Question

In about 250 words describe some of the specific processes by which the material of narrative becomes a story? Think in terms relating to mental, cultural and emotional processes.

Answer 1

Narratives are the way in which we explain certain events by relating it to each other, to others or ourselves. One of the main element of narratives is the audience or or the listener to whom the events are being told. While in a traditional story telling we are concerned about the characters of the stories rather than the audience. Whereas, when we choose narrative to tell a story we select the event, the characters, and the plot of the story in a way that we involve the audience in it, we involve the emotions of audience in it by appealing to it through our narrative.

A story has events, actions, characters, conflicts, and a plot.These are the main elements of a story. When we explain the events, actions, characters, conflicts, and the plot of any personal or social context in a step by step revealing manner, while connecting the events, actions, characters, conflicts and the plot, our narrative has become a story. The important point is the involvement of the audience in this. As all stories have an end, so when a narrative comes to conclusion it becomes a story, but the conclusion of this type of story may not close ended as a typical traditional story, mostly has an open ended conclusion inviting the audience to participate implicitly.

In a narrative story we involve our cognitive abilities by relating the events, actions and characters to the plot in a more meaningful way so that the audience gets involved in the story. We narrate the cultural aspect to be more informative to the audience and are appealing to the emotions of the audience, and let the audience to conclude the story in their perspective, in an open ended manner.