toistorakenne

Toistorakenne is a term used in Finnish literary and media studies to denote the structure of a narrative—how a story is organized, presented, and paced. It concerns the arrangement of events, the order in which they are revealed, as well as choices regarding point of view, time, and narration techniques. The concept is closely related to narratology and to the broader study of plot and characterization; in Finnish scholarship it is often discussed under tarinankerronnan rakenne or narratiivinen rakenne.

Common structural patterns include linear (chronological) narration, where events unfold in time, and non-linear approaches, which employ flashbacks, flash-forwards, or nested frames. Frame structures (kehysrakenne) place a story within a surrounding narrative, while multi-strand or braided structures weave several plotlines that intersect or parallel each other. Perspective-driven structures use a single or multiple narrators with varying degrees of reliability and focalization.

Time manipulation—such as in medias res openings, pacing control, and deliberate delays—serves to shape suspense and thematic emphasis. The chosen toistorakenne influences how readers interpret characters, motives, and symbolism and can determine the work’s emotional rhythm. In analysis, identifying the toistorakenne helps explain a text’s effects, the coordination of motifs, and the overarching message. The term is used across literature, film, and other narrative media to describe the organizing principles behind a story.