Most of us tell stories in either First Person or Third person. It's called Voice or Point of View. First Person uses "I", i.e. "I went to the store." Third Person (Omniscient - all knowing) uses "He, She, They." "He went to the store. They went to the store"

But what about that other choice? What about Second Person? Second Person uses "YOU". "YOU went to the store. YOU are the one who forgot the milk. YOU are the one who disappointed the kids."

More precisely, Second Person is a specific person or character talking to a specific person, character or group. It could be the Wife talking to her Husband. "Why didn't you pick up the milk? You have ruined our dinner." Or, the Wife talking to the Kids. "None of you finished your milk! Your father made a special trip to get it. All of you, go to your room!" It could be a much larger group, like a group of friends at your birthday party, "You have all made me feel very special. And you are the ones who I care about the most."

When deciding from which voice to tell your story, don't forget Second Person. It can be a powerful tool. The narrator can only go so far in showing emotional content. Imagine three different voices.

Third Person, Narrator
"He told her he never loved her. He said she was worthless."
This can only go so far in communicating the emotional impact.

First Person - The Wife
"My Husband told me he never loved me. He said that I was worthless."
First Person goes farther with emotions and can convey the feelings of the main character more clearly.

Second Person - The Wife Talking to the Husband
"You told me you never loved me. You said I was worthless."
But Second Person can reveal a higher level of emotions when it portrays the actual person speaking to another.

Third person is one of the most often used voices in singing. Think of many of Taylor Swift songs where she is talking to a former boyfriend. Many religious songs are specifically talking to God. Other love songs: You Made Me Love You; You are the Sunshine of My Life - Happy Birthday is actually sung in Second person!

Second Person is a little more difficult to pull off in storytelling. One should pay attention to time and place. To switch, one can use the phrase, "And remember last July when you refused to go on vacation with us? That was very hurtful. And don't forget my birthday three years ago. You completely forgot it! When I reminded you, you didn't even apologize!"

Storyteller Corinne Stavish tells many bible stories using Second Person, with the Woman in the story talking to God.

So, don't look only at the two most often used voices in the storytellers' bag of techniques. Consider Second Person, especially when you want to intensify the emotion of the story/character.

Want a challenge? Craft three different versions of your story; one in First Person, one in Third; and one in Second...and see what happens.