Wikidata:WikiProject Narration

Contents

Aim

The aim of this project is to discuss, define, collect and document approaches to indicate the narrative features of stories in different media (e.g. folk tales, books, comics, films, audio plays, performances, games, etc.)

Resources

Resources about the modelling of narrative features and for informations about narration.

Models and Ontologies

• Ontological Representations of Narratives: Approach centering on "cultural archetypes"
• Drammar ontology: Character centered approach (described in Representing Dramatic Features of Stories through an Ontological Model)
• News Storyline Ontology, storyline centered approach focussing on news

Foundational Works

• Morphology of the Folk Tale (Q18405068)
• Narrative Discourse (Q45977360)

Introductions and reference works

• the living handbook of narratology

Projects

• TV Tropes (Q2537428)
• Database for literary motifs and themes (German)

Aspects of narration

Fictional entities

Characters

fictional character (Q95074), character that may be fictional (Q21070598)

Agents of the narration.

• Can be distinguished by their role in the narration (e.g. main character, minor character, point-of-view character) --> narrative role (P5800)
• Can recall certain archetypes/stereotypes --> narrative role (P5800) is currently used, maybe there should be an own property <recalls>
• Can have certain motivations and moral values
• Can have certain external and internal character traits --> Wikidata property for items about people (Q18608871). For distinctive internal character traits has quality (P1552) could be used.
• Can carry out certain actions
• Are often in a certain relationship to other characters - both as part of the storyworld (father, enemy, etc.) and as part of the narration (contrasting and corresponding characters)
• one and the same entity can have different characteristics in different works --> either qualify statements that apply (only) to a certain work via present in work (P1441) <work> or (for character versions with distinctive features) create an own item for this version of the character and link it to the original via based on (P144)/said to be the same as (P460))

Objects

• Can be a plot device, e.g. as a motivator in the story (MacGuffin (Q488733)) --> narrative role (P5800)

Story

plot (Q217086)

The events that happened in the fictional world the story is set in.

• A story can be set in a certain time and place. --> narrative location (P840), set in period (P2408) on the work item
• A narrative work can recall an archetypical story (Sun, Moon, and Talia (Q2002867), The Beauty Sleeping in the Wood (Q27134782) and Little Briar Rose (Q27134855) recall the story of Sleeping Beauty (Q11824)) --> manifestation of (P1557), maybe new property <recalls> on the work item
• The events have a certain duration

Plot

plot (Q1758354)

The events that are told in the narrative in a certain order and with a certain emphasis.

• The events told can serve a certain purpose (e.g. cliffhanger (Q665478), deus ex machina (Q203698), flashforward (Q2533706)) --> to indicate used plot devices on the item for the whole work uses (P2283) could be used, if there are items for a (chain of) event(s) (e.g. in the form of scenes or chapters) narrative role (P5800) could be used
• The events told can take a certain place in the dramatic structure (Exposition (Q2642214), <rising action>, climax (Q569250), <falling action>, denouement (Q1974893))
• The order of events told can be linear or nonlinear (nonlinear narrative (Q2894685)) --> Probably uses (P2283) can be used
• The events told have a certain duration and frequency

Narration

storyteller (Q755070)

The point of view and voice from/with which the story is told. Characteristics of the narrator can be either indicated via narrator (P2438) or, if the narrator is a character, on the item for the character.

• with a certain level of knowledge (e.g. <omniscient narrator>) --> narrator (P2438) on the work item and/or narrative role (P5800) on the character item
• from a certain point-of-view (e.g. first-person narrative (Q616622)) --> narrator (P2438) on the work item and/or narrative role (P5800) on the character item
• with a certain focus and voice (e.g. focal character (Q5463844), viewpoint character (Q15841935), stream of consciousness (Q3284176)) --> narrative role (P5800) on the character item or uses (P2283) on the work item
• with a certain attitude
• can have a certain personality (unreliable narrator (Q650118)) --> narrator (P2438) on the work item, other personality traits can be indicated on the character item
• can be part of the story (a character)

Main themes, literary themes and narrative motifs

theme (Q1053916), literary theme (Q42109240), narrative motif (Q1697305)

A narrative work can be described with respect to ideas and notions expressed in it:

• the central idea (theme (Q1053916)) --> main subject (P921) on the work item
• a common story that is given shape in this narration (literary theme (Q42109240) - e.g. Cinderella (Q11841), Tristan and Iseult (Q335367), Romeo and Juliet) --> for traditional stories (folk tales, legends, etc.) manifestation of (P1557) is currently used to express this relationship, but some work could be done in this area to find a nice way to structure things
• for narrative motifs (narrative motif (Q1697305)) --> literary motif (P6962) on the work item, can be qualified with symbolizes (P4878)
• for objects (e.g. events) described by the narration --> depicts (P180) on the work item

Intertextuality

Intertextuality (Q667404)

Narrations and fictional entities can refer to other works (and to reality).

