narration
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /nərˈeɪʃən/
US
- /nɛˈreɪʃən/
Description
- storytelling
- recounting events
- telling a tale
Narration is how a story is told. It's not just what happens, but who tells it, from whose point of view, and with what kind of voice. Think about sitting around a campfire: it isn't just the events of the ghost story, it's the way the storyteller builds suspense, uses their voice, and makes you feel like you're right there!
Narration can be found in books, movies, video games, and even everyday conversations. A first-person narration ("I went to the store...") feels very personal, while a third-person narration ("She walked to the store...") feels more distant. Good narration pulls you into the story and makes it come alive. Sometimes it is direct, with someone clearly telling the story. Other times, it is shown through dialogue and action.
Narration refers to the act of telling a story, whether in spoken or written form. It's more than just listing events; it includes how those events are presented, including the style, perspective, and voice used by the storyteller.
Think about your favorite novel. The narration isn't simply what happened to the characters, but how the author chose to reveal those happenings. Was it a first-person account ("I saw...") offering an intimate view into one character's thoughts? Or was it third-person limited, following only one character's perspective? Perhaps it was omniscient, where the narrator knows everything about all characters and events.
Narration isn't confined to literature. In film, narration can be a voiceover explaining what's happening or providing context. In video games, narration might come through dialogue, cutscenes, or even environmental storytelling. Even in everyday life, when you recount your day to a friend, how you tell it, the details you emphasize and the tone you use, is all part of the narration.
The effectiveness of narration depends on its purpose and audience. A historical account will prioritize factual accuracy, while a fictional story might focus on creating atmosphere or emotional impact. Skilled narrators can shape time, reveal information carefully, and create compelling characters, all through the art of storytelling.
So, whether it's a grand epic or a simple anecdote, narration is the key to bringing stories to life and connecting with an audience. It's the way we share experiences and make meaning from them.
Examples
- 1
Documentary voiceover
The documentary uses calm narration over old photos and film clips.
- 2
Audiobook
The audiobook's narration was so warm that I finished it in two days.
- 3
Point of view
In the novel, the narration switches from first person to third person halfway through.
Meaning
first-person narration uses "I"; third-person narration uses names, "he," or "she"
- 4
Film storytelling
The film has very little dialogue, so the narration carries much of the story.
- 5
Accident account
Her narration of the accident was clear, but it left out a few important details.
Usage
narration of + event
a formal way to describe someone's account of what happened
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- narrationnoun
Forms
- narrationspluralnoun