A Narrative Technique guidewith 25 examples with explanations that help you become a better reader and Writer.
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There's no set formula to the creation of a bestseller novel or an article that is worthy of an award like a Pulitzer. Each piece of writing is as distinct and different like the authors of the piece, but they all share the same thread employing the narrative style.
In this post will discuss the best way to define narrative technique, what's it "narrative technique" that you can use for writing non-fiction, as well as fiction and how to start using certain concepts that result from these methods into your work.
Learn how to improve your writing skills by following these tips taken from When I Stay writer Gayle Forman.
Quick Links
- What is Narrative Technique?
- What is Narrative Structure?
- 25 Narrative Techniques including Exemples
What is Narrative Technique?
The various elements of storytelling methods are divided into six distinct categories that are different from one another:
- Character
- Perspective
- Plot
- Setting
- Style
- Theme
What is Narrative Structure?
There is a temptation to assume that narrative structure as well as narrative technique are similar because they're similar, but they're far from. You should think of your narrative as the general design of the home and the narrative technique as the specific bricks that are used to construct the house.
The basic concept behind structure is the story you intend to tell as well as all the components you'll have to use in the creation of the material. It's about how the various elements of them are interconnected for a complete picture.
There are four different styles of narratives. The most popular is linear. The narrative unfolds from beginning to conclusion in chronological sequence. When you examine certain films and novels it will be apparent that the most well-known linear framework comprise five steps, commonly referred to as the Freytag's Pyramid:
- Beginning/Characteristics Introduction
- Problem/Conflict
- Plot Climax
- Resolution
- End/Character Endes
If we choose to define how we tell stories, it is referring to the diverse collection of elements that we use within this framework to aid in getting to the point of no return and help make the experiences of the reader interesting or challenging.
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25 Narrative Techniques and Examples
1. Setting
Example of setting
The houses featured within Wuthering Heightsby Emily Bronte are often described as miserable and cold spaces, which reflect the characters who live within the homes.
2. Foreshadowing
It is a reference to the fact that writers utilize foreshadowing in order to hint at future events or consequences which are expected to occur later on in the writing, using the use of objects or individuals from the narrative.
A case study of foreshadowing
"My life's better settled by the hatred of their adversaries than being proroguedand seeking love for your heart." Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare.
3. Cliffhanger
The phrase "cliffhanger" refers to the moment when the story is not finished and in limbo. It's the most common way of creating stories for the television and film industry. the creators want their viewers to stay back for next episode or follow-up, to find out if 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 in a newspaper that was weekly and chapters were deliberately unfinished for readers to be lured to purchase the paper within the next week.
4. Flash Forward, Flash Back or Flash Forward or Flash Forward or
The reader is taken out of the chronological narrative flashback, or flash forward shows events that occurred in the past or in the future, which affects individuals within the chronological timeline.
A Flash Forward example
A Christmas Carol composed by Charles Dickens is one of the most well-known instances of flash forward within the world of classic literature.
5. Red Herring
They are commonplace to encounter these in mystery and crime writing particularly, since authors redirect the readers' attention to a character who isn't some aspect of their narrative to distract their readers away from the actual story.
A good example of Red Herring
6. Epiphany
An abrupt realization by the protagonist can have an impact on the plot. One of the reasons is due to a situation the character is confronted with and an opportunity to respond or an alternative viewpoint is presented.
One illustration 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 story is told through the eyes of one of the characters. In most cases, it will be the character that is the principal character. However, that may not be the case at all times.
A First-Person Narrator Experiment
The story of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is told through Jane's eyes. Jane 10 years later, she is still astonished by the events that inspired the book.
8. The background story
An Example of a Backstory
The way that through Frankenstein the story is told. It contains allusions to events from the story of the adventures of Frankenstein. Frankenstein and the monster. The story's events alter the understanding of the audience of these characters.
9. Author Surrogate
The majority of writers include a portion of themselves in their characters. A surrogate author provides an easier explanation of this. A character has the ability to accept the opinions, beliefs and values of the author along with the characteristics of the writer when using the narrative approach.
A good example of Author Surrogate
Jo March is the name of a character. Jo March is commonly believed to be the voice of the writer Louisa May Alcott in the famous American novel, Little Women.
10. Repetition Name
This is a standard element found in any fiction work It's often used to illustrate the idea or the point of the story. This method makes use of frequently used reference to characters or object. Initially, this seems unimportant, however it is later discovered to be vital for the story plot.
A Repetative Example of Designation
The green light situated at the highest point of the dock which is a tribute to Daisy Buchanan is referenced throughout The Great Gatsby to symbolize the gradual death of Gatsby's fantasy.
11. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Like the title suggests, authors employ this technique in order to create character's predictions of the future. The predictions will come true and are based on the characters' impressions of what they see.
