Structure shapes narrative from "summary" of How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster
The structure of a narrative can be used to unlock its meaning. It can provide clues into how characters develop, how themes play out, and how the story ultimately ends. Shapes and patterns in a narrative can provide a deeper understanding of its content.- Structure is an essential part of literature as it contributes to how the narrative (storyline. unfolds and we fully grasp deeper meanings.
- Knowing the plot arc – rising action, climax and resolution – helps us interpret what the story is about.
- Character introduction, flashbacks and other techniques are all used to convey plot structure – vital for effective narration.
- Structural elements, such as repetition or contrast, can help highlight key themes in a novel.
- The setting or backdrop aids readers in understanding why certain events happen and how characters respond to them.
- Paragraphs and chapters are containers for narrative material that make stories easier to follow for both the reader and writer.
- Authors can use metaphors and symbols as powerful structural tools when crafting fiction or non-fiction works.
- A narrative sequence lays out details so the audience clearly follows each step and appreciates their importance.
- Point of view (POV. – first, second third person – impacts our relating to characters and the world they inhabit.
