Understanding Features of Narrative Convention

Narrative conventions are the agreed-upon structures and components that stories typically have. A narrative is simply a story. It has characters, settings, problems, and solutions, just like any good story should. But what else makes a story a “narrative? ” There are certain features of narratives that are worth noting so that we can better understand how to create them ourselves or identify them when we read them. The narrative convention is the agreed-upon way that stories are told. For a story to be coherent, there have to be some shared rules that everyone agrees on. For example, in almost all stories, time moves forward linearity. This is a narrative convention because it's something that we just accept as to how stories work - we don't question it. Why are these important? Narrative conventions provide stability and understanding in storytelling. They help create expectations for the reader so that they can follow along easily with what's happening. 

People use narrative conventions every day without realizing it. From the way we structure conversations to the way we tell stories, these conventions help us communicate effectively and connect with others. By understanding how they work, we can become better communicators ourselves. While there are many different types of narrative conventions, understanding the features of narrative convention can help you create a more engaging story. In literature, a convention is a recognizable feature within a genre that readers have come to expect. For example, in mystery novels, it is common for there to be red herrings and cliffhangers. By understanding these features of narrative conventions, you can use them to create a more engaging story for your readers. When you’re reading a work of fiction, it’s important to be aware of the various narrative conventions that the author may be using. These conventions can help to create different effects and can often give clues about what’s going on in the story.  

When we read or write a story, there are certain elements that we expect to find. These elements are known as narrative conventions and they help to create a well-rounded story. By understanding these conventions, we can become better readers and writers. Some of the most important narrative conventions include conflict, resolution, characterization, and plot. Without these elements, stories would be dry and uninteresting. Conflict is what drives the action in a story and keeps the reader engaged. Resolution is how the conflict is ultimately resolved (usually with some type of climax). Here are some tips to understand the features of narrative convention.  

1. Pay close attention to the way events are ordered in the story. This will give you clues as to how the author is trying to communicate their message.  

2. Look for recurring themes and symbols. These will help you understand what the author is trying to say on a deeper level.  

3. Pay attention to the dialogue between characters. How they speak to each other can clue you in on relationships, backstory, and plot development   

4) Examine both major and minor plot points  

5) Pay attention to how stories typically end and what this says about the overall message of the story.  

Narrative conventions are the shared understanding that readers and writers have about how a story should be told. These conventions include things like point of view, setting, and character development. Understanding these conventions can help make someone a better reader and writer because they will be able to see how different authors use them in their own stories. They can also learn what kinds of stories they enjoy reading or writing by seeing which conventions are used in those stories.