discontinuous narrative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discontinuous narrative" is correct and usable in written English.
You may use it when referring to a story that is broken up into segments or seemingly unrelated chapters. For example, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is an example of a discontinuous narrative, featuring a series of surreal, episodic adventures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

These commercial breaks on ITV – are they creating a new form of discontinuous anti-narrative expectation in the way we consume cinema?" There were other strange things as well.

The Guardian - Film

The novel, with its discontinuous chronology and several narrative voices, also makes a radical stylistic break with the realistic, straightforward, sequential approach to storytelling on which the North African novel had relied up to that point.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Plot has never interested me," Hannah told an interviewer in 1997, while John Updike remarked that "all Mr Hannah's narratives are discontinuous".

The Guardian - Books

The latter's plays exhibit a directionless and discontinuous aesthetic that challenges realist narrative traditions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His debut independently written feature was The Power and the Glory (1933), a dark little fable about ambition and betrayal, using narrative voiceover to bind discontinuous chronology and competing perspectives, breaking the rules from the start.

The Guardian - Film

Its hallmarks include discontinuous chronology, in which fragments of narrative glint like shards of memory; the mutable identities of people and places; and the eminently reasonable presence of ghosts.

The New York Times - Books

What's genuinely daring about "Fantasia" is Disney's decision to forgo an overall audience-grabbing narrative in favor of a discontinuous series of episodes, each operating in a different style.

The New York Times

They're discontinuous.

The New Yorker

He is discontinuous with himself.

The New Yorker

So, yes, overall, the "discontinuous" 5S works.

The Guardian - Tech

The highland regions are localized and discontinuous.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing a "discontinuous narrative", consider how the fragmented structure contributes to the overall meaning and effect of the work. Note any patterns or themes that emerge despite the lack of a linear storyline.

Common error

Don't assume that a "discontinuous narrative" is simply a poorly constructed one. Often, the discontinuity is a deliberate artistic choice that serves a specific purpose, such as reflecting a character's fragmented mental state or challenging traditional storytelling conventions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discontinuous narrative" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where 'discontinuous' modifies 'narrative'. It describes a specific type of narrative structure that does not follow a continuous or linear progression. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Books

34%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "discontinuous narrative" is a grammatically sound and usable term that describes storytelling which deviates from linearity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a legitimate way to characterize narratives with fragmented, episodic, or non-chronological elements. While not exceptionally common, it appears mostly in news, media, encyclopedias, and books and is suitable for neutral to formal registers. The term serves to categorize and analyze unconventional storytelling methods, inviting deeper interpretation of the author's intent and impact on the audience. Considering alternatives like "fragmented storytelling" or "nonlinear narrative" can provide nuanced perspectives on the narrative's specific qualities. It's crucial to avoid dismissing discontinuity as accidental, recognizing that it often serves a deliberate artistic purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disjointed narrative

Emphasizes the lack of connection or coherence between parts of the story.

fragmented storytelling

Focuses on the broken or incomplete nature of the narrative elements.

broken narrative

Focuses on the damaged or incomplete state of the narrative.

episodic narrative

Highlights the series of loosely connected events or segments.

segmented narrative

Emphasizes the division of the narrative into distinct parts.

nonlinear narrative

Emphasizes the deviation from a traditional chronological order.

non-sequential narrative

Similar to nonlinear, but stresses the lack of a logical progression.

patchwork narrative

Highlights the pieced-together nature of the story.

interrupted narrative

Suggests breaks or pauses in the flow of the story.

unconventional narrative structure

Broadly refers to any narrative that doesn't follow traditional patterns.

FAQs

How does a "discontinuous narrative" differ from a traditional narrative?

A "discontinuous narrative" deviates from the traditional linear structure by employing fragmentation, non-chronological order, or seemingly unrelated segments. This contrasts with traditional narratives that follow a clear, sequential storyline.

What effect does using a "discontinuous narrative" have on the audience?

A "discontinuous narrative" can create a sense of disorientation, challenge the audience's expectations, and encourage active participation in piecing together the story's meaning. It can also mirror the fragmented nature of memory or experience.

Are there specific genres where "discontinuous narrative" is more common?

Yes, "discontinuous narrative" techniques are frequently found in experimental literature, postmodern novels, art films, and certain types of video games that prioritize thematic exploration or character development over plot coherence.

What are some alternative ways to describe a narrative that isn't linear?

Besides "discontinuous narrative", you could use terms like "fragmented storytelling", "nonlinear narrative", or "episodic narrative" to describe a story that deviates from a traditional, sequential structure.