A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Example
If you worried about being at school on time and thought you'd never get there, it, and you finally needed to leave school to deal with your constant anxiety It could be an auto-fulfilling prognosis.
12. Insecure Narrator
In some ways First-person narrations can be seen as unreliable since they are significant characters in the story and also showing the prejudices of. A narrator who is unreliable can be adept at deceiving the reader and make suspenseful the narrative.
A case study of an unreliable Narrator
Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby is one among the finest examples of an unreliable first-person narration. Carraway deliberately conceals vital information about major characters and is not honest when it comes to his actions.
13. Narrative Hook
The best stories are the ones that will captivate you instantly from the very beginning. This is precisely what a hook in a story does. They typically appear in the middle of the story to encourage the reader to continue reading.
A good example of a story Hook
The most well-known opening lines is "It is the fact, widely accepted that someone who's married and is wealthy will not be loved by the love of his own," Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is an excellent illustration of the perfect beginning chapter hook that can be used in a narrative.
14. Allegory
The story is often symbolic, usually spiritual or religious in character and that explores the various aspects of what it's for an individual human being.
Illustration of allegory
The tale about The Tortoise and the Hare is told through the notion that you could be more successful if you are stable and calm instead of reckless and speedy.
15. Hyperbole
The technique employs extreme exaggeration to create lasting impressions or strong emotions in the minds of the readers.
Hyperbole Examples
"I felt helpless. I didn't know what I should do. I was struggling in my feet. I could have put my head on the rails, if they were hanging for a long time." -- Older days on the Mississippi by Mark Twain.
16. Sensory Detail
There are no pictures to are in support of the written text The reader will be left to their own imagination. Sensory detail and imagery are the most popular method to assist readers in creating visual images of the scene. This is done through descriptive language which touches particularly on the five senses.
An excellent illustration of sensory Detail
"Its pendulum moved between the two in a loudand monotonous squeak that was heard from the bellies of the clock. The clock produced an audio that was clear and intense and loud, and incredibly gorgeous." -- The Masque of the Red Death written by Edgar Allan Poe.
17. Onomatopoeia
It's often utilized in both fiction and nonfiction. Onomatopoeia means a word which sounds like what it's referring to.
A study on Onomatopoeia
"Buzzing Bee" as well as "roaring Lion" are just two instances of onomatopoeia.
18. Parody
Parodies are typically an excuse to mock others or entertain with outrageous and bizarre imitations.
Example of Parody
The tale of Gulliver's travels composed by Jonathan Swift is framed as an tribute towards English society.
19. Oxymoron
The saying goes that opposites attract. this is the situation in the case of the term"oxymorons. Two terms intentionally used in conjunction in order to convey that they're both opposing.
An excellent example of the Oxymoron
"Alone with" as well as "known as an undiscovered" are some examples of oxymorons.
20. It's the Anthropomorphism of human body or personification. Human Body or Personification
Personification is a popular method to identify human characteristics and traits which belong to non-human creatures. Anthropomorphism is a type of this, and it 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 other non-human things around them. It is often utilized in narratives to illustrate an individual's mood at a particular point in the story.
A classic instance of the Pathetic Fallacy
Storms that are violent and pounding rain are often featured in the genre of fiction to express the sorrow or anger of the main characters.
22. Multiperspectivity
The story can have multiple perspectives and narrations. It is made use of to illustrate different viewpoints of the characters through the narrative, usually through the all-knowing, and even an omniscient third-person narration.
Multiperspectivity is an excellent example.
The story of Les Miserables by Victor Hugo is told from the perspective of an omniscient Narrator who can see via the lens of several principal characters.
23. Metaphor
The use of metaphors is all-too commonplace in everyday life and is among the literary methods that is the most well-known. The author employs descriptive language to explain the meaning of speech they use to describe a situation or characterinstead of employing a literal method in their description.
A Metaphoric Illustration
"All the world is playing on a stage. Everyone is an actor." The Shakespeare play is "As As You Like The Play from William Shakespeare.
24. Stories inside an Story Frame Story
The story could include a variety of storylines or subplots. This method is a great example of this. Frame story writers usually write "mini stories" in the context of the main story for the purpose of introducing characters, or develop the plot.
An Exemple of a Frame Story
25. Plot Twist
If there's something unexpected in the story It's usually referred to as the plot twist. This is utilized across all kinds of storytelling. It is common for the expected ending to be altered during the pivotal point in the narrative.
A Plot Twist Example
Warning! Jane Austen's The Sensibility and The Sensibility The fact that Miss Steele is married to Robert Ferris, not Edward it is an important turning point for the main character Elinor Dashwood. An important twist in the plot comes at the conclusion of the book.
Once you've got gained a greater understanding of the art of narrative Now is the time to investigate these methods for yourself!
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