uneven narrative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uneven narrative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a story or account that lacks consistency, coherence, or balance in its structure or delivery. Example: "The film's uneven narrative made it difficult for the audience to stay engaged with the plot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But this leads to a decidedly uneven narrative; just as there is almost nothing in the book about the 1930s, the 1980s are left aside except for a single long interview with an assistant director, Oliver B. Revell.

The New York Times - Books

General Odierno has now been in Iraq for 45 of the 84 months of the war, a period of his career that parallels the uneven narrative of the conflict, for better and worse.

The New York Times

Carter's rambling, uneven narrative revolves around Sharon Hart, the unlikely boat captain who employs him for four summers, and who has defied serious odds to build a life here.

The New York Times - Books

Fisher depicts the intersection of their careers amid the simmering world conflict, juxtaposing history and sport in an absorbing but uneven narrative that does not always live up to the match's billing.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Like some of the Empire's acts themselves, it is uneven, and the narrative is not its strongest point.

The Guardian

There are strong moments in Alison Peebles' comradely production, but the sing-song Cockney performances are uneven, and the narrative threads too fragmented to make us care.

The Guardian

A reviewer for The Burlington Magazine in 1931 judged the book a failed experiment, finding the artwork uneven and the narrative hard to follow without even the chapter titles as textual guidance that had.

Wikipedia

(Scott) 'RENDITION' (R, 120 minutes) This complex melodrama about torture and terrorism is full of big ideas and good intentions, but these are undermined by a confusing, overly busy narrative scheme and uneven performances.

The New York Times

More provocatively, Bahman Ghobadi's Kasi az gorbehaye irani khabar nadareh (No One Knows About Persian Cats) burrowed into Tehran's underground music scene for an uneven quasi-documentary blend of limp narrative and fiery music.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's also a peculiarly uneven novel with a herky-jerky narrative that lurches from passages of enormous beauty and power to ones of almost laughable contrivance and bathos.

The New York Times - Books

The potential danger of so much backstory is that it undercuts the very urgency that the single-day conceit facilitates, and there are times in Serious Sweet when the transitions between present day and flashback narratives feel jarring and uneven.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "uneven narrative", consider specifying which aspects of the narrative are uneven (e.g., pacing, character development, plot consistency) to provide more clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "uneven narrative" as a catch-all criticism. Instead, identify the specific flaws that contribute to the unevenness, such as abrupt transitions or inconsistent tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uneven narrative" functions as a descriptive term, characterizing a story or account that lacks consistency or balance. Ludwig examples show it often used in book and film reviews, indicating critical assessment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Books

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "uneven narrative" effectively describes a story or account lacking consistency, coherence, or balance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and usable in written English, commonly appearing in news, media, and book reviews. While its frequency is relatively rare, especially as demonstrated by the limited examples, it is a useful phrase for conveying criticism related to a story's structure or execution. When using this phrase, specifying the specific aspects of the narrative that are uneven helps provide context and clarity for the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uneven storytelling

Similar to the original phrase, but emphasizes the act of storytelling itself.

inconsistent storyline

Focuses on the inconsistency within the story's plot or sequence of events.

patchy narrative

Emphasizes the irregularity and lack of uniformity in the narrative's quality.

disjointed account

Highlights the disconnected or fragmented nature of the narrative.

fragmented narrative

Implies the narrative is broken into disjointed parts.

rambling story

Suggests the narrative lacks focus and wanders from the main topic.

erratic storytelling

Indicates unpredictable and irregular patterns in the way the story is told.

incoherent narrative

Focuses on the lack of clarity and logical connection in the narrative.

lopsided narrative

Highlights the imbalance or disproportionate focus within the narrative.

unbalanced account

Similar to 'lopsided', but emphasizes a general lack of equilibrium.

FAQs

What does "uneven narrative" mean?

The phrase "uneven narrative" describes a story or account that has inconsistencies in quality, pacing, or focus, making it lack coherence or balance.

How can I identify an "uneven narrative" in a text?

Look for inconsistencies in tone, abrupt shifts in plot or character development, or parts that feel rushed or underdeveloped. An "inconsistent storyline" can be a sign.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "uneven narrative"?

Depending on the specific issue, you might use phrases like "disjointed account", "fragmented narrative", or "incoherent narrative".

Is "uneven narrative" a negative critique?

Yes, generally. It indicates that the narrative has flaws that detract from its overall quality and impact. However, some experimental narratives may intentionally employ unevenness for artistic effect.