disadvantages of this POV:

- There aren't any, really; by imposing POV discipline, you minimize the downsides of unlimited omniscience.

- These are by far the most common points of view and will suit most any story. 

Which point of view do you prefer? 

-Kelly

For more info: Crafting Novels and Short Stories by Writers Digest