scattered narrative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scattered narrative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a story or account that is not presented in a linear or cohesive manner, often jumping between different events or perspectives. Example: "The author's latest novel is a scattered narrative that weaves together various timelines and characters, making it a challenging but rewarding read."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The scattered narrative, focusing seemingly randomly on events and experiences since the World War II era, intersperses surrealistic visions and graphic sexuality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He is one of the "disappeared" whose fates were unknown and cannot be told in a simple, sequential way, so the details are scattered through the narrative.

The Guardian - Books

With its lonely environments, scattered relics, minimalist narrative and plaintive soundtrack, award-winning PlayStation game Journey has a very similar feel to No Man's Sky.

The Guardian - Tech

Digressions from the biographical narrative, scattered throughout the book, provide background into related topics, such as the history of botany.

Wikipedia

Wrapped in supernatural elements, the narrative is scattered with references to something bigger than that which is on Earth.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The earthy broken dialect of his narrative voice, scattered with the dog's interjections, is one of the pleasures of this harrowing but hopeful coming-of-age tale.

The Guardian - Books

First, the narrative gets diffuse, scattered, only sporadically tense.

The New York Times

WITH families scattered and everyone pressed for time, narrative therapy is viewed by some as a relatively quick fix.

The New York Times

On their own, the pieces of the story were scattered and easily buried in cacophonous feeds of unrelated links, quotations, and thoughts; with Cole to map the story, tweeting the pieces in their proper order, a narrative became clear.

The New Yorker

There are moments of wit, fear, imagination and grace that one remembers over the years, but they are scattered among the long drawn-out, meandering narrative.

The Guardian - Film

There are, after all, a hundred people to watch out for, and jumping from one engagement to another is not only difficult but lacks a certain narrative quality, making the whole thing feel scattered.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In creative writing, a "scattered narrative" can mirror a character's fragmented memories or a chaotic situation, creating a sense of realism or disorientation.

Common error

Don't confuse a "scattered narrative" with a poorly written one. While it may lack a traditional structure, ensure it still maintains thematic coherence and engaging character development. It's not an excuse for random, disconnected scenes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scattered narrative" functions primarily as a descriptive term in literary analysis. It qualifies the type of narrative structure, indicating a non-linear or fragmented presentation of events. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is used to describe different media ranging from books to videogames.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "scattered narrative" accurately describes a storyline presented in a non-linear, fragmented fashion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. While not extremely common, the phrase appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, most often within News & Media contexts. When using "scattered narrative", ensure that despite its non-linear nature, the story maintains thematic coherence to avoid confusing readers. Alternative phrases include "fragmented story" or "non-linear narrative".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragmented story

Replaces 'narrative' with 'story', emphasizing the broken nature of the account.

non-linear narrative

Directly states the narrative isn't following a straight line.

disjointed narrative

Highlights the lack of connection between parts of the narrative.

patchwork narrative

Suggests the narrative is made of different pieces put together.

episodic narrative

Implies the narrative is composed of separate episodes.

disconnected narrative

Similar to disjointed, but emphasizes a stronger separation.

unstructured narrative

Focuses on the absence of a clear structure in the narrative.

meandering narrative

Suggests the narrative wanders without a clear direction.

rambling narrative

Similar to meandering, but implies the narrative is excessively long and unfocused.

diffuse narrative

Highlights the narrative's lack of focus and spread-out nature.

FAQs

How can I effectively use a "scattered narrative" in my writing?

To use a "scattered narrative" effectively, focus on thematic connections between seemingly disparate parts. Use recurring motifs or symbols to tie the story together, providing a sense of unity despite the non-linear structure.

What's the difference between a "scattered narrative" and a stream of consciousness?

While both may appear fragmented, a "scattered narrative" is a deliberate choice in storytelling structure, while stream of consciousness ("stream of consciousness") aims to represent the unfiltered flow of thoughts in a character's mind.

When is it appropriate to use a "scattered narrative"?

A "scattered narrative" is appropriate when you want to mirror a character's disorientation, represent fragmented memories, or explore multiple perspectives on a single event. It can also create suspense by withholding information and revealing it in a non-chronological order.

What are some alternatives to "scattered narrative"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "fragmented story", "non-linear narrative", or "disjointed narrative" to describe a narrative that isn't presented in a linear or cohesive manner.