master narrative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "master narrative" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in discussions about dominant stories or frameworks that shape understanding in various contexts, such as history, culture, or social issues. Example: "The master narrative of American history often overlooks the contributions of marginalized communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"It enables a polyvocal approach, not a master narrative approach".

The New York Times - Arts

In "Interstellar," however, Nolan goes for a master narrative.

The New Yorker

The master narrative thus has a new status.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not until well into the book that a master narrative imposes itself.

The Guardian - Books

Rotheram is locked in his own struggle against a master narrative.

The New York Times - Books

We want to go right at the problem of an exhausted master narrative.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Collection Highlights" reinstates what might be called the core of the master narrative.

The New York Times - Arts

They deride it as the master narrative of modern architecture, a history told by the victors.

The New York Times - Arts

But so is a "master narrative" of "evil" that dismisses the fact that Maj.

The New York Times

Reform and choice – the words already hijacked by New Labour – are the master narrative.

The Guardian

Synthesizing the stuff, as part of a master narrative, or an issue of our time, can come later.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "master narrative" when discussing a dominant or widely accepted storyline that shapes understanding of historical events, cultural phenomena, or social issues. Be aware of its potential to oversimplify complex realities.

Common error

Avoid using the "master narrative" as the sole explanation for a phenomenon. Recognize that multiple perspectives and counter-narratives often exist, providing a more nuanced understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "master narrative" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a dominant, overarching story or framework that shapes understanding within a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "master narrative" refers to a dominant or overarching story that shapes understanding of events, histories, or social phenomena. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. As revealed by the examples, the phrase is very common in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias sources. It's often used critically to examine power structures and challenge established viewpoints. Related terms include "dominant discourse" and "overarching story". When using "master narrative", be mindful of the potential to oversimplify complex issues and consider multiple perspectives to provide a more nuanced understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grand narrative

Emphasizes the scale and ambition of the narrative, suggesting it covers a broad scope.

dominant discourse

Replaces "narrative" with "discourse", emphasizing the way the story is communicated and understood within a specific context.

unified account

Stresses the cohesiveness and consistency of the story being told.

overarching story

Uses simpler language to convey the idea of a comprehensive and all-encompassing narrative.

reigning interpretation

Focuses on the current and most influential understanding or explanation of a topic.

prevailing viewpoint

Shifts the focus from the narrative itself to the commonly accepted perspective or interpretation.

established paradigm

Replaces "narrative" with "paradigm", indicating a dominant model or system of thought.

accepted framework

Highlights the idea of a structure or model that is generally agreed upon and used for understanding something.

common understanding

Highlights the shared and generally accepted knowledge or interpretation of events.

conventional wisdom

Focuses on beliefs or ideas that are widely accepted as truth, even if they may not be accurate.

FAQs

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

You can use "master narrative" to describe a dominant or overarching story that shapes our understanding of events. For example, "Challenging the "master narrative" of traditional curriculum is a strategy within higher education".

What is an alternative to using "master narrative"?

Alternatives include "dominant narrative", "overarching story", or "prevailing viewpoint", depending on the specific context.

What does it mean to challenge a "master narrative"?

Challenging a "master narrative" means questioning or subverting a dominant or widely accepted story to reveal alternative perspectives or hidden truths.

Is the term "master narrative" always negative?

Not necessarily. While the term is often used critically to point out the limitations or biases of a dominant narrative, it can also be used neutrally to simply identify the main storyline or framework.