Narrative Structure Terms

When the narrative reveals

important information about

a character’s background,

which happened before the

narrative began.

When the narrative ends on a

dramatic event. This doesn’t

mean the end of the narrative

– just that it has paused. It is a

device commonly used at the

end of chapters to ensure the

reader continues.

When events in the future are

hinted at

When an episode from earlier

in the story or before the story

began is recounted. This could

be to explain a character’s

backstory, or it could show us

an important plot point.

When the narrative fast

forwards to a point in the

future.

When a story has another

story around it, or ‘framing’ it.

When a story starts in the

middle – often at the point

of climax. The narrative may

then return to the beginning

of the story using flashback.

A false clue which has the

reader believing one thing,

when in fact another is true

When something completely

unexpected and different

to what has been hinted at,

happens within a story.