Narratology

Narrative

• Key components of narrative storytelling are the "what" (events) and the "how" (representation).
• The plot and style are part of a narrative, but are not the only components.

Story

• A story is the sequence of events and characters involved.
• The underlying message of the text is not the best definition of a story.

Discourse

• Discourse shapes our perception of a story, including point of view and narrative modes.
• The themes presented contribute to discourse, but are not the sole element.

Plot

• Plot in a narrative is the causal and logical structure connecting events.
• Plot is not the description of a character's thoughts or simply a collection of themes.

Narrator

• The narrator recounts the story but is not necessarily the same as the author.
• A narrator's perspective is not always the same as the author's.

Author

• The author is the real-world individual who writes the text.
• The central conflict of a story, the protagonist, or the imaginary voice are not the author's role in a narrative.

Omniscient Narrator

• An omniscient narrator possesses insight into thoughts and feelings of all characters and events.
• This understanding is from an outside, overview perspective.

Unreliable Narrator

• An unreliable narrator's accounts of events may be inaccurate or misleading; potentially due to lies or omissions.
• The reader is often led to mistrust the narrator's perspective.

Narrative Voice

• The narrative voice is the voice or style that tells the story. This can be overt or covert, and can be shaped by the author's voice, opinions, and perspective.
• The narrative voice is distinct from the characters' dialogues.

Focalisation

• Focalisation in narrative is the perspective from which the story is perceived.
• The perspective is often limited to one character's view.

Homodiegetic Narrator

• A homodiegetic narrator is a character within the story.
• A homodiegetic narrator does not merely observe events but takes part in them in some capacity.

Heterodiegetic Narrator

• A heterodiegetic narrator is not part of the story.
• They narrate from a position outside the story, and often have complete knowledge of all aspects of the narrative.

Autodiegetic Narrator

• An autidiegetic narrator is a narrative voice that is simultaneously the protagonist of the story.
• An autodiegetic narrator is a particular type of homodiegetic narrator.

Interior Monologue

• Interior monologue is a literary device used to present a character's inner thoughts.
• These thoughts are directly presented without interruption from other characters or the narrator.

Psychonarration

• Psychonarration is a technique used to portray a character's thoughts.
• This representation of the character's thoughts can be done through direct speech or narration by the author, maintaining a noticeably distinctive narrative voice.

Free Indirect Discourse

• Free indirect discourse combines elements of narration and interior monologue through a character's voice.
•  The character's thoughts are presented as if spoken in their own words but also narrated by the author.

Story Time

• Story time refers to the sequence of events and the amount of time they take place within the narrative.
• It focuses on the chronological order of events within the narrative itself.

Discourse Time

• Discourse time is the perceived time within the narrative, and not the actual passage of time.
• It can be manipulated to create different effects in the telling or reading of the story.

Prolepsis

• Prolepsis in narrative is when future events are narrated earlier in the timeline.
• It is a narrative technique employed to show future events before they occur, to suggest their effect or to introduce information early on.

Analepsis

• Analepsis in a narrative is a flashback.
• It's a narrative technique to show events from the past that have taken place before the present point in the narrative, either at the same time on a separate character's timeline or later.

Ab Ovo

• Ab ovo refers to a narrative structure.
• The story begins at the very beginning of the narrative's timeline.

In Medias Res

• In medias res refers to beginning the narrative in the middle of the action.
• The beginning of the story is deliberately set in the midst of the story's action.

In Ultimas Res

• In ultimas res is a narrative structure.
• The story begins at the very end of the narrative or the end result and works backward to introduce events and details.

This quiz explores the essential components of narrative storytelling, including plot, story, discourse, and the roles of the narrator and author. Test your understanding of how these elements contribute to the overall narrative structure and reader perception.