StrukturVerhal
StrukturVerhal is a theoretical framework used to analyze how narrative structure and verbal realization interact to shape meaning across media. It treats structure as the arrangement of events in time—plot, chronology, pacing, and segmentation—and the verbal dimension as the production and presentation of discourse—voice, focalization, speech acts, direct and indirect discourse, and the use of discourse markers. The framework emphasizes the dynamic coupling of these dimensions: changes in the organization of events often accompany shifts in narration style, and deliberate discourse choices can reframe how the structure is perceived.
Origin and scope: The term combines Struktur (structure) with Verhal, a shortened form of narrative behavior
Method and practice: Analysts produce a dual map—one charting structural elements (acts, scenes, arcs) and one
Applications and limitations: StrukturVerhal supports close reading of complex texts, screenwriting, game design, and AI storytelling
Relation to other theories: It complements narratology and discourse analysis and shares concerns with structuralism, but
See also: narratology, discourse analysis, Freytag's pyramid, narrative theory.