• they can be influenced by something. --> influenced by (P737) (If applicable, inspired by (P941) should be used)
• they can be inspired by something --> inspired by (P941) (especially used for events that inspired a work, people who inspired a certain character or works another work is loosely based on)
• they can represent an entity --> fictional analog of (P1074)

• they can quote another work --> cites (P2860) (used for works mentioned in a certain narrative work), quotes work (P6166) (used for directly quoted works)

• they can be based on another work --> based on (P144) (especially used for adaptations - works a certain work is based on)

• they can be based on a work by another person --> after a work by (P1877) (especially if there is no single work by this person the work is based on (e.g. "based on characters by ..."), otherwise based on (P144) <work> is preferable)

Properties and Qualifiers

Properties

There are currently two entity types used to describe narrations: fictional entities and narrative works

Properties for fictional entities:

A fictional, mythical, folkloristic or legendary entity has to be marked as such by making it an (indirect) instance of fictional entity (Q14897293), mythical entity (Q24334685), folkloristic character (Q25810847) or legendary figure (Q13002315) (see Wikidata:WikiProject_Fictional_universes). In all other statements you can use the same properties and items that can be used in similar statements about non-fictional entities. Here are just some properties which are especially relevant for entities from stories:

Title	ID	Data type	Description	Examples	Inverse
instance of	P31	Item	instance of: every fictional entity has to be an (indirect) instance of fictional entity (Q14897293)	Reynard <instance of> fictional fox	-
present in work	P1441	Item	work: the work in whose story a certain entity appears, can be qualified with subject has role (P2868) to indicate the narrative function the character fulfills in the context of this work	Bowser <present in work> Super Mario	characters
significant person	P3342	Item	person: used to indicate the relation between characters, to be qualified with object has role (P3831)	Antonie Buddenbrook <significant person> Morten Schwarzkopf	-
narrative role	P5800	Item	the role a certain entity plays in a narration, qualified with of (P642) to indicate the work in which the entity fulfills this function (to indicate that a game character is a player character (Q1062345)/non-player character (Q466466)/boss (Q468388) use subject has role (P2868) - via discussion at Wikidata:WikiProject_Video_games (September 2018))	Anna Karenina <narrative role> protagonist	-
subject has role	P2868	Item	role: used on game characters to indicate their role in terms of game mechanics (e.g. player character (Q1062345), non-player character (Q466466), boss (Q468388)) (see discussion at Wikidata:WikiProject_Video_games (September 2018))	Guybrush Threepwood <subject has role> player character	-
appears in the form of	P4675	Item	mythical shapeshifter: form taken by this fictional entity (e.g. by shapeshifting or other forms of transformation)	Gregor Samsa <appears in the form of> insect	-
possessed by spirit	P4292	Item	spirit possession: item which is spiritually possessing this item	Janosz Poha <possessed by spirit> Vigo the Carpathian	-
superhuman feature or ability	P2563	Item	superpower and superhuman quality: superhuman, supernatural, or paranormal abilities that the subject exhibits	Scarlet Witch <superhuman feature or ability> reality warping	-
has quality	P1552	Item	quality: distinctive internal characteristics of an entity	Scrooge McDuck <has quality> parsimony	-
fictional analog of	P1074	Item	persons (or other entities) this entity is supposed to represent	Earth-that-was <fictional analog of> Earth	-
inspired by	P941	Item	persons (or other entities) that inspired a certain entity	Simon Dedalus <inspired by> John Stanislaus Joyce	-
based on	P144	Item	based on: fictional entity a certain fictional entity is derived from (for persons that inspired a certain character use inspired by (P941)	Alice <based on> Alice	derivative work
incarnation of	P3701	Item	incarnation: incarnation of another religious or supernatural being	Thirteenth Doctor <incarnation of> The Doctor	-
first appearance	P4584	Item	first appearance: work in which a fictional/mythical character or entity first appeared	Sherlock Holmes <first appearance> A Study in Scarlet	-
specific age inside fictional universe	P6249	Quantity	fictional character: age of a character within a story world, may be qualified with of (P642). Currently stated age at event (P3629) is also in use for this purpose (see qualifiers below).	Bart Simpson <specific age inside fictional universe> 10	-

