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Story Types / Narrative Techniques - CSV

Story types are classifications and organizations of the techniques, patterns, and structures that compose narratives. From classical folktale research to modern media works, common patterns and techniques exist in the stories humanity has woven. This classification is utilized as a foundation for understanding narrative structures in creative writing, analyzing works, and creating new stories. It represents an important knowledge system for understanding narratives from diverse perspectives, ranging from uniquely Japanese types to universally shared storytelling techniques.

narratology creative writing fiction storytelling narrative structure literary theory

code,slug,name,description
01,narrative-typology,Narrative Typology,An academic classification system that categorizes similar narratives.
02,villainess-reincarnation,Villainess Reincarnation,A narrative type where the protagonist reincarnates as the villainess of an otome game or novel.
03,retroactive-continuity,Retroactive Continuity,Settings or background information added to an existing narrative after its initial creation.
04,analog-horror,Analog Horror,A horror genre that mimics VHS tapes and old television broadcasts.
05,rain-dragon-slain,Rain-Bringing Dragon Slain,A folktale motif where a beneficent being is killed despite providing blessings.
06,otherworld-journey,Otherworld Journey,A narrative type where the protagonist visits another world and returns.
07,isekai,Isekai,A narrative genre where the protagonist is transported or reincarnated into another world.
08,dark-development,Dark Development,A narrative pattern where the story progresses in a dark and depressing direction.
09,everyday-magic,Everyday Magic,A narrative form where magic or supernatural elements blend into the everyday world.
10,falling-object-romance,Falling Object Romance,A narrative type where the story begins with a heroine falling from the sky.
11,convention,Convention / Trope,Standard developments or settings repeatedly used in specific genres.
12,origin-story,Origin Story,A narrative form that depicts the origins of characters or worlds.
13,poetic-justice,Poetic Justice,A moral narrative structure where good is rewarded and evil is punished.
14,noble-exile,Noble Exile Narrative,A narrative pattern where a person of noble birth goes on a wandering journey.
15,atmospheric-slice-of-life,Atmospheric Slice of Life,A work format that emphasizes everyday atmosphere without a clear storyline.
16,quest,Quest,A narrative structure where the protagonist embarks on a journey of exploration to achieve a goal.
17,red-herring,Red Herring,A misdirection technique that intentionally leads readers or viewers in the wrong direction.
18,eye-dialect,Eye Dialect,A literary technique that expresses speaker characteristics through non-standard spelling.
19,apocalyptic-fiction,Apocalyptic Fiction,A narrative genre depicting the end of the world or collapse of civilization.
20,cinderella-story,Cinderella Story,A narrative pattern of rising from unfavorable circumstances to success.
21,slice-of-life,Slice of Life,A narrative form that depicts a slice of everyday life.
22,holy-sword,Holy Sword,A narrative motif centered on a special sword with divine power.
23,sekaikai,Sekai-kei,A narrative form where personal romantic relationships directly connect to the fate of the world.
24,chekhovs-gun,Chekhov's Gun,A creative principle that every element in a story should have necessity.
25,late-with-toast,Late Girl with Toast,A standard scene in Japanese creative works of a girl running late with toast in her mouth.
26,dragon-slayer,Dragon Slayer,A universal mythological motif of a hero slaying a dragon.
27,plot-twist,Plot Twist,A technique where unexpected developments are revealed near the end of the story.
28,narou-kei,Narou-kei,A distinctive web novel genre originating from the Shousetsuka ni Narou platform.
29,false-protagonist,False Protagonist,A technique where a character thought to be the protagonist at the beginning turns out not to be.
30,harem-genre,Harem Genre,A narrative form where multiple opposite-sex characters show affection toward a single protagonist.
31,setting,Setting,"The framework of time, place, and social environment where the story unfolds."
32,youngest-child-success,Youngest Child Success Tale,A folktale pattern where the youngest child outwits older siblings to achieve success.
33,happy-ending,Happy Ending,An ending where the story concludes happily for the protagonist.
34,plot-device,Plot Device,Techniques or mechanisms used to advance the story.
35,plot-hole,Plot Hole,A defect where contradictions or insufficient explanations occur in the story's plot.
36,stepchild-abuse-tale,Stepchild Abuse Tale,A folktale type depicting children abused by stepmothers or stepfathers.
37,morphology-of-folktale,Morphology of the Folktale,Propp's structural analysis theory of folktales.
38,merry-bad-end,Merry Bad End,An ending format that appears happy on the surface but is actually tragic.
39,dream-ending,Dream Ending,An ending technique revealing that the story's events were actually a dream.
40,riddle-story,Riddle Story,A narrative form where the ending is not explicitly stated and left to reader interpretation.
41,time-loop,Time Loop,A narrative structure where the same time period or events repeat.
42,road-movie,Road Movie,A narrative form where characters grow through travel or journey.