broken narrative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broken narrative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a story or account that is disjointed, fragmented, or lacks coherence. Example: "The film's broken narrative made it difficult for the audience to follow the plot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Broken narrative lines jumble and jostle.

The Guardian

Or, rather, it crafts a wreath of stories around the event; some non-Polish viewers have found the result hard to follow, but the broken narrative feels appropriate.

The New Yorker

Wetherell's descriptions of the natural world, and Brown's interactions with his wife and children, come across with gentle stillness, welcome respites from the pixilated dance of this broken narrative.

The New York Times - Books

The fake paintings, installed in moody half-light, offer a counterpoint to the broken narrative of the non-sequentially timed video playing on the monitors in the endless loop of a mystery story that engages -- and, yes, amuses -- the viewer's mind in its repetitive rhythms and discontinuities.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Sometimes the bizarre premises, the coyness and the broken narratives work together to create a uniquely Dorstian experience.

The New York Times - Books

The projections consist of large faces (like the one at left) speaking broken narratives, both poetry written by Mr. Oursler for the project and texts from the history of electronic technology.

The New York Times

As a novel, it broke narrative continuity into a tripartite structure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rather it breaks narratives into a series of autonomous scenes that communicate primarily through a combination of charged psychological states expressed by his figures and the visual rigor of contrasting forms, colors, patterns and degrees of spatial depth.

The New York Times - Arts

Goodness has broken the narrative.

The New York Times - Books

Broken into narrative chunks, sometimes inclusive of different points of view, and following no consistent chronology, Moon Tiger captures the disorderly aspects of a kaleidoscope but also recognizes that a kaleidoscope continually generates new patterns and expressions of order.

Johns Hopkins University

The film tackles these points with brilliant fourth wall-breaking, narrative side-stepping asides, that I won't ruin for you but perfectly skewer our apathy.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In creative writing, intentionally employ a "broken narrative" to create a sense of disorientation or reflect a character's fractured mental state.

Common error

Don't assume that a "broken narrative" simply means the story is unfinished. It refers to a deliberate technique where the storytelling is fragmented, not just lacking an ending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broken narrative" functions as a descriptor, modifying a noun to indicate that the narrative is not presented in a linear or coherent manner. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is usable in written English and the examples show its use in describing films, books, and other forms of storytelling.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "broken narrative" aptly describes a story that deviates from conventional linear storytelling, often employing fragmentation or disruption for artistic or thematic purposes. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable, albeit relatively rare. While its roots are in literature and film criticism, "broken narrative" finds relevance across various fields. When employing this term, ensure you're highlighting deliberate fragmentation rather than mere incompleteness, and feel free to consider alternatives like "fragmented narrative" or "disjointed narrative" to enhance precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragmented narrative

Emphasizes the incomplete or disjointed nature of the narrative.

disjointed narrative

Highlights the lack of coherence and connection between parts of the narrative.

non-linear narrative

Focuses on the deviation from a traditional chronological order.

fractured storytelling

Similar to "broken narrative" but emphasizes the act of storytelling itself being damaged.

interrupted narrative

Highlights the occurrence of breaks or pauses in the narrative flow.

shattered narrative

Emphasizes a more extreme form of disruption or damage to the narrative.

truncated narrative

Suggests the narrative is cut short or incomplete.

incomplete narrative

Directly states the narrative lacks essential parts.

dismembered narrative

Similar to shattered, but focuses on separation of story elements.

erratic narrative

Suggests unpredictability and inconsistency in the narrative flow.

FAQs

How can I use "broken narrative" in a sentence?

You can use "broken narrative" to describe a story that is fragmented, disjointed, or presented out of chronological order. For example: "The film's "broken narrative" reflects the protagonist's confused state of mind".

What is the difference between "broken narrative" and "non-linear narrative"?

While both involve deviations from traditional storytelling, a "broken narrative" often implies a more severe fragmentation or disruption, potentially affecting coherence, whereas a "non-linear narrative" may simply present events out of order for artistic effect.

What are some alternative phrases for "broken narrative"?

Alternatives include "fragmented narrative", "disjointed narrative", or "shattered narrative", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what context is it appropriate to use the term "broken narrative"?

It's appropriate to use "broken narrative" when discussing literature, film, or other forms of storytelling that deliberately disrupt the traditional flow of events to create a specific effect or to reflect a particular theme or character experience.