an overarching narrative

USAGE SUMMARY

"an overarching narrative" is correct and commonly used in written English.
This phrase refers to a dominant or overarching theme or storyline in a narrative or story. Example: The novel's success can be attributed to its well-developed characters, vibrant settings, and its overarching narrative about the struggles of the human spirit.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Viewers and critics have deemed the film, which lacks an overarching narrative, both bewildering and impressive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They only make sense as part of an overarching narrative (which can also be called bias).

The Guardian - Books

There is an overarching narrative, which has a reasoned arc and a classic moral.

The New York Times - Books

Fol Chen Fol Chen's music — choppy, wavering low-fi songs with math-rock underpinnings — is attached to an overarching narrative.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Atkins has conceived an overarching narrative that will be acted out by a revolving troupe of 40 actors.

The New York Times

I liked the conceit of that, and I tried for something similar, with an overarching narrative that ties everything together.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Here's how.

Huffington Post

One of the strengths of the president's campaign in 2008 was in developing a narrative about him — an overarching story about hope.

The New York Times

The novel that ensues has a vast overarching narrative and a seething mass of episodes centred on some 600 characters – the population of a small town – and the up-and-down chronicle of two great clans.

The Guardian - Books

It lacks, however, a vivid, overarching narrative that would have maintained its value once the science moves on.

The New York Times - Books

Most Punchdrunk shows have a single overarching narrative for audiences to follow: in "Sleep No More," for instance, the plot is lifted from "Macbeth," while music and mood elements are from Hitchcock films.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an overarching narrative" to provide context and meaning to otherwise disparate events or details, creating a cohesive and understandable picture for the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "an overarching narrative" when the narrative only covers a limited scope. Ensure the narrative is genuinely comprehensive and not merely a partial or selective interpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overarching narrative" functions as a noun phrase, where "overarching" modifies the noun "narrative". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It acts as a descriptive element, indicating a comprehensive or dominant storyline, as seen in examples regarding films, books, and political strategies.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overarching narrative" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase that describes a comprehensive or dominant storyline. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across varied contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as wiki entries, it is used to provide a cohesive understanding of complex topics. When using the phrase, ensure the narrative is truly comprehensive to avoid misrepresentation. Consider alternative phrases like "a unifying theme" or "a central storyline" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a unifying theme

Emphasizes the theme that brings different elements together.

a central storyline

Focuses on the main story that connects various plot points.

a comprehensive framework

Highlights the structured approach of the narrative.

a dominant theme

Stresses the most prominent theme within the narrative.

a cohesive storyline

Underscores how well the different parts of the story fit together.

a unifying narrative thread

Emphasizes the narrative aspect that binds everything together.

a master narrative

Implies a dominant and widely accepted narrative.

a grand narrative

Suggests a large-scale, encompassing story.

a metanarrative

Refers to a narrative about narratives, a higher-level story.

a narrative framework

Highlights the structure that the narrative provides.

FAQs

How to use "an overarching narrative" in a sentence?

You can use "an overarching narrative" to describe the main theme or storyline that connects various elements of a story, argument, or situation. For instance, "The film lacks "an overarching narrative", making it feel disjointed."

What can I say instead of "an overarching narrative"?

You can use alternatives like "a unifying theme", "a central storyline", or "a comprehensive framework" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "an overarching narrative" or "a overarching narrative"?

"An overarching narrative" is correct. The indefinite article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound, and "overarching" starts with a vowel sound.

What is the difference between "an overarching narrative" and "a metanarrative"?

"An overarching narrative" refers to a comprehensive story that encompasses various elements. "A metanarrative", on the other hand, is a narrative about narratives, providing a higher-level perspective on storytelling itself.