Glossary: Narrative & Storytelling
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Narrative | The structured telling of events or experiences, real or imagined, with emphasis on conveying meaning rather than simply sequence. |
| Story | A sequence of events arranged to convey meaning, causality, or transformation. |
| Plot | The deliberate arrangement of events that define the causal chain of events in a narrative. |
| Exposition | The portion of a narrative that establishes background information and sets up the story's context and initial conditions. |
| Rising Action | Events that build tension and complexity after the inciting incident. |
| Climax | The moment of greatest tension or decisive turning point. |
| Falling Action | Events following the climax that lead toward resolution. |
| Conflict | The central struggle driving the narrative (internal, interpersonal, societal, or existential). |
| Denouement | The resolution where loose ends are tied up. |
| Narrative Arc | The overall trajectory of tension and resolution across a work. |
| Frame Narrative | A story within a story. |
| Arc | The trajectory of change in plot or character over time. |