Narratology

a literary device in which an attempt at serious or elevated writing or speech is undermined by an incongruous or absurd use of language or imagery

the most significant moment in a story, play, movie, etc. with a high dramatic suspense

The climax of the novel left readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the resolution.

a literary principle that states that every element introduced in a story must be necessary and relevant to the plot or it should be removed

a literary technique that uses humor to interrupt serious or tragic scenes in order to provide a temporary release from emotional tension

a device, tool, or mechanism designed to perform a specific function or task efficiently

He invented a clever contrivance to open stubborn jars.

the last section of a literary or dramatic piece where the plot is concluded and all the matters of the work is explained

The denouement of the play revealed the true motives behind the protagonist’s actions.

a literary device where a sudden and unexpected event or character is introduced to resolve a problem in a story

the act of adding extraneous decorations to something

to bring something to a conclusion or stop it from continuing

Let's end this meeting now and reconvene next week.

a person, place, or thing after whom or which something is named

a plot or character element that is introduced but never fully explained or resolved, leaving the audience with unanswered questions or loose ends

to put something or someone somewhere or in a certain position

She set the book on the table.

an ending to an episode of a series that keeps the audience in suspense

The season finale ended on a thrilling cliffhanger, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats and eagerly anticipating the next episode.

a theory or statement that acts as the foundation of an argument

The entire debate was based on the premise that economic growth benefits all members of society.

to give a specific setting to an event, place, etc.

The cafe decided to theme its weekend brunch events with a vintage vibe, including retro music and decor.

the freedom to deviate from facts, rules or conventional forms practiced by an artist or author in order to gain a desired effect

a book, movie, play, etc. that continues and extends the story of an earlier one

The highly anticipated sequel to the bestselling novel was released to critical acclaim.

unwanted information about how the plot of a movie, game, book, etc. develops or ends that can ruin one's enjoyment

He accidentally gave away a spoiler about the ending of the movie.

(geometry) a part of a circle, which is curved

In a circle, a minor arc is shorter than a major arc.

the plot of a movie, play, novel, etc.

The storyline takes a surprising turn in the final chapters of the book.

the continuous flow of thoughts, feelings, and sensations of a character in a seemingly unstructured and spontaneous manner

a series of events in a novel, movie, etc. that is separate from the main story and is less important but is linked to it

a genre of literature, film, or entertainment that features action-packed adventures of daring swordplay, romance, and excitement, often set in historical or fantastical settings

a brief summary or overview of the plot, characters, and major events of a book, movie, or other narrative work

a common or recurring theme, motif, or device that is used in literature, art, or other forms of creative expression

a brief, impressionistic scene or sketch in literature or film that focuses on a particular moment or character

a condition experienced by writers in which they are unable to produce new written material, despite having the desire or obligation to do so

the tobacco used to form the core of a cigar

a scene in a story line that interrupts the chronological order and takes the narrative back in time

a literary technique in which an introductory narrative serves as a frame for another story or a series of shorter stories

The frame story of the novel serves as a narrative device, framing the main plot with an overarching tale that provides context and perspective.

a literary device that reveals a character's inner thoughts and feelings directly to the reader

to cause the death of a character in a work of fiction, typically for dramatic effects or to advance the plot

The author is planning to kill off one of the main characters in the next book.

a type of storytelling in which events are presented in a sequential and chronological order, following a cause-and-effect pattern and progressing toward a resolution or endpoint

a type of storytelling that does not follow a chronological sequence, instead jumping back and forth in time or presenting events out of order

a type of storytelling that allows the audience or user to actively participate in the story, making decisions that affect the direction or outcome of the narrative

a tedious or boring section of a work of literature or other artistic work, characterized by a lack of action, tension, or interest

a relationship dynamic commonly found in stories, where three characters are romantically involved with each other in a way that creates tension, conflict, and difficult choices

a storytelling device often used in film and literature, referring to an object, goal, or other motivator that drives the plot and characters' actions, but is often irrelevant or unimportant to the overall story itself

to create or embellish a story or a person's life with mythological or heroic elements

to provide a spoken or written description of an event, story, etc.

She stood in front of the class to narrate her experience during the summer vacation.

the way of telling or explaining a story, particularly in a movie, novel, etc.

The first-person narration allowed readers to experience the protagonist's inner thoughts and emotions firsthand.

a story or an account of something especially one that is told in a movie, novel, etc.

The narrative of the film captured the audience's attention from the very beginning.

a plotline or a story element that runs throughout a larger narrative, connecting different events and characters together, often with a unifying theme or motif

a person's speed when walking, moving, or running

The runner maintained a steady pace throughout the marathon, ensuring they did not tire out too quickly.

represent, as of a character on stage

to secretly make a plan to harm someone or do something illegal

The group of conspirators plotted to sabotage the competitor's business by spreading false rumors.

a situation where the plot of a story deviates from its original trajectory

an apparent mistake or inconsistency in the narrative of a book, motion picture, etc.

a sudden and unexpected development in the storyline of a narrative, often at a crucial moment

a narrative element, often used in literature or film, that is employed by the author or screenwriter to advance the story or create a particular effect

a trivial objection or criticism raised over an inconsequential detail

Our only quibble with the report was the choice of font, not its content.

anything that is intended to take people's focus away from what is important

The suspect's alibi seemed like a red herring, as it couldn't be corroborated by any evidence.

a term coined by J.R.R. Tolkien to describe a sudden and unexpected turn of events in a story that results in a positive and joyful outcome

an instance of showing a scene or event that will happen later in a movie, TV episode, etc. interrupting the chronological order of the plot

a literary technique in which a narrative begins in the middle of the story, rather than at the beginning

a literary device used at the beginning of a story to capture the reader's attention and engage their interest

a situation in which one believes that an unfortunate event that has happened to someone is well deserved

The villain's downfall in the story provides a perfect example of poetic justice, as their wicked actions catch up to them.

a hypothetical situation which presents a moral dilemma where a person or authority must decide whether to use extreme measures to prevent a catastrophic event from occurring

a literary technique used to make the familiar seem unfamiliar or strange in order to encourage the reader to see the world in a new way

a narrative technique in which a story is told from multiple perspectives or points of view

(of two ideas, opinions, etc.) to oppose each other

His personal beliefs often conflict with the principles of his profession, leading to internal struggles.

to engage in a conversation or discussion between two or more people

The leaders agreed to dialogue in order to ease tensions between their countries.