Episentrisesti

Episentrisesti is a fictional term used in speculative narrative theory to describe a discourse organization principle in which a text centers its attention on a single core episode. The term combines elements drawn from epi- (upon or around), centri- (center), and -esti (a suffix signaling a systematized approach). It was proposed in a hypothetical framework intended for analysis of focused storytelling and experimental media.

In characteristic use, the central episode acts as the anchor for plot, causality, and memory within the narrative. Peripheral events and subplots are framed as reactions, consequences, or foreshadowed byproducts of that core event, leading to a compressed temporal structure and reinforced thematic cohesion. Analysts may employ coding schemes that mark references to the core episode, its aftermath, and shifts in perspective to identify episentrisesti patterns across genres such as short fiction, film scripts, and interactive narratives. The concept also informs discussions of audience memory and emotional resolution, suggesting that central episodes yield stronger recall and engagement.

Reception has been limited to theoretical and speculative contexts. Critics note that episentrisesti remains a hypothetical construct without broad empirical validation and that it risks conflating narrative economy with cognitive processes. As a result, it is primarily used as a lens for analyzing or guiding focused storytelling and AI-generated narratives rather than as a established category in mainstream narratology.

See also: episodic memory, narrative focus, central event theory.