If you really want to nerd out about your favorite character, consider if the following properties might apply:

Title	ID	Data type	Description	Examples	Inverse
lifestyle	P1576	Item	life style: Does your Character practice vegetarianism (Q83364) or is she an hermit (Q189829) or is he in the high society (Q17126676)? more values	Malcolm Reynolds <lifestyle> outlaw	-
medical condition	P1050	Item	health problem: Like post-traumatic stress disorder (Q202387) or claustrophobia (Q186892)	Khan Noonien Singh <medical condition> narcissism	-
political ideology	P1142	Item	political ideology: political ideology of this organization or person	Aang <political ideology> pacifism	-

Properties for narrative works:

Title	ID	Data type	Description	Examples	Inverse
characters	P674	Item	fictional character: the characters appearing in a work, can be qualified with object has role (P3831)/narrative role (P5800) (see qualifier section below) to indicate the role of a character in the narration	The Sleeping Beauty <characters> wicked fairy godmother	present in work
narrator	P2438	Item	storyteller and narrator: the character or actor narrating the story or the type of narrator used to narrate the story	The Usual Suspects <narrator> unreliable narrator	-
uses	P2283	Item	use: could be used to indicate the narrative techniques used in a work (maybe there should be an own property)	The Neverending Story <uses> story within a story	used by
narrative location	P840	Item	geographic setting of film: location a work is set in	The Man Without Qualities <narrative location> Vienna	-
set in period	P2408	Item	historical period: period a work is set in	Mephisto <set in period> 1930s	-
influenced by	P737	Item	influence: ideas, developments, disciplines, etc. that remarkably influenced a certain work	Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde <influenced by> criminology	-
inspired by	P941	Item	works, events or persons which inspired a certain work	Cyrano de Bergerac <inspired by> Cyrano de Bergerac	-
based on	P144	Item	based on: work(s) this work is derived from	Daphnis and Chloe <based on> Daphnis and Chloe	derivative work
cites	P2860	Item	citation: works a certain work refers to	1Q84 <cites> Sinfonietta	-
quotes work	P6166	Item	quotation: work this work directly quotes	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows <quotes work> 1 Corinthians 15	-
after a work by	P1877	Item	person whose work inspired a certain work	Batman & Robin <after a work by> Bob Kane	-
manifestation of	P1557	Item	manifestation: tale type another work is a manifestation of	Sun, Moon, and Talia <manifestation of> Sleeping Beauty	-
series spin-off	P2512	Item	spin-off: spin-off of this series (use plot expanded in (P5940) for other kinds of work)	All in the Family <series spin-off> Maude	-
plot expanded in	P5940	Item	sequel, prequel and tie-in: a work that expands the narrative in this work (see also series spin-off (P2512) for series); may be qualified with object has role (P3831) to specify the kind of expansion (sequel (Q261636), prequel (Q678345), tie-in (Q1187053))	Where No Man Has Gone Before <plot expanded in> To Boldly Go: Part I	-
main subject	P921	Item	topic: the main idea of a narrative work (according to sources). May be contested (in this case one can use qualifiers like statement disputed by (P1310), statement supported by (P3680))	Lolita <main subject> solipsism	-
depicts	P180	Item	matter and depiction: an object (e.g. event) described by the narration.	The Tin Drum <depicts> Kristallnacht	depicted by
literary motif	P6962	Item	narrative motif: thematic unit used to develop a theme, mood or plot. May be qualified with symbolizes (P4878)	Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde <literary motif> doppelgänger	-

Qualifiers

Often statements about fictional entities have to be restricted to a certain work. There are two properties that can be used as a qualifier for that: of (P642) and present in work (P1441). present in work (P1441) should be used mainly for facts in the storyworld of a certain narrative work, of (P642) can be used to qualify statements that should be true in our world.

