storylike

Storylike is an adjective describing something that resembles or evokes a story in its form, content, or effect. It is used to describe texts, images, performances, and other media that give readers or viewers the sense of a narrative, even if they do not present a conventional plot. Features commonly associated with storylike quality include a sense of progression, presence of a character or voice, a defined setting, and emotional or thematic resonance. The term can apply to writing, speech, film, art, and experiences designed to feel like a story.

Etymology: The word is formed by adding the suffix -like to story, which itself derives from Old English and ultimately from Latin historia. The compound is common in English to describe resemblance or similarity. Related terms include narrative, tale-like, cinematic, and story-driven, which describe degrees or aspects of storytelling without asserting a full narrative.

Usage and considerations: Because storylike is inherently subjective, its meaning shifts with context and audience. In criticism, it signals that a work foregrounds narrative cues, such as character presence, causally linked events, or evocative settings. In design or marketing, describing an experience as storylike suggests a guided, coherent arc that emulates storytelling. Writers and scholars may specify which elements contribute to the effect, such as pacing, perspective, or thematic threads, to avoid vagueness.