What is narrative?

Narratives are the themes and ideas that are carried in collections of stories. To illustrate the relationship among narratives, messages, and stories, check out the Waves Model.

Narrative defines what we imagine is possible and why we want it, what we aspire to become and how, and whether we feel we have power with or over others–or none at all. The people with the most to gain or lose in systems of inequity build power when narratives include their stories, voices, and experiences.

At Narrative Initiative, we believe that narrative is the work of organizing ideas. Successful movements have organized people, organized money, and organized ideas.

What is Narrative Initiative? 

We are a strategy hub for changemakers across movements and advocate for greater leadership and resourcing of narrative work in movement spaces. Leading with racial justice and its connection to other forms of liberation, we work closely with changemakers around the country to make significant, deep, and lasting change in systems that shape the public conversations and lay the groundwork for a truly just, multiracial democracy.

What does Narrative Initiative do?

We build capacity with organizations and changemakers to bring narrative into organizing. We produce narrative research for movements, provide communications guidance, and incubate narrative interventions.

What are key narrative concepts?

A story describes an event or sequence of events that include characters, conflict, and imagery. It has a beginning, middle and end.

A frame is a guide that directs people where to look and helps them interpret what to see.

Narratives are the ideas and themes that permeate collections of stories. The ideas can appear in any structure, and are articulated and refined repeatedly in a variety of stories and messages.

Deep narratives are the stickiest themes and ideas that have permeated stories for more than 50 years.

How does narrative affect social change?

Social change moves in proportion to narrative power. The future of our country depends on millions of everyday narrators. Narrative reflects our people, our analysis, and our solutions, either supporting or weakening our ability to persuade more people to join us. Having more narrative power speeds up economic, cultural and political change.