Phil Druker/Department of English/ University of Idaho

Narration

Narrative arc – beginning, middle, end

Types of narration:

    Straight narration –what happened to the author

a)      Linear (starts at the beginning)

b)      Non-linear (starts at the middle or even the end)

    From G Talese and B Lounsberry, The Literature of Reality, 1996:

        Simultaneous – what different people are doing at the same time

        Sequential – overlapping, forward moving events

        Substitutionary narration – author uses other characters to tell the story

Methods of using narration:

            1.      Continuous narration – one story from beginning to end/narration throughout that focuses on your experience in a place

a.       This can range from very interior (inside the author) to very exterior (about the place and other people in it).

b.      Remember audience (we don’t care about you as much as we want to learn about the place), so use the “interior” carefully to illuminate the place and you.

            2.      Introductory/Concluding narration (sandwich effect)—

a.       begin with a narration to introduce a place,

b.      in the body give details about the place

c.       conclude by returning to the narration

            3.      Short narrations (not necessarily about the author) throughout the article

a.       Historical narration

b.      Other people’s stories

c.       Stories about the place

Points to consider:

        1.      Use the narration to make a point.

        2.      Focus carefully. Don’t tell everything.

        3.      Avoid composites.  Tell the truth.

Pacing:

    The amount of space you give an idea is proportionate to its importance.