Narrative techniques are methods used by writers to give an artistic and emotional effect to a story. These techniques help writers craft engaging stories by determining effective strategies to communicate information to readers. Narrative techniques are also known as literary devices. Some common narrative techniques include:

• Plot: The plot is the organized pattern in which the writer narrates the story. Writers arent required to tell the story chronologically or in a sequential manner. Common techniques relevant to plot include backstory, flashback, flash-forward, and foreshadowing.

• Character: Characters are understood by the readers by what they do and say, and so narrative techniques surrounding characters are related to the plot, point of view, and style. Most narratives or stories depend on one or more characters. Common techniques relevant to characters include character development, dialogue, and character motivation.

• Point of View: The point of view presents the perspective from which a writer tells the story. The types of narrative point of view vary from first-person limited, where a single character who refers to himself/herself as “I,” tells the story without presenting most of the information, to third-person omniscient, where the narrator tells the story about the characters and knows every detail about them.

• Style: Style is the kind of language a writer uses to tell a story, and it contains several elements. The narrative is determined by the writer’s word choice. The narrative’s structure refers to its sentence structures, usually presented in a specific order to create a specific effect. Figurative language is a common element in narrative writing. Common techniques relevant to style include diction, imagery, and sensory language.

These techniques provide deeper meaning for the reader and help the reader use imagination to visualize situations. By mastering these techniques, writers can create more engaging and effective stories.