Narratology

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Questions and Answers

What are the two key components involved in narrative as a form of storytelling?

The characters and the setting

The plot and the style

The what (events) and the how (representation) (correct)

The beginning and the end

What best describes the function of plot in a narrative?

The setting and background information

A collection of themes explored in the text

A detailed description of a character's thoughts

The causal and logical structure that connects events (correct)

Which statement is true about the narrator in a story?

The narrator exclusively conveys dialogue from the characters.

The narrator recounts the story but is not necessarily the same as the author. (correct)

The narrator's perspective is always the same as the author's.

The narrator must be a character in the story.

What role does the author play in relation to a narrative?

The real-world person who writes the text. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes an omniscient narrator in a narrative?

They provide insight into the thoughts and feelings of all characters and events from an outside perspective. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic defines an unreliable narrator?

The reader is led to distrust their version of events due to lies or omissions. Signup and view all the answers

The term "narrative voice" refers to:

The voice that tells the story and mediates the narrative, which can be overt or covert. Signup and view all the answers

What does focalisation in a narrative mean?

The perspective through which the story is perceived, often limited to one character's view. Signup and view all the answers

Which description accurately defines a homodiegetic narrator?

A narrator who is also a character in the story. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic of a heterodiegetic narrator?

They narrate from a position outside the story and know everything about it. Signup and view all the answers

How is an autodiegetic narrator defined?

A homodiegetic narrator who is also the protagonist of the narrative. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an interior monologue?

A character's thoughts presented as direct speech without interruption. Signup and view all the answers

In psychonarration, how are a character's thoughts presented?

By a narrator who reports on the character's thoughts, maintaining a noticeable narrative voice. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes free indirect discourse?

A blend of psychonarration and interior monologue, allowing the character's thoughts to be expressed in a direct way while remaining in the third person. Signup and view all the answers

What does "story time" refer to in a narrative?

The sequence of events and length of time passing in the story. Signup and view all the answers

Discourse time refers to:

The length of time taken up by telling or reading the story. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of prolepsis in a narrative context?

A future event narrated at a point earlier than its chronological placement (flashforward). Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes analepsis?

Flashback; narrating a past event at a point later than its chronological placement. Signup and view all the answers

In narrative structure, what does "ab ovo" refer to?

Providing all necessary background information from the very beginning. Signup and view all the answers

What does "in medias res" signify in a narrative?

Beginning the narrative in the middle of the action without preamble. Signup and view all the answers

How is the term "in ultimas res" applied in storytelling?

The story begins with its conclusion and presents events in reverse order, focusing on 'how' rather than 'what.' Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

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Description

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.