Narrative and Storytelling Principles Flashcards

In the three-act structure, where does the 'point of no return' for the protagonist typically occur?

Answer: End of Act 1

The end of Act 1 typically features the protagonist crossing a threshold that commits them fully to the story's central conflict.

A recurring image, object, or phrase used throughout a narrative to reinforce theme is called a:

Answer: Motif

A motif is a recurring element that develops or reinforces thematic meaning through repetition across the narrative.

Which type of irony occurs when the audience knows something a character does not?

Answer: Dramatic irony

Dramatic irony creates tension because readers possess information the character lacks, making the character's actions poignant or suspenseful.

The narrative technique of slowing story time to linger on a single moment in great detail is called:

Answer: Stretch

Stretch expands story time so that narrative time is longer than the actual event, emphasizing its emotional or thematic weight.

When a character's flaw or mistake directly causes the story's tragic outcome, it is called a(n):

Answer: Hamartia

Hamartia, from Aristotle's Poetics, is the fatal flaw or error in judgment that leads the tragic hero toward their downfall.

A character who serves primarily to highlight the protagonist's traits by contrast is called a:

Answer: Foil

A foil character contrasts with the protagonist in personality or values, making the protagonist's defining traits more visible by comparison.

Which narrative distance gives readers the broadest view of the story world, including access to multiple characters' thoughts?

Answer: Third-person omniscient

Third-person omniscient narration allows the narrator to access any character's thoughts and move freely across time and space.