%0 Journal Article
%T The Function of Narrative: Toward a Narrative Psychology of Meaning
%A Brian Schiff
%J Narrative Works
%D 2012
%I The Electronic Text Centre
%X In this paper, I argue that the most salient aspect of narrative is not the arrangement of speech elements into a particular order but the kinds of actions that can be accomplished with narratives. Narrative is best thought of as a verb, ˇ°to narrate,ˇ± or the derived form, ˇ°narrating.ˇ± It is an expressive action, something that persons do. I argue that one of the primary functions of narrating is to ˇ°make presentˇ± life experience and interpretations of life in a particular time and space. Narrating brings experience and interpretations into play, into a field of action, in a specific here and now.
%U http://journals.hil.unb.ca/index.php/NW/article/view/19497/21063