When most writers think about narrative techniques, they picture the big ones: point of view, dialogue, pacing, and maybe a well-placed flashback. And yes, those matter a lot. But the truth is, there are several underrated narrative techniques that can make a huge difference in how your story resonates with readers.
In this article, we’ll dive into narrative techniques writers often overlook and explore why they’re worth your attention. If you’re a writer looking to level up your storytelling, keep reading.
What Are Narrative Techniques, Really?
Narrative techniques are the storytelling tools writers use to craft and control the reader’s experience. These include obvious elements like plot structure, character development, dialogue, and point of view—but they also cover subtler choices like pacing, tone, and the order in which information is revealed.
Think of narrative techniques as the “how” behind the “what.” It’s not just what happens in your story—it’s how you choose to show it.
Some techniques shout for attention, like a dramatic monologue or a shocking twist. Others whisper from the margins, like a recurring symbol or a carefully chosen bit of silence. But all of them play a role in guiding emotion, focus, and meaning.
The most powerful narrative techniques often work in the background. They may go unnoticed on a first read but reveal their importance when you look closer. And those are the techniques this article focuses on: the quiet craft that turns decent storytelling into unforgettable fiction.
1. Narrative Distance: How Close Is Too Close?
Most writers know about point of view (first person, third person limited, etc.), but narrative distance is a more nuanced concept that often gets left behind. It’s not about who is telling the story, but how close the narration feels to the character’s emotions and thoughts.
Narrative distance can shift from sentence to sentence. A distant narrator might simply report what a character does. A close narrator dives into the character’s inner world and presents their immediate reactions.
Why It Matters:
- Controls how much readers connect with the character’s internal world
- Shapes the emotional tone of the narrative
- Allows flexibility between intimacy and detachment for pacing and impact
Example:
“She couldn’t believe what he’d done.” — A distant, external view.
“She paused, heart hammering. He’d done it. He’d really betrayed her.” — A closer, internal experience.
Writers often default to one level of distance. Varying it intentionally can add new texture to your storytelling.
2. Unreliable Narrators: Not Just for Thrillers
When we think of unreliable narrators, we tend to picture psychological thrillers. But this technique isn’t genre-bound. It can be used in any type of story to add ambiguity, tension, or humor.
An unreliable narrator might lie, misunderstand events, or withhold key details—either knowingly or not. The fun for readers is in figuring out what’s really going on beneath the surface.
Why Writers Overlook It:
- Requires precision to avoid reader confusion
- Balancing believability and misdirection can be tricky
Why You Should Use It:
- Adds depth and dimension to voice and character
- Encourages readers to read more actively
- Opens the door to plot twists, irony, or double meanings
Even subtle unreliability—like bias, naïveté, or selective memory—can add layers to your narration.
3. The Strategic Use of Silence
Writers love sharp dialogue and internal monologues. But strategic silence can do just as much, if not more.
Instead of having a character say exactly what they feel, you might show them hesitating, turning away, or changing the subject. Silence creates space for the reader to lean in and interpret.
Why It Works:
- Builds tension and emotional subtext
- Feels authentic to real-life conversations
- Lets actions and atmosphere carry the weight
Consider:
- Letting a character walk away instead of delivering a dramatic speech
- Highlighting what’s left unsaid during a key moment
- Using paragraph breaks or scene cuts to suggest things unspoken
Used well, silence can be louder than words.
4. Shifts in Time Without Flashbacks
Flashbacks are a classic technique—but they aren’t the only way to shift through time. In fact, subtle time jumps can feel more fluid and immersive.
You don’t always have to set off a flashback with a clear trigger. Instead, consider:
Try These Instead:
- Elliptical time jumps: Skip ahead or behind and let the reader catch up naturally
- Out-of-order storytelling: Present scenes non-chronologically to build mystery or parallel storylines
- Temporal disorientation: Blur time intentionally to reflect memory, trauma, or confusion
These options keep the momentum going while still giving you the freedom to move through time.
5. Repetition With a Purpose
We’re often taught to avoid repetition. But when done intentionally, it becomes a powerful tool for emphasis, rhythm, and voice.
