Terminology
Language relating to narrative is borrowed — and meanings stretched — as interest extends beyond the study of narrative. The below definitions are mine only; these are the definitions I have found to be most useful, particularly in comparing the study and practice of narrative across different disciplines. Comparisons are made by my own observations.
I’m not suggesting anyone else use these definitions; I’ve found them to be most useful.
Other resources include The Living Handbook of Narratology + The Living Glossary of Digital Narrative.
Language relating to narrative is borrowed — and meanings stretched — as interest extends beyond the study of narrative. The below definitions are mine only; these are the definitions I have found to be most useful, particularly in comparing the study and practice of narrative across different disciplines. Comparisons are made by my own observations.
I’m not suggesting anyone else use these definitions; I’ve found them to be most useful.
Other resources include The Living Handbook of Narratology + The Living Glossary of Digital Narrative.
Story
Storytelling
My definition
Narrative
Narrative Power
The process of organizing information into a format that is more useful.
Public opinion.
The product of narrative; a collection of information in a sequence and structure that makes the information more useful.
The act of producing a story.
Shared language, different meanings
Communications: messaging or belief.
Social Change: the general belief of the public (e.g. 2025 Narrative Predictions.)
Narrative Theory: a text in the form of a narrative.
Media: story = published article
Narrative
The story promoted on behalf of an organization.
Communications
Media Narrative
The story being told by the majority of the media (news outlets etc.)
Public Relations
Narrative
Narrative Change
Narrative Landscape
Narrative Theory
Story
“Narratives are systems of stories that shape our attitudes and behaviors and help us make meaning of the world around us.” - The Math Narrative Project
“Narratives are the ideas and themes that permeate collections of stories. The ideas can appear in any structure, and are articulated and refined repeatedly in a variety of stories and messages.” - Narrative Initiative
“Narrative change is an effort to counter, modify, or replace existing narratives by creating and deploying new or different narratives.” - The Math Narrative Project
“A narrative landscape is a map of the harmful and helpful narratives that affect how people think about, talk about, and make decisions about your cause.” - Narrative Initiative
“Narrative theory starts from the assumption that narrative is a basic human strategy for coming to terms with fundamental elements of our experience, such as time, process, and change, and it proceeds from this assumption to study the distinctive nature of narrative and its various structures, elements, uses, and effects.” - Project Narrative.
“A story describes an event or sequence of events that include characters, conflict, and imagery. It has a beginning, middle and end.” - Narrative Initiative