Background

Definition

In storytelling, background refers to the detailed information and context surrounding a character's life, experiences, and environment. This aspect is essential in non-fiction narratives as it helps to create a rich and authentic portrayal of individuals, enhancing the reader's understanding of their motivations, struggles, and development throughout the narrative.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Background information provides insights into a character's past experiences, which are crucial for understanding their current behavior and choices.
2. Including background details can evoke empathy from readers by illustrating the challenges faced by characters in their lives.
3. Effective use of background can enhance the authenticity of non-fiction narratives, making real-life stories more relatable and impactful.
4. Background helps to establish the setting in which characters operate, influencing their interactions and relationships within the narrative.
5. In non-fiction narratives, background can also reveal societal or cultural contexts that shape a character's identity and experiences.

Review Questions

• How does background information contribute to the development of multidimensional characters in non-fiction narratives?
  • Background information plays a critical role in developing multidimensional characters by providing essential context about their life experiences and environments. When readers understand where a character comes from, including their past struggles or achievements, it adds depth to their motivations and actions. This deeper understanding allows readers to engage more fully with the character's journey and relate to their challenges.
• In what ways can the inclusion of background details influence the reader's perception of a character in a non-fiction narrative?
  • Including background details can significantly influence how readers perceive a character by shaping their understanding of the character's motivations, emotions, and choices. For instance, if a character has faced significant hardships in their past, readers may develop empathy for them and view their current actions in a different light. This context can alter the reader's interpretation of events and enhance the overall emotional impact of the narrative.
• Evaluate how background information interacts with other elements like characterization and narrative arc to enhance storytelling in non-fiction.
  • Background information interacts with characterization and narrative arc by providing a foundation upon which characters are built and their stories unfold. A well-rounded background enhances characterization by revealing why characters act a certain way or make specific choices throughout the narrative arc. This interplay ensures that readers follow the emotional journey of characters while also understanding how their past experiences shape both their present actions and future decisions within the story.

Related terms

Context: The circumstances or factors surrounding a situation or character that help shape their actions and decisions.

Characterization:

The process of creating and developing a character by revealing their personality traits, motivations, and background.

Narrative Arc: The structure of a story that outlines the progression of events, including the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.