Narrative Terminology
Overview | Shared Vocabulary | Glossary of Terms | Citations
The language of the storytelling boom is interdisciplinary.
While the storytelling boom is firmly located within communications practice, the study of stories is located within the study of literature. As a rule of thumb:
People who study stories are most interested in the text, and typically use terms from Journalism, Media & Communications studies.
People who produce stories are most interested in the opinions expressed in the texts, and typically use terms from Journalism, Media & Communications studies.
The Shared Vocabulary lists terms that are not used universally — with their equivalent terms or alternate meanings:
Terms used by those who produce stories and the equivalent used by those who study stories.
Terms used by those who study stories and the equivalent used by those who produce stories.
Terms used by both those who produce and study stories — but used differently (indicated in bold).
The Glossary of Terms lists definitions used by others.
“Few words have enjoyed so much use and suffered so much abuse as narrative” — Marie-Laure Ryan
Other References
Online Glossaries
Reference Books
Book Chapters
Living Glossary of Digital Narrative
Published by the Centre for Digital Narrative.
Living Handbook of Narratology
Based on the Handbook of Narratology.
No Lip Service Glossary
Key terms at the intersection of communications and narrative.
The Narrative Directory
Key Terms used across the narrative change ecosystem.
Dictionary of Narratology by Gerald Prince
Routledge Encyclopedia of Narrative Theory Edited by David Herman, Manfred Jahn and Marie-Laure Ryan
The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative by H. Porter Abbott
The Routledge Companion to Narrative Theory Edited by Paul Dawson and Maria Mäkelä
“Introduction” in Narratology: Introduction to the Theory of Narrative by Mieke Bal.
This chapter contains a list of definitions.
“Toward a definition of narrative” by Marie-Laure Ryan in The Cambridge Companion to Narrative.
This chapter compares definitions that others have offered.
“My Story, Your Narrative: Scholarly Terms and Popular Usage” by Maria Mäkelä and Samuli Björninen in The Routledge Companion to Narrative Theory.
This chapter discusses changes in the use of “narrative” and “story”.
An Introduction to Narratology by Monika Fludernik includes a Glossary of Narratological Terms.
Narratology by Genevieve Liveley includes a Glossary of Narratological Terms.
Storylistening by Sarah Dillon and Claire Craig includes a Glossary.