defined narrative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defined narrative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a narrative that has been clearly outlined or established, often in the context of storytelling or analysis. Example: "The defined narrative of the novel allows readers to understand the protagonist's journey more clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

You can still have a clearly defined narrative with beginning and end but don't worry for too long about character, story or the need to explain everything.

The Guardian

The game itself upholds this through its ambiguity; by avoiding words and a clearly defined narrative, people are able to project their own experiences with illness and pain onto it.

The Guardian - Tech

"Open City," heard on Friday, is built of discrete musical sections that expanded from lines and riffs and stacked rhythms; they were repetitive, mostly in the good way, and additive, and often didn't have a strictly defined narrative shape beyond a gradual crescendo.

The New York Times - Arts

I've wanted to say something about the movie for a little while, and what Matt wrote there seems, to me, just about right: Every shot in "Let Me In" has a clearly defined narrative purpose and is gorgeous, too… [Reeves] pushes right up to the edge of vainglorious cleverness, but never succumbs.… Both the flourishes and fleeting grace notes amplify emotions that were present in the script.

The New Yorker

In New York, Almond took heat in reviews that said although the performances were very strong the show lacked a clearly defined narrative.

Los Angeles Times

"Smokey Joe's" doesn't try to fit its 39 songs into a plot, or dilute them with dialogue, and to my surprise I didn't wish for a more defined narrative structure.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Whereas the book and film of necessity have defined narratives, Bald noted, the website will accommodate a multiplicity of voices, so that even contradictory accounts can be heard.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For these purposes, we draw on the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) (Shanahan et al., 2017) to define narratives as having a setting, characters, plot, and moral.

Nature

This "action" defined the narrative of camp's day of action.

The Guardian

It defined the narrative that said when I opened this strange new tome I'd meet characters from across the universe.

TechCrunch

She noted, in particular, the spate of sexual harassment allegations against political reporter Mark Halperin ― a man whose book, Game Change, largely defined the narrative of the 2008 election.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “defined narrative” to describe a specific sequence of events and character developments that create the overall plot of the narrative.

Common error

While "defined narrative" is appropriate in formal writing, be careful not to use it excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler terms like "clear story" or "structured plot" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defined narrative" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. The adjective 'defined' specifies that the narrative possesses a clear and established structure. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is correct and appears in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defined narrative" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a story or account with a clear and well-established structure. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and encyclopedic writing. While not exceedingly common, it effectively highlights intentional design and pre-existing frameworks. Remember to use it judiciously in informal settings, opting for simpler terms when appropriate. Alternatives include "clear storyline" or "structured narrative".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear storyline

This alternative emphasizes the clarity of the story's sequence of events.

structured narrative

This highlights the organized and planned nature of the narrative.

well-defined plot

Focuses on the clarity and precision of the plot events.

established narrative

This suggests the narrative is already recognized or agreed upon.

coherent narrative

Highlights the logical and consistent flow of the story.

precise narrative

Emphasizes the accuracy and exactness of the narrative.

articulated narrative

This alternative highlights the expression of the narrative.

fixed narrative

This emphasizes that the narrative is set and unchangeable.

delineated narrative

This alternative focuses on the outlining or sketching out the narrative.

specified narrative

This highlights that the narrative has been stated clearly.

FAQs

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

You can use "defined narrative" to describe stories or accounts that have a clear structure. For example, "The film's "defined narrative" made it easy to follow the protagonist's journey."

What are some alternatives to "defined narrative"?

Alternatives include "clear storyline", "structured narrative", or "well-defined plot". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "defined narrative" or "well-defined narrative"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "well-defined narrative" emphasizes a higher degree of clarity and structure. "Defined narrative" is generally sufficient when the clarity is already implied.

What is the difference between "defined narrative" and "narrative arc"?

"Defined narrative" refers to the overall structure and clarity of a story, while "narrative arc" refers specifically to the trajectory of the story's plot or character development. A "defined narrative" might contain a complex narrative arc.