Narrative·Course
Narratology
Narrative theory: story structures, storytelling in business and politics
Part of the Antiquity track — finish it for a verifiable diploma →
§ 01 — Orientation
New here?
What you'll be able to do, who this is for, how long it takes, and where to begin.
By the end, you will be able to
- 01Break a story into its structural parts.
- 02Recognize the archetypal plots underneath.
- 03Tell a business story that persuades.
- 04See how narratives are used for power.
- 05Craft a narrative on purpose, not by accident.
Who this is for
How long it takes
- Quick orientationSkim the opening module and the cheatsheet to get the shape of it.~2 h
- Full read-throughRead every article once, in order.~2 h
- Mastery pathRead, take the quizzes, and space out your reviews.~2 weeks
- APA
Stoa. (2026). Narratology [Online course]. Stoa. https://stoa.school/course/narratives
- MLA
Stoa. “Narratology.” Stoa, 2026, https://stoa.school/course/narratives.
- Chicago
Stoa. “Narratology.” Stoa. Accessed September 1, 2026. https://stoa.school/course/narratives.
§ 02 — Curriculum
8 modules.
Each module is a small unit. Most read in sequence — but a determined reader can begin anywhere.
- M IMythology and Archetypal NarrativesThe great myths of the world and their psychological dimension3 articles
18 minBegin → - M IIBiography and History as NarrativeHistorical figures, the biographical genre, and life lessons3 articles
18 minBegin → - M IIINarrative and MediaHow stories work in film, journalism, social networks, and digital space3 articles
18 minBegin → - M IVNarrative and the Human SciencesThe psychology of stories: identity, therapy, persuasion, and collective memory3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VThe Novel as a Narrative Form: From Don Quixote to Anna KareninaThe emergence of the novel and its narrative innovations3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VIModernist Narrative: Stream of Consciousness and the Break with FormJoyce, Woolf, Proust — new techniques of storytelling3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VIIPostmodern Narrative and MetafictionBorges, Pynchon, Eco, and the play with narrative conventions3 articles
18 minBegin → - M VIIINarrative in the Digital AgeAI, games, hypertext, and new forms of storytelling3 articles
18 minBegin →
§ 03 — Learning outcomes
4 outcomes.
Demonstrate understanding of fundamental narratological concepts: story, discourse, and narrator
Recognize universal narrative patterns across different contexts
Apply storytelling principles to create persuasive pitches and communications
Analyze political and media narratives as instruments of influence
§ 04 — Practices