Types Of Narratives and Point of Views

Types of Narratives
1. Linear Narrative
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Events are presented in chronological order.
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Example: A story that begins with a character’s childhood and progresses
through their life.
2. Non-linear Narrative
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Events are told out of chronological order, using flashbacks, flashforwards, or a fragmented timeline.
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Example: Movies like Pulp Fiction.
3. Circular Narrative
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The story ends where it began, creating a full-circle effect.
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Example: A tale starting and ending with a character sitting in the same
location.
4. Episodic Narrative
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The story is told in separate, self-contained episodes or chapters.
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Example: Anthologies or serialized TV shows like Black Mirror.
5. Frame Narrative
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A story within a story, often with a primary narrator who introduces the
inner tale.
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Example: The Canterbury Tales.
6. Quest Narrative
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Focuses on a journey or quest, often involving trials and a clear goal.
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Example: The Lord of the Rings.
7. Stream of Consciousness Narrative
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Focuses on a character's inner thoughts and feelings, often in a flowing,
associative style.
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Example: Ulysses by James Joyce.
8. Multiple Narratives
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Features multiple perspectives or parallel storylines that may intersect.
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Example: Cloud Atlas.
Points of View
1. First-Person Point of View
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Narrator: "I" or "we." The story is told from the perspective of a
character.
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Strengths: Intimate and personal.
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Example: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.
2. Second-Person Point of View
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Narrator: "You." The reader is directly addressed as the protagonist.
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Strengths: Immersive and unique.
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Example: Choose Your Own Adventure series.
3. Third-Person Limited Point of View
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Narrator: "He," "she," or "they," focusing on the thoughts and feelings of
one character.
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Strengths: Offers insight into one character while maintaining some
distance.
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Example: Harry Potter series.
4. Third-Person Omniscient Point of View
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Narrator: "He," "she," or "they," with insight into the thoughts and
feelings of multiple characters.
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Strengths: Expansive and all-knowing.
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Example: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.
5. Third-Person Objective Point of View
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Narrator: Neutral observer with no access to characters' thoughts or
feelings, only actions and dialogue.
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Strengths: Impartial and allows readers to interpret events.
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Example: Plays or screenplays often adopt this style.
6. Unreliable Narrator
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Can be first-person or third-person but is not trustworthy due to bias,
ignorance, or deception.
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Strengths: Adds layers of complexity and ambiguity.
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Example: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.
7. Alternating Points of View
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Shifts between different narrators or perspectives.
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Strengths: Provides a broader understanding of the story.
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Example: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin.