Narrative Techniques and Devices

Start with the elements

The mind map “Narrative and device elements” is a useful starting point. It introduces setting as the environment of a story and plot as its sequence of events. From there, the flashcards in “English ST” bring together terms including hook, repetition, narrative voice and perspective shift. Use them to become familiar with the language before moving to a more focused resource.

Explore structure and voice

The notes on English key terminology include first-person narrative alongside exposition, climax and resolution. Read them after the flashcards to see how terms for narrative voice and story structure sit together. The notes on narrative structure also describe frame and embedded stories, including an outside story and a story told within it.

For another route through structure, “Nonlinear Storytelling” is a mind map that explores an interest in complicated narrative structures. It offers a different starting point from the terminology notes.

Use maps to practice

“Flashback” focuses on a technique that refers to a past time. The mind map “narrative and device elements” also includes flashback, along with foreshadowing, plot twist, hook and flash forward. Compare the two maps, then write quiz questions from their branches and use the maps to check your answers. This page has no listed quizzes, but its maps and flashcards can still support self-testing.

Connect the resources

Narrative Techniques and Devices is a section of the Narrative and Story Elements unit in Literature. The resources on this page connect techniques such as flashback with elements such as plot, setting and character. The “Narration” mind map adds named approaches including nested loops, false start and in media res. Choose a map and use it alongside the notes to explore those connections.