narration
Narration is the act of telling a story or explaining what is happening.
Explanation at your level:
Narration is telling a story. When you tell your friend what you did today, you are doing narration. It is how we share our lives with others.
In movies, the voice you hear explaining the story is called narration. It helps you understand what the characters are thinking or feeling during the film.
Narration is the technique used by authors to tell a story from a specific point of view. It can be in the first person ('I') or the third person ('he' or 'she').
The quality of narration can change how a reader feels about a book. An 'unreliable narrator' is a common literary device where the person telling the story might not be telling the whole truth.
Narration encompasses the structural and stylistic choices made by an author. It is not just the content, but the mode of delivery, which can influence the audience's emotional engagement and interpretation of the narrative arc.
In advanced literary theory, narration is examined as a complex interplay between the author, the narrator, and the narratee. It touches upon semiotics and the construction of reality within a text, where the act of narration itself becomes a subject of critical inquiry.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Narration is the act of telling a story.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- It is often used in film and literature.
- The verb form is 'narrate'.
At its heart, narration is simply the art of storytelling. Whether you are telling a friend about your weekend or listening to an audiobook, you are engaging with narration.
It is the bridge between the events and the audience. Without narration, a movie would just be a series of images, and a book would be a collection of disconnected scenes. It gives everything a structure and a voice.
The word narration comes from the Latin word narrare, which means 'to tell' or 'to make known'. It evolved through Old French before settling into English.
Interestingly, it shares a root with the word gnarus, meaning 'knowing' or 'expert'. This suggests that historically, a narrator was seen as someone who possessed knowledge and was sharing that wisdom with others.
You will often hear narration used in professional settings like film production or literature analysis. Common phrases include 'voice-over narration' or 'unreliable narration'.
It is a formal noun, so you wouldn't typically use it in very casual slang. Instead, use it when describing the structure of a story or the technical aspect of a documentary.
While 'narration' itself isn't an idiom, it is central to phrases like:
- Spin a yarn: To tell a long, often exaggerated story.
- Tell a tale: To recount events.
- Set the scene: To provide the background narration for a story.
- Read between the lines: To find hidden meaning in the narration.
- In the narrator's voice: Referring to a specific perspective.
Narration is an uncountable noun in most contexts. You don't usually say 'a narration' unless you are referring to a specific instance of it.
Pronunciation is /nəˈreɪ.ʃən/ in both British and American English. It rhymes with creation, station, and relation. The stress falls on the second syllable: na-RA-tion.
Fun Fact
It comes from the same root as 'gnostic' (knowledge).
Pronunciation Guide
Standard British pronunciation.
Standard American pronunciation.
Common Errors
- Misplacing stress on the first syllable.
- Pronouncing the 't' too harshly.
- Confusing with 'nation'.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Uncountable Nouns
Narration is uncountable.
Examples by Level
The narration was very clear.
The story-telling was easy to hear.
Noun used as subject.
The movie had great narration.
I like the narration in this book.
His narration made the story exciting.
The documentary uses a lot of narration.
She is good at narration.
The narration explains the history.
We listened to the narration.
The narration was too fast.
The author uses first-person narration.
The narration provides important context.
I found the narration a bit distracting.
The film relies heavily on voice-over narration.
The narration shifts halfway through the book.
His narration style is very unique.
The narration was interrupted by music.
Effective narration keeps the audience engaged.
The novel is famous for its unreliable narration.
The narration creates a sense of mystery.
He provided a detailed narration of the events.
The narration captures the character's inner thoughts.
The documentary's narration was informative.
She mastered the art of oral narration.
The narration flows smoothly from start to finish.
The narration enhances the visual experience.
The experimental narration challenges traditional storytelling.
The narration serves as a meta-commentary on the plot.
The shifting narration creates a complex perspective.
The narration is woven into the dialogue seamlessly.
The author's choice of narration is deliberate.
The narration highlights the protagonist's isolation.
The narration oscillates between past and present.
The narration is both poetic and precise.
The text employs a polyphonic narration structure.
The narration deconstructs the concept of truth.
The narration is characterized by its lyrical quality.
The narration functions as an ontological frame.
The narration subverts the reader's expectations.
The narration is deeply embedded in the cultural context.
The narration provides a subjective lens on history.
The narration is an exercise in narrative irony.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"tell a story"
To recount events.
He loves to tell a story about his travels.
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Easily Confused
Related roots
Narrative is the story, narration is the act.
The narrative was long; the narration was clear.
Sentence Patterns
The narration of [event] was...
The narration of the battle was moving.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
It is an uncountable noun.
Tips
Root Word Trick
Think of 'narrate' as 'to tell'.
Film Context
Use it when talking about voice-overs.
Literary Terms
Essential for English classes.
Uncountable Rule
Never add an 's' to it.
Stress
Stress the second syllable.
Verb vs Noun
Use 'narrate' for the action, 'narration' for the process.
Latin Roots
It means 'to make known'.
Write it out
Practice by narrating your day.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
N-A-R-R-A-T-E: Now All Readers Read About The Events.
Visual Association
An old man sitting by a fire telling a story.
Word Web
Défi
Write a 3-sentence narration of your morning.
Origine du mot
Latin
Original meaning: To tell or make known
Contexte culturel
None
Commonly used in film and literature criticism.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Literature
- first-person narration
- unreliable narration
- stream of consciousness
Conversation Starters
"Do you prefer first-person or third-person narration?"
"Who is your favorite narrator?"
"Does narration improve a movie?"
"What makes a good story?"
"Do you like audiobooks?"
Journal Prompts
Describe your day using narration.
Write about a movie you saw.
Why is storytelling important?
Explain a book you read.
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsNarration is the act, narrative is the story itself.
Teste-toi
The movie has great ___.
Narration fits the context of a movie.
What is narration?
Narration is the act of telling a story.
Narration is usually a countable noun.
It is uncountable.
Word
Signification
One is the person, one is the process.
Standard subject-verb-adjective structure.
Score : /5
Summary
Narration is the voice that guides you through a story.
- Narration is the act of telling a story.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- It is often used in film and literature.
- The verb form is 'narrate'.
Root Word Trick
Think of 'narrate' as 'to tell'.
Film Context
Use it when talking about voice-overs.
Literary Terms
Essential for English classes.
Uncountable Rule
Never add an 's' to it.
