Narrative technique in factual writing

This branch covers narrative choices in factual and medical writing. It divides by the choice involved: the scope and limits of narrative, story structure, characters and scenes, emotional engagement, openings and endings, and pace. General audience analysis and the choice of individual metaphors belong to neighbouring branches and topics.

• How far narrative belongs in factual medical writing — narrative approaches, accuracy, the reading experience, creativity and constraints of the document form
• Telling science as a story — story progression, And/But/Therefore, explanatory analogies, diagnostic mystery and narrative order
• Characters, scenes and the patient’s own voice — selected detail, sensory scenes, patients’ experience, dialogue and voice
• Emotion and personal story in factual writing — engagement, trust, emotional responses, sustained personal reporting, drama and manipulation
• Openings, titles and endings — ledes, first paragraphs, titles, the title and lead together, and endings that carry the idea
• Pace and the arc of a piece — the central question, takeaway, momentum, comprehension and an arc emerging from the material