narrative time

Narrative time refers to the way a story is ordered and conveyed to the audience. It encompasses the sequence and timing of events as they are presented, which may differ from the actual chronological order of those events. For example, a story might start with a flashback or jump between past and present, shaping how readers experience and understand the plot. Essentially, narrative time involves the structural choices made by a storyteller regarding when and how events are revealed, influencing the story’s pacing, tension, and emotional impact.