Narrators

A narrator is the voice that conveys a story to the reader or audience. The narrator may be a character within the story or an external observer, and the term covers the narrative voice, point of view, and the level of access to characters’ thoughts. Narrators shape how information is presented and how the reader experiences the plot.

Common types include first-person narrators, who recount events using I and are typically closely tied to the story’s events; second-person narrators who address the reader as you and are relatively rare; and third-person narrators, who refer to characters by he, she, or they. Third-person can be omniscient, with knowledge of all characters’ thoughts; limited, with access confined to one character; or objective, reporting only dialogue and action without inner commentary. Some works employ multiple narrators or framed narratives, where a story is told by several voices or within a nested frame.

Unreliable narrators deliberately mislead or misinterpret events, calling into question the trustworthiness of the narrative. Narration also involves focalization—the lens through which events are perceived—affecting what readers learn about characters and motives. Other stylistic approaches include stream of consciousness, where a character’s interior thoughts flow unfiltered, and dramatic or objective narration, which refrains from internal commentary.

The choice of narrator influences reader engagement, tone, and pace. In fiction, it can create intimacy, suspense, or distance; in film or radio, voice-over narration performs a comparable role. Non-fiction and memoirs also rely on a narrator, whose credibility and perspective shape interpretation of events. Understanding narration helps readers evaluate bias, reliability, and the relationship between storyteller and truth.