What Are Narrative Devices?

A narrative device is a technique used by a writer in telling a story. Narratives are stories that tell a listener or reader about a series of events. Narrative devices can be used to manipulate the writing style or the content of the story.

One common narrative device is changing the order of events to increase drama until a climax is reached. A similar device is withholding information from the reader to create a desired effect, like the surprise in a mystery. Foreshadowing is a powerful narrative device that hints at the direction a story is going to take, such as when Romeo and Juliet both say that they would rather die than be apart from one another.