Authorial Methods in Literature

What is an authorial method

A narrative technique is any of several specific methods the creator of a narrative uses to convey what they want. In other words, a strategy used in the making of a narrative to relay information to the audience and, particularly, to "develop" the narrative, usually in order to make it more complete, complicated, or interesting. Literary techniques are distinguished from literary elements, which exist inherently in works of writing.

Setting

The setting is both the time and geographic location within a narrative or within a work of fiction. A literary element, the setting initiates the main backdrop and mood of a story, often referred to as the story world.

Plot- Backstory

Story that precedes events in the story being told—past events or background that add meaning to current circumstances

Plot- Cliffhanger

The narrative ends unresolved, to draw the audience back to a future episode for the resolution.

Plot- Deus ex machina

Deus ex machina is a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story is suddenly and abruptly resolved by an unexpected and seemingly unlikely occurrence, typically to the point of being perceived as a contrived plot point.Its function can be to resolve an otherwise unsolvable plot situation, to surprise the audience, to bring the tale to a happy ending, or act as a comedic device.

Plot- Eucatastrophe

A climactic event through which the protagonist appears to be facing a catastrophic change. However, this change does not materialise and the protagonist finds himself as the benefactor of such a climactic event; contrast peripety/peripateia.

Plot- Flashback/ analeptic reference

General term for altering time sequences, taking characters back to the beginning of the tale, for instance.

Plot- Flash forward/prolepsis

A scene that temporarily jumps the narrative forward in time. Flash forwards often represent events expected, projected, or imagined to occur in the future. They may also reveal significant parts of the story that have not yet occurred, but soon will in greater detail.

Plot- Foreshadowing

Implicit yet intentional efforts of an author to suggest events which have yet to take place in the process of narration.

Plot- Frame story/ framing device

A main story that hatches a linking series of shorter stories.

Plot- Framing device

A single action, scene, event, setting, or any element of significance at the beginning and end of a work. The use of framing devices allows frame stories to exist.

Plot- MacGuffin

A plot device coined by Alfred Hitchcock referring to some goal, desired object, or other motivator that the protagonist pursues, often with little or no narrative explanation as to why it is considered so important.

Plot- In Media Res

Beginning the story in the middle of a sequence of events. A specific form of narrative hook.

Plot- Narrative hook

Story opening that "hooks" readers' attention so they will keep reading

Plot- Plot twist

Unexpected change ("twist") in the direction or expected outcome of the plot. See also twist ending.

Plot- Poetic justice

Virtue ultimately rewarded, or vice punished, by an ironic twist of fate related to the character's own conduct.

Plot- Predestination paradox

Time travel paradox where a time traveller is caught in a loop of events that "predestines" them to travel back in time

Plot- Quibble

Plot device based on an argument that an agreement's intended meaning holds no legal value, and that only the exact, literal words agreed on apply.

Plot- Red herring

Diverting attention away from an item of significance.

Plot- Self-fulfilling prophecy

Prediction that, by being made, makes itself come true.

Plot- Story within a story (Hypodiegesis)

(Hypodiegesis) A story told within another story. See also frame story.

Plot- Ticking clock scenario

Plot- Chekhov's gun

Plot- Unreliable narrator