narrative

A story or description of events, usually told in the order they happened.

• She wrote a short narrative.
• His narrative describes the journey across the desert.
• The book contains narratives by several survivors.

How to use it: narrative of/about something (He wrote a narrative of his travels.)

Similar words: story, account, tale

Common phrases: personal narrative, narrative of something, write a narrative

A way of explaining events that encourages people to accept a particular view.

• The party tried to control the narrative.
• Her research challenges the dominant narrative about immigration.
• A different narrative emerged after the documents were published.

How to use it: narrative about something (The report challenges the official narrative about the crisis.)

Common phrases: control the narrative, political narrative, dominant narrative

The way a story is told in a book, film, or other work.

• The narrative moves slowly at first.
• Her unusual narrative keeps readers guessing.
• The film’s narrative shifts between past and present.

Similar words: storytelling, narration

Common phrases: complex narrative, fragmented narrative, narrative of something

Connected with telling a story or describing events.

• The film has a simple narrative structure.
• She uses several narrative techniques in the novel.
• The poem’s narrative voice changes halfway through.

Common phrases: narrative structure, narrative technique, narrative voice