Narration refers to the way a story is told, specifically the perspective and point of view from which the story is told. There are several different types of narration, each with its own unique characteristics.
- First-person narration: This type of narration is told from the perspective of the protagonist or a main character, and uses pronouns such as "I" and "me." The narrator is a character in the story and shares their thoughts, feelings, and experiences directly with the reader.
Example: "I walked through the dark alley, my heart racing with fear."
- Second-person narration: This type of narration is told from the perspective of the reader, and uses pronouns such as "you" and "your." The narrator addresses the reader directly, making them feel as though they are a character in the story.
Example: "You find yourself lost in the forest, unsure of which direction to go."
- Third-person narration: This type of narration is told from an external point of view, using pronouns such as "he," "she," "it," and "they." The narrator is not a character in the story, and instead observes and reports on the actions and thoughts of the characters.
Example: "She walked through the door, her head held high."
- Omniscient narration: This type of narration is told from an all-knowing point of view, meaning the narrator has access to the thoughts, feelings and motivations of all the characters. The narrator can move freely between different characters' perspectives, giving the reader a broader understanding of the story.
Example: "John was feeling excited about the trip, little did he know that the journey would change his life forever. Meanwhile, his wife Mary was worried about the safety of the trip."
- Limited Omniscient narration: This type of narration is similar to Omniscient narration, but the narrator is limited to the thoughts and feelings of one character at a time, giving the reader a deeper understanding of that specific character.
Example: "John walked into the room, his mind filled with thoughts of the upcoming meeting. He didn't notice Mary sitting in the corner, her eyes fixed on him, filled with worry."
Each type of narration has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of narration can greatly impact the tone and overall feel of a story. A story told in first-person, for example, will have a more personal feel, while a story told in third-person will have a more objective feel. As a writer, it's important to choose the right narration for your story and to be consistent in your use of narration throughout the story.
