Definition

A way of telling a story or recounting events, often used in literature and film.

Example

The film's diegesis included both the characters' dialogue and the background music that the characters could hear.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the term diegesis?

Yeah, isn’t it about the narrative of a story or film?

Exactly! It refers to how the story is told within the world of the narrative.

That's really interesting; I love how storytelling works on different levels.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Diegesis is derived from the Greek word "diegesis" (διήγησις), meaning narration or narrative. It is formed from the root "dia-" (meaning through) and "egein" (meaning to lead or carry). The term refers to the act of narrating or telling a story, where the narrative is carried through the telling.

Memory Tip

Think of 'leading through' a story — 'dia-' means through, and 'egein' means to lead. This helps you remember that diegesis refers to the narrative or the act of telling a story.

Visually Confused Words