Second-person perspective
Second-person perspective uses "you" and "your" to address the reader directly, creating an instructional tone and serving as the default for product content.
Also known as:
Second-person point of view, Second-person POV, Direct address
What is second-person perspective?
Second-person perspective speaks directly to the reader using "you" and "your." For example, the sentence "You can connect Brivvy to your CMS in under five minutes" places the reader in the action, making the instruction feel personal and clear.
Direct address: You can connect Brivvy to your CMS in under five minutes.
Imperative (implied "you"): Connect Brivvy to your CMS.
Instructional: When you open the app, your dashboard appears.
Why does second-person perspective matter?
Second-person pulls readers into your content and makes instructions easier to follow. Major style guides from Google, Microsoft and Apple recommend it as the default voice for documentation because it cuts passive constructions and keeps the reader oriented. In marketing, it also lifts engagement by signaling that the content was written for the person reading it.
How do you use second-person perspective?
Open instructions with a verb that addresses the reader directly, such as "Click Save" or "Connect your account."
Replace "users can" with "you can" to cut the distance between copy and reader.
Hold the perspective steady across a piece, avoiding mid-paragraph jumps to "we" or "the user."
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