Vocab Term: Labyrinth Style Narrative

Definition: This is a narrative structure that has different paths. Unlike CYOA (choose your own adventure), a labyrinth style narrative has a loop-like structure. This means there are different hypertext narrative paths that the reader can explore. Though, it’s important to note that all labyrinth style narratives which involves aspects of choice eventually lead toward a singular conclusion.

Source: While this choice of narrative can help bring a sense of immersion for the reader, there is a certain loss of narrative control that the author must relinquish. “When a hypertext narrative is based on a network, the author cannot control the user’s itinerary through the database. This loss of control has important consequences for the narrative coherence of hypertext” (Ryan 294).

Commentary: My DH Project primarily involves a labyrinth style narrative! I wanted to construct a narrative that simulated how it might feel to lose a sense of yourself to AI. By combining aspects of real-world issues surrounding AI and immersive narrative elements, I think having a labyrinth style structure ended up being extremely beneficial. The labyrinth narrative structure helped me communicate certain aspects of pathos and ethos that might have been otherwise difficult to communicate.

Ryan-Laurie Ryan. “Interactive Narrative” The Johns Hopkins Guide to Digital Media, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2014.