ABSTRACT
Narrative is a form of discourse that is distinct from argument, scientific explanation, analysis, diagnosis, prayer, and so forth. Speaking very broadly, a narrative, whether fictional or nonfictional, belongs to the class or genus of representations of states of affairs, events, or sequences of states of affairs and/or events. Obviously, although the requirement of causality for narrative status has been appreciably watered down in the preceding account, it has not disappeared entirely. Traditionally, it has been the causality requirement, in whatever form, that has vexed critics. The notion of an emotional cadence is rather obscure, which makes it hard to determine whether or not a given narrative has one. Narratives can also fail to secure closure, if they do not answer some question that the story has provoked. This is analogous to a piece of music that ends too abruptly. This can happen if an apparently central character is introduced, but then drops out of sight.
