The narrative arc: Revealing core narrative structures through text analysis

Boyd, Ryan L.; Blackburn, Kate G.; Pennebaker, James W.

doi:10.1126/sciadv.aba2196

The narrative arc: Revealing core narrative structures through text analysis

Journal Article · Fri Aug 07 00:00:00 EDT 2020 · Science Advances

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aba2196· OSTI ID:1816846

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Lancaster Univ., Bailrigg (United Kingdom). Dept. of Psychology; OSTI
Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States). Dept. of Psychology

Scholars across disciplines have long debated the existence of a common structure that underlies narratives. Using computer-based language analysis methods, several structural and psychological categories of language were measured across ~40,000 traditional narratives (e.g., novels and movie scripts) and ~20,000 nontraditional narratives (science reporting in newspaper articles, TED talks, and Supreme Court opinions). Across traditional narratives, a consistent underlying story structure emerged that revealed three primary processes: staging, plot progression, and cognitive tension. No evidence emerged to indicate that adherence to normative story structures was related to the popularity of the story. Last, analysis of fact-driven texts revealed structures that differed from story-based narratives.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group; John Templeton Foundation; National Institutes of Health (NIH); National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0014664

OSTI ID:: 1816846

Journal Information:: Science Advances, Journal Name: Science Advances Journal Issue: 32 Vol. 6; ISSN 2375-2548

Publisher:: AAASCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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