narrative
story or account of events
A story or description of things that happen, told or written in order.
a narrative about [something]
- The film follows the narrative of a young musician trying to make it in the city.
- Her novel weaves several narratives into one powerful story.
- The documentary offers a clear narrative of how the crisis began.
- The book’s fragmented narrative can be confusing at first.
- He shared a heartfelt narrative of his childhood during the interview.
- The teacher asked us to write a short narrative.
- This movie has a simple narrative about a family trip.
- The book’s narrative is easy to follow.
- She told a long narrative about her time in Spain.
- I like stories with a strong narrative and clear ending.
dominant explanation or storyline
A common story or idea that many people use to explain what is happening, especially in news and politics.
the narrative that [clause]
- The government is trying to change the narrative around immigration.
- News channels often compete to control the narrative after a major event.
- Her book challenges the traditional narrative of the war.
- Social media has made it easier for ordinary people to shape the narrative.
- The dominant narrative overlooks the experiences of smaller communities.
- Some leaders try to control the narrative in the news.
- The movie gives a new narrative about life in the city.
- Many people believed the narrative that the company was in trouble.
- He wants to change the narrative about young people in his town.
- The article questions the common narrative about the crisis.
storytelling style or structure
The way a story is told, including who tells it, the order of events, and the style of writing.
the narrative of [a book / a film]
- The novel’s shifting narrative keeps the reader slightly off balance.
- In this course, we will analyze the narrative of several classic films.
- The author experiments with a fragmented narrative to reflect the character’s mind.
- Her use of first-person narrative creates a strong sense of intimacy.
- The director chose a nonlinear narrative to reveal key information slowly.
- The book uses a first-person narrative.
- We studied the narrative of this short story in class.
- The film’s narrative is not in time order.
- The writer changes the narrative to show another character’s view.
- Good writers think carefully about narrative and characters.
in story form; story-like
Telling things as a story with events in order, not just as short facts or numbers.
narrative [noun]
- Students were asked to write a narrative essay about a childhood memory.
- The doctor included a short narrative note to explain the test results.
- The report combines narrative sections with charts and tables.
- Narrative data can show how people experience illness in daily life.
- Her research uses both narrative and quantitative methods.
- He prefers narrative books to textbooks.
- We had to write a narrative essay for homework.
- The nurse wrote a brief narrative report about the patient.
- This article is not technical; it is more narrative.
- Narrative texts tell a story with characters and events.
- Base: narrative
- Base: narrative
- Plural: narrative, narratives
change the narrative
1replace the usual storyline
To make people see and talk about a situation in a new way, not the old usual way.
- Her success helped change the narrative about women in tech.
- The coach said the team wanted to change the narrative after last year’s loss.
control the narrative
1dominate how events are explained
To make sure that your version of events is the one most people hear and believe.
- The company rushed to issue a statement to control the narrative after the leak.
- Activists used social media to control the narrative about the protest.
counter-narrative
1story that opposes main story
A different story or explanation that goes against what most people usually hear.
- The film offers a powerful counter-narrative to official reports.
- Community leaders are creating a counter-narrative about life in the neighborhood.
create a narrative
1build a story or explanation
To put events together into a story or explanation that people can follow.
- The ad campaign tries to create a narrative of trust and tradition.
- Journalists helped create a narrative around the young athlete’s rise to fame.
dominant narrative
1most accepted public storyline
The story or explanation that most people know and accept about a situation.
- The dominant narrative ignores the role of smaller countries.
- Her research questions the dominant narrative about the city’s history.
fit the narrative
1match the usual storyline
To match or support the usual story people tell about a situation.
- They left out details that didn’t fit the narrative.
- Her experience does not fit the narrative we usually hear in the media.
narrative voice
1voice that tells the story
The style and personality of the voice that tells the story in a book or film.
- The novel’s narrative voice is funny and informal.
- Students analyzed how the narrative voice changes in the second chapter.
shape the narrative
1influence how a story is told
To slowly influence how people talk about and understand a situation.
- Over time, the film helped shape the narrative about the conflict.
- Interest groups are working hard to shape the narrative before the election.
stick to the narrative
1keep to agreed storyline
To keep saying the same story or explanation and not change it.
- The spokesperson stuck to the narrative during the entire press conference.
- Even when challenged, he tried to stick to the narrative they had planned.
narrative arc
1overall shape of a story
The way a story grows and changes from the start, through the main problem, to the end.
- The documentary has a clear narrative arc from crisis to resolution.
- The series has a strong narrative arc across all ten episodes.
- We analyzed the narrative arc of the novel in class.
- Writers often draw a simple curve to plan the narrative arc of their story.
- A good narrative arc usually has a beginning, a middle, and an end.