A Narrative Technique guide: 25 examples and explanations that will make you a Better Reader and Writer * Blog
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There is no formula for creating a bestseller book or an article worthy of winning a Pulitzer. Each piece of writing is as diverse and unique as the writers of the article, yet, they share the same common thread making use of the narrative approach.
In this article, we'll give how to define narrative technique, what's it "narrative technique" which can be utilized to write non-fiction, as well as fiction and the best method to begin incorporating certain ideas that come from these techniques in your work.
Find out how you can enhance your writing with these tips taken from If I Stay author Gayle Forman.
Quick Links
- What is Narrative Technique?
- What is Narrative Structure?
- 25 Narrative Techniques including Exemples
How do you define Narrative Technique?
The many elements of storytelling methods are divided into six categories distinct from each other:
- Character
- Perspective
- Plot
- Setting
- Style
- Theme
What is Narrative Structure?
There is a temptation to believe that the terms narrative structure in addition to narrative technique are the same thing since they're so similar but they're not. You should think of the narrative structure as the general plan for the house and the narrative technique as the particular bricks used to build the home.
The fundamental concept of structure is the idea of the story you want to tell and all the elements you'll need to use in the creation of this material. It's about how the various elements of them are interconnected to form the complete visual.
There are four different types of narrative structures The most well-known is linear. The story is told from beginning to conclusion in chronological sequence. If you look at certain books and films, you will notice that the most popular linear structure comprise five steps, commonly referred to as The Freytag's Pyramid:
- Beginning/Characteristics Introduction
- Problem/Conflict
- Plot Climax
- Resolution
- End/Character Ending
When we decide how to describe how we tell stories, this refers to our diverse set of components that we employ in this framework that help in reaching the point of no return and help make the experience of readers fascinating or difficult.
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25 Types of Narrative Techniques and Examples
1. Setting
Example of setting
The homes that are featured in Wuthering Heightsby Emily Bronte are often described as cold and miserable places, reflecting the characters that live in them.
2. Foreshadowing
The name implies the writers make use of foreshadowing to indicate future events or consequences which are expected to occur later on in the writing, using the use of objects or individuals from the narrative.
An example of Foreshadowing
"My life is better settled by the hatred of their enemies than death prorogued, wanting the love of your soul." -Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.
3. Cliffhanger
The phrase "cliffhanger" refers to the point where an episode is unfinished and in limbo. It's a typical method for telling stories in the television and film industry, as creators wish viewers to come back for next episode or sequel, in order to determine if the truth will be revealed.
One example is a Cliffhanger
The Pickwick Papers written by Charles Dickens has plenty of possibilities to close the story. The novel was first published as a weekly newspaper and chapters were deliberately left open ended for readers to be enticed to purchase the paper in the week following.
4. Flash Back, Flash Forward, or Flash Forward or Flash
Taking the reader out of an otherwise chronological tale A flashback, or flash forward shows what happened in the past or in the future, that affect people within the present story the timeline.
Example of Flash Forward
A Christmas Carol written by Charles Dickens is one of the most famous examples of flash forward in the world of classic literature.
5. Red Herring
It is commonplace to see them in crime and mystery writing particularly, since authors redirect the readers' attention to an additional character or a part of the story to divert their attention from the truth.
A good illustration of Red Herring
6. Epiphany
A sudden realization by the protagonist could result in a profound influence on the plot. The main reason for this could be because of a situation the character is facing and an answer or a different perspective arises.
An example of Epiphany
The play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the title actor is aware that he has to get revenge on the murder of his father as the play takes him to England.
7. First-person Narrator
In this type of narrative the writer tells the story from the viewpoint that is that of a specific character. Most of the time, it will be the character that is the main character, but that may not be the case in all cases.
A First-Person Narrator Experiment
The story of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is told through Jane's eyes. Jane Ten years after the events that inspired the novel.
8. The backstory
A Backstory Example
Through Frankenstein the story is told, there are references to the events in the history in the life of the Dr. Frankenstein and the monster. The events of the story affect the readers understanding of these characters.
9. Author Surrogate
Most writers incorporate portions of themselves in their characters. An author surrogate provides a clearer version of this. The character is able to adopt the beliefs, views, and morals of their author along with the characteristics that the author has when employing the narrative method.
Example of Author Surrogate
Jo March is the name of a character. Jo March is commonly believed to represent the author Louisa May Alcott in the famous American novel, Little Women.
10. Repetition Name
This is a standard element in every work of fiction, and it is frequently utilized to support an idea or point of the narrative. This technique makes use of frequently used references to a character or the object. At first, it appears unimportant, however it is later proven to be crucial to the plot of the plot.
A Repetative Example Designation
The green light that is located at the top of the dock that is for Daisy Buchanan is referenced throughout The Great Gatsby to symbolize the gradual death of Gatsby's fantasy.
11. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
As the name suggests, authors employ this technique in order to create characters' projections about the future. The predictions will come true they are based on their perceptions of the event.
Example of Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
If you worried about being in the school late and have constantly thought about it, and you finally had to miss school due your constant anxiety, it may be an auto-fulfilling prognosis.
12. Insecure Narrator
In some ways, first-person narrations could be seen as unreliable because they're significant characters within the story as well as revealing the biases of. An unreliable narrator is able to deceive readers and create suspense for the tale.
A case study of an non-reliable Narrator
Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby is one of the best examples of a non-reliable first-person narration. He deliberately hides important information on major characters, and is untruthful in his conduct.
13. Narrative Hook
The best stories are the ones that will captivate you immediately from the beginning. This is exactly what a narrative hook does. They usually appear in the middle of the story, and they entice the reader to keep reading.
An example of a narrative Hook
One of the most popular opening phrases "It is the truth, widely accepted that someone who's married and is wealthy will not have love of his life," Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is an excellent example of a first chapter hook for a narrative.
14. Allegory
A story that is symbolic, typically religious or spiritual in nature and which examines the facets of what it's really like to exist as a human being.
Illustration of allegory
The tale about The Tortoise and the Hare is told using an idea that you can succeed more by being calm and steady instead of reckless and speedy.
15. Hyperbole
The technique employs extreme exaggeration to create lasting impressions or strong emotions in the minds of readers.
A Hyperbole Example
"I felt helpless. I wasn't sure what to do. I was struggling in my feet. I could have put my head over the rails if they hung so far." -- Older times on the Mississippi by Mark Twain.
16. Sensory Detail
The absence of pictures that support the words The reader is left to their own imagination. Sensory detail and imagery is the most commonly used method to help readers to create visual images of the scene. This is done using descriptive language that touches especially on five senses.
An excellent example of sensory Detail
"Its pendulum swung to and fro in a loud, monotonous squeak that was heard from the bellies of the clock an audio that was clear and loud and deep and exceedingly beautiful." --- The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe.
17. Onomatopoeia
It is frequently used throughout nonfiction and fiction. Onomatopoeia means a word which sounds like what it's referring to.
A case study of Onomatopoeia
"Buzzing Bee" as well as "roaring Lion" are two examples of onomatopoeia.
18. Parody
Parodies typically serve as a way to mock or express amusement with extravagant and outrageous imitations.
Example of Parody
The tale of Gulliver's travels written by Jonathan Swift is framed as an ode to English society.
19. Oxymoron
The saying goes that opposites attract. this is the situation in the case of the term"oxymorons. They are two terms that are deliberately used together to imply that they're opposites.
A good example of the Oxymoron
"Alone with" as well as "known as a secret" are examples of oxymorons.
20. It is the Anthropomorphism of the Human Body or Personification
Personification is used extensively to assign human-like traits in addition to traits that belong for non-human beings. Anthropomorphism is one form of this and is specifically used to refer to animals.
A Personification Example
"Wind whooping" and "heart skipped an beat" are an instance of personification.
21. Pathetic Fallacy
It is the place that the character's character's traits are manifested in the non-human objects around them. It is often used in stories to show an individual's mood during a specific time in the narrative.
An example of the Pathetic Fallacy
The forceful storms and driving rain frequently appear in the fiction genre to convey the sadness or anger of key characters.
22. Multiperspectivity
The story can have multiple viewpoints and narrations. The method is employed to show different character's views throughout the story usually by way of an all-knowing, even omniscient third-person narration.
Multiperspectivity is a good example.
The tale of Les Miserables by Victor Hugo is told from the point of view of an omniscient Narrator, who sees through the eyes of several main characters.
23. Metaphor
The use of metaphors is commonplace in our daily lives, which is one of the literary strategies that is most widely known. The writer uses descriptive language to explain the figure of speech used to describe a scene or character, rather than employing a literal method in their description.
A Metaphoric Illustration
"All the world is playing on a stage. Everyone is an actor." The play is "As As you Like The Play from William Shakespeare.
24. Stories within a Story Frame Story
The narrative could contain several stories or subplots. This method is a great example of this. Frame story writers typically write "mini stories" within the main story to introduce additional characters or develop the plot.
A Frame Story Exemple
25. Plot Twist
In the event of anything that's unanticipated in the story, it's often referred to as the plot twist. This is utilized in all forms of storytelling. The expected conclusion is typically altered during the pivotal point within the story.
Example of Plot Twist
Spoiler alert! Jane Austen's The Sensibility and the Sensibility The fact that Miss Steele is married to Robert Ferris, not Edward, is a turning point for the protagonist Elinor Dashwood, and important twist in the plot comes at the conclusion of the novel.
Now that you have a better knowledge of the technique of narrative It's time to explore these techniques for yourself!
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