避免英文寫作錯誤：第三人稱用法的5個常見陷阱 [Avoiding Mistakes in English Writing: 5 Common Pitfalls in Third Person Usage]

在英文寫作中，第三人稱的用法對於敘事的流暢性和角色的發展至關重要。 儘管如此，許多作家在這方面仍然面臨著各種挑戰。以下是五個常見的寫作陷阱，幫助作家避免在使用第三人稱時出現的錯誤，進而提高他們的寫作技巧。

1. 顯示其他角色的思想

在第三人稱的敘述中展現其他角色的內心想法，是撰寫過程中最普遍的錯誤之一。 當選擇使用密切第三人稱時，故事是通過一個角色的感知來進行敘述的。這意味著所有的情感和想法應限制在這位角色的視角內，不能插入其他角色的直觀反應或情感。

錯誤示例	修正建議
Megan watched the fireworks go off above the Ferris wheel. She remembered the time her first boyfriend took her to the fair and kissed her at the top of the ride. She shook off the memory when Casey nudged her. Casey could tell something was bothering Megan.	Megan hoped Casey couldn’t tell something was bothering her.

在敘述中突然呼喊出角色的名字，可能會讓讀者與角色的連結感減弱， 尤其是當角色在故事中首次出現且主角並不熟悉他們的情況下。這將會破壞故事的沉浸感。

錯誤示例	修正建議
In the parking lot, Megan noticed a stranger lingering next to her car. Her heartbeat quickened and she gripped her key in her pocket. Tim tried to open the passenger door.	In the parking lot, Megan noticed a stranger lingering next to her car. Her heartbeat quickened and she gripped her key in her pocket. The man tried to open the passenger door.

當表達角色的內心想法時，使用第三人稱會造成混淆， 因為內心獨白通常應該使用第一人稱形式以反映角色的真正思想。

錯誤示例	修正建議
Megan held Casey’s shoulder and stopped walking. “What is that man doing? Is he trying to threaten them?”	Megan held Casey’s shoulder and stopped walking. What is that man doing? Is he trying to threaten us?

在重要事件中忽視角色的反應，會減少故事的情感深度和吸引力。 讀者通常會期待看到角色對於重大事件的即刻反應。

錯誤示例	修正建議
Using some kind of tool, the man wedged open the passenger door and began to rummage around Megan’s car. Casey took out her phone and dialed 911.	Using some kind of tool, the man wedged open the passenger door and began to rummage around Megan’s car. Megan tried to stifle tears, realizing he would probably find and take the anniversary gift.

讓敘述者在故事中插入個人意見或情感，會破壞角色的視角。 在密切第三人稱的敘述中，所有的情感描述都應該根據角色的經驗進行。

錯誤示例	修正建議
Just then, the man turned toward Megan and Casey. Shockingly, he shut the car door and ran off into the field beyond the parking lot.	Just then, the man turned toward Megan and Casey. He shut the car door and ran off into the field beyond the parking lot. Megan was equal parts shocked and relieved.