Narrative vs. Story

Two central terms that one should be able to differentiate between are narrative and story. 

To identify the difference between the "narrative" and "story", let's first have a look at the basic definitions, from Oxford English Dictionary. 

Narrative, noun:

"An account of a series of events, facts, etc., given in order and with the establishing of connections between them; a narration, a story, an account."

Story, noun:

"A narrative of imaginary or (less commonly) real events composed for the entertainment of the listener or reader; a (short) work of fiction; a tale."

What follows from this is that all stories are narratives, but not all narratives are stories.

The definition of the adjective "narrative" helps us on the way to grasping the difference between the nouns "narrative" and "story". 

Narrative, adjective:

"That narrates or recounts, that tells a story; of or concerned with narration; having the character or form of narration."

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Narratives that are stories.

Narratives that are stories focus on fictional or real events arranged in a coherent sequence, aiming to entertain, inform, or convey a particular message through characters, plots, and settings. 

Read "Defining Story" here.

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In literary theory "concerned with narration" refers to

the structuring of the narrative (for example a story), including the perspective, style, and techniques employed by the narrator to convey the narrative.

Narrative techniques refer to the methods and manners in which a narrative is told, shaping the reader's interpretation and engagement with the text.

Narratives that are not stories.

Narratives that are not stories encompass broader forms of discourse, such as reports, arguments, or descriptions, which may present information, analyze concepts, or provide explanations without necessarily following a chronological sequence or featuring traditional story elements.

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Thus, while both types of narratives involve structuring information for a specific purpose, only story-based narratives rely on the dynamics of plot and character development to engage the audience.

This text was composed by Story Worlds

in tandem with ChatGPT, and reviewed

for accuracy by our team.

Illustration images created in Midjourney.