Storyframing

Storyframing is a narrative technique used to structure and present a story. It involves embedding one or more smaller stories within a larger, overarching narrative. This creates a layered effect, where the main story acts as a frame for the inner tales. The purpose of storyframing can be varied, including providing context, character development, thematic exploration, or simply to add depth and complexity to the overall experience.

In a storyframe, the outer narrative typically introduces the situation and the characters who will be telling or experiencing the inner stories. The inner stories then unfold, often revealing important information or influencing the characters and plot of the main story. Once the inner stories are concluded, the narrative returns to the outer frame, showing how the events or revelations from the embedded tales have impacted the main plot or characters.

This technique is common in literature, film, and oral traditions. Examples include collections of tales told by a central character, such as in *The Arabian Nights*, or films that use flashbacks or narrated anecdotes to build their primary narrative. Storyframing can influence the audience's perception of the characters and events, as the meaning and significance of the inner stories are often interpreted through the lens of the framing narrative, and vice-versa. It allows for a dynamic interplay between different narrative levels, enhancing the storytelling experience.