Use Repetition To:
- Highlight a character’s emotional state or obsession
- Echo a theme or motif across scenes
- Build a lyrical or poetic rhythm into the prose
Example:
He waited by the phone. He waited through the night. He waited while the world spun and didn’t stop for him.
The key is knowing why you’re repeating something. When it’s purposeful, repetition becomes unforgettable.
6. Character Filters: Who Notices What?
Every character experiences the world in a unique way. The character filter technique means showing the world through their eyes, not just describing it neutrally.
What a character notices tells us about who they are—their values, experiences, and emotional state.
Examples:
- A soldier might note exit routes and danger signs
- A florist might think in colors, textures, and scent
- A child might fixate on confusing adult behavior
Why It Matters:
- Deepens character voice without exposition
- Adds authenticity and personality to narration
- Immerses readers in the character’s mindset
Use this technique to bring your characters to life on every page.
7. Objects as Narrative Anchors
We tend to use objects to set scenes, but they can do much more. When treated as narrative anchors, objects can carry emotion, memory, and thematic weight.
How to Use This:
- Connect objects with turning points (e.g. a ring, a letter, a photograph)
- Show emotional shifts through how a character interacts with the object
- Let objects “age” with the story to track time or change
An old mug, a cracked phone, a perfectly folded blanket—all can serve as subtle storytelling devices.
8. Internal Contradictions: Let Characters Be Messy
Real people are inconsistent. So are great fictional characters. But writers often try to make character motivations too tidy.
Allowing internal contradictions creates realism and tension.
Think About:
- A character who craves love but pushes people away
- Someone who is honest but lies to protect others
- A powerful leader plagued by self-doubt
Contradictions don’t weaken your characters. They make them more believable.
9. Meta-Narrative Techniques: Letting the Story Be Aware of Itself
Meta-narrative techniques play with the boundary between fiction and reality. While this approach isn’t for every story, it can add a clever twist or satirical layer.
Examples:
- A narrator who addresses the reader directly
- A character commenting on storytelling tropes
- A scene that “rewrites” itself mid-way
Why Use It:
- Adds playfulness or philosophical depth
- Invites the reader into the act of storytelling
- Subverts expectations and breaks the fourth wall
When used sparingly, meta techniques can highlight the theme or even critique the genre itself.
10. Scene Framing: How You Begin and End Matters
The start and end of a scene carry the most weight. Yet many writers overlook how framing influences pacing and meaning.
Strong Scene Framing Involves:
- Starting at the action: Don’t warm up—jump in at the turning point
- Ending with impact: Leave the reader wanting more, not wrapping things up too neatly
- Bookending: Use a repeated image or line at the beginning and end of a scene or story
Good scene framing turns an ordinary moment into a memorable one.
Why These Narrative Techniques Deserve More Attention
Each of these techniques might seem small on its own, but together they create a more textured, compelling story. They show you’re thinking not just about what you’re writing, but how you’re writing it.
Overlooked narrative techniques are often the ones that:
- Deepen the emotional experience
- Create complexity without confusion
- Add subtlety and nuance that rewards careful reading
They may not be flashy. They won’t show up on most writing tip lists. But they will make your work stronger.
What Makes a Narrative Technique ‘Overlooked’?
Before we wrap up, it’s worth asking: why are these techniques overlooked in the first place?
Some of them aren’t flashy. They don’t scream for attention on the page. Others require a certain level of restraint or maturity to pull off effectively—which can make them intimidating for newer writers.
And in many cases, these techniques don’t get taught in basic writing courses. Writers focus on plot structure, character arcs, and dialogue (as they should), but the more nuanced elements often get skipped.
Understanding this helps you approach them with purpose. You’re not just adding complexity for complexity’s sake—you’re using overlooked techniques to craft stories that feel fuller, deeper, and more real.
Closing Thoughts: Don’t Just Tell a Story—Craft It
The best writers don’t just have good stories to tell. They use every tool available to shape how that story feels on the page. And that’s where narrative techniques—especially the overlooked ones—come in.
Try experimenting with one or two of the ideas above in your next scene. You might be surprised how much deeper, richer, and more resonant your writing becomes.
Remember: it’s not just about what you say. It’s about how you say it.