Narration Techniques to Improve Your Storytelling
Narration Techniques are useful tools for creative writers to help their reader understand the characters and story better, get a clear idea of what is happening, and to create a vision in their head. The more techniques you learn, the more variety you will have for different scenarios and the more creative you will be. Let’s increase that number, shall we? This article is going to explain and teach you 5 Narration Techniques to use in your Storytelling.
One: Chekhov’s Gun
Chekhov’s Gun is a writing technique that makes use of everything mentioned or shown in the story while removing filler unnecessary to the plot. As Anton Chekhov says, “One must never place a rifle on the stage if it isn’t going to go off. It’s wrong to make promises you can’t keep.” Although it is called “Chekhov’s Gun” it does not apply only to guns but, to multiple other items and character dialogue mentioned in the story.
Examples of Chekhov’s Gun I came up with: If pharmaceuticals are mentioned, sooner or later some character will get hurt so they can be used. If a character mentions he has a car, there will be a scene later where he drives. If a portrait is mentioned, it will have some other usage such as having paper with a secret code behind it.
To use Chekhov’s Gun efficiently: Keep these three things in mind: Visibility: How visible in the scene is the thing you want to show off? If you mentioned a volcano, it takes up a lot of space therefore it is quite visible. Relevancy: How important is the thing mentioned in the story, and what is its impact gonna be? Velocity: How fast is it going to be used? Now or in the next act?
Two: Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is a writing technique that gives the readers hints about what is going to happen in the story. It helps create suspense in the reader’s head as the story progresses. A powerful writing tool and my personal favorite of the 5 Narration Techniques.
There are 2 types of foreshadowing: Direct foreshadowing and Indirect foreshadowing. Direct foreshadowing is when what will happen is very obvious, such as a character mentioning his goals. Indirect foreshadowing is when there are little hints but, not quite enough to realize something will happen for sure.
Foreshadowing can be used in multiple ways: Character Dialogues: One character can mention a specific goal they have. For example: A pirate character can mention that his goal is finding treasure, which foreshadows that we may see him getting the treasure. Title of a Chapter: The chapter’s title can be used as a hint as to what is going to happen in the chapter. Changes in Setting: The weather, the place, and the area changing can be used for foreshadowing. Example: Thunderstorms can symbolize that something bad will happen soon.
Three: Cliffhangers
Cliffhangers leave the continuation of the story unresolved at a crucial point such as a huge reveal. Cliffhangers make it so that tension, suspense, and anticipation are built for the next chapter of your writing. That way the reader will come back again to find out what will happen in the story.
Some examples of Cliffhangers include: The main character encounters his deadly enemies and they are going to engage in combat. Some big decision is about to take place regarding something very important to the plot. The main cast characters disagree on a serious matter that could separate their friendship.
I recommend using Cliffhangers to build anticipation at the end of a chapter in a story OR at the end of a book if you plan to continue the series.
Four: Flashbacks
Flashbacks are a return to a character’s past to reveal how their personality was shaped and why they have certain motives. It is a great way to help the readers understand why the character behaves a certain way or to reveal crucial story details. Flashbacks always take the reader to the past and they do not follow the chronological order of the main narrative.
Examples of flashbacks: (1) A character kills another person and we are shown the reason why he did so. (2) A hero is on a journey and feels nostalgic for his home and we are shown his memories. (3) Two characters who are in love miss each other and we are shown what their relationship was like.
I suggest using Flashbacks to help the reader understand how the traits of a character were shaped. Use them only when it does fit the moment, when something happens that could make a character think of their past.
Five: Plot Twist
A Plot Twist is a radical change in the story plot. It makes the audience feel surprised since they probably did not see it happening. Usually, there are few to no clues as to when a plot twist is going to happen, to create a bigger surprise for the reader.
Examples of plot twists: We are shown a character who is expected to become a King, yet someone else claims the throne. The villain is shown to have some family ties with the main character. A supporting character who is close to the main character is working for the enemies of the main character.
Use Plot Twists to surprise the audience with something that they did not expect. Make sure that you use the plot twist AFTER you have established your reader’s expectations of the story. That is the most effective way a plot twist can be used.
Avoid: Plot Twists that are too cliche or easily figured out by the reader. To deal with this you can have some friends read your story before it is published and ask them if they saw the plot twist coming. You can also ask your friends to read the story and end it before the plot twist. Then you can ask them what they expect to happen. This way you know if you have successfully set up their expectations.
Final Thoughts for These 5 Narration Techniques
Narration Techniques are like what sauce is to food but for writing instead. They can make your writing far more interesting to read, and make the reader feel all kinds of emotions. I hope this article was of value to you and it taught you at least one extra narration technique. Good luck with whatever writing you use this knowledge for and I wish you all the best.
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