The actual written or spoken words used to tell a story, together with the…

Concept

Narrative analysis distinguishes the story—what happens—from discourse—how the story is expressed. Discourse is the sign-based form of a narrative, including spoken or written words and, in visual media, images or pictures.

Application

The stem identifies the expressive materials used to present a narrative: its actual words and its visual images. These materials belong to discourse.

Contrast

• Event means an occurrence within the story—the action or incident represented.

• Law means a formal rule or principle governing conduct or a domain.

• Performance means the act of presenting or enacting material before an audience.

Cross-check

If the words or images change while the underlying occurrence stays the same, the discourse changes but the event does not. Therefore, the category asked for is Discourse.