Examples for properties referring to the storyworld of a certain work with qualifier present in work (P1441): date of birth (P569), occupation (P106), hair color (P1884)

Examples for properties referring to the narrative work with qualifier of (P642): performer (P175), subject has role (P2868) (when used to indicate types), contributor(s) to the creative work or subject (P767)

Title	ID	Data type	Description	Examples	Inverse
of	P642	Item	used to restrict a statement to a certain narrative work	Maleficent <narrative role> protagonist <of> Maleficent	-
present in work	P1441	Item	work: used for in-narrative facts to restrict a statement to a certain story world	Mahogany Town <population> 14 <present in work> Pokémon Gold and Silver	P-
narrative role	P5800	Item	to indicate the role a fictional entity plays in a certain narrative work, as a qualifier to characters (P674) (Please note the discussion at Property_talk:P5800 (November 6th, 2018). Currently the use as a statement seems to be preferred)	Sleeping Beauty <characters> Maleficent <narrative role> antagonist	-
object has role	P3831	Item	role: to indicate the game function of a character in a certain game (e.g. player character (Q1062345), non-player character (Q466466), boss (Q468388)), as a qualifier to characters (P674)	Life Is Strange <characters> Chloe Price <object has role> non-player character	-
relative to	P2210	Item	reference point: to indicate the entity a statement is true relative to	The Little Man <narrative role> foil <relative to> Pink Panther	-
stated age at event	P3629	Quantity	age: to indicate the age of a character in a certain work (it's uses could probably be replaced with specific age inside fictional universe (P6249) as a statement)	Bilbo Baggins <present in work> The Hobbit <stated age at event> 50	-
time index	P4895	Quantity	to indicate at what moment in a certain work (e.g. minute, chapter, fictional unit of time) a statement is true.	1Q84 <narrative location> Shibuya <time index> 3 chapter	-
symbolizes	P4878	Item	symbol: as a qualifier to present in work (P1441) or literary motif (P6962) for fictional entities or Motifs said (by appropriate sources) to represent or embody an abstract concept in a certain work.	Engywook <present in work> The Neverending Story <symbolizes> science	-

Identifiers

Identifiers that may be relevant for narratives

Title	ID	Data type	Description	Examples	Inverse
Aarne–Thompson–Uther Tale Type Index	P2540	String	Q23056296 and Aarne–Thompson classification system: index used to classify folktales	Cinderella <Aarne–Thompson–Uther Tale Type Index> 510A	-

Identifiers that may be relevant for elements of narratives.

Title	ID	Data type	Description	Examples	Inverse
Fandom Wikia article ID	P6262	External identifier	Wikia: identifier of an article on Fandom (Wikia). Format: subdomain:Page_title	Kermit the Frog <Fandom Wikia article ID> muppet:Kermit	-
Goodreads character ID	P6327	External identifier	Goodreads: identifier for a fictional character on Goodreads	Rincewind <Goodreads character ID> 26569	-
Iconclass notation	P1256	External identifier	Iconclass: Iconclass code that corresponds with an artistic theme or concept. For artworks, use P1257 (depicts Iconclass notation)	milkmaid <Iconclass notation> 47I22311	-
Comic Vine ID	P5905	External identifier	Comic Vine: identifier at the Comic Vine database of comic books, fictional characters, people, films and television series/episodes	Batman <Comic Vine ID> 4005-1699	-
TV Tropes identifier	P6839	External identifier	TV Tropes: identifier in TV Tropes	Game of Thrones <TV Tropes identifier> Series/GameOfThrones	-
MyAnimeList character ID	P4085	External identifier	MyAnimeList: identifier for a fictional character on MyAnimeList	Sagara Sanosuke <MyAnimeList character ID> 149	-
bgm.tv character identifier	P6296	External identifier	Bangumi: identifier for a character or group of characters on bgm.tv (Bangumi/Chobits)	Freyja Wion <bgm.tv character identifier> 36560	-
INDUCKS character ID	P4479	External identifier	INDUCKS: identifier for a character of the Disney Universe	Donald Duck <INDUCKS character ID> DD	-
Marvel character ID	P5621	External identifier	marvel.com: identifier for a character on the Marvel.com website	Ant-Man <Marvel character ID> 1010801	-
LGBTFansDB character ID	P6780	External identifier	identifier for a character entry on LGBT fans deserve better database	Lily Aldrin <LGBTFansDB character ID> lily-aldrin-met-mother	-
AniDB character ID	P5648	External identifier	AniDB: identifier for a character in AniDB database	Nanachi <AniDB character ID> 89866	-
Behind The Voice Actors character ID	P5107	External identifier	Behind The Voice Actors: identifier of a character from the Behind The Voice Actors website	Rei Ayanami <Behind The Voice Actors character ID> Evangelion/Rei-Ayanami	-
FFF character ID	P5620	External identifier	Fondazione Franco Fossati: identifier for a character on the Franco Fossati Foundation website	Diabolik <FFF character ID> d/diabolik	-
AnimeClick character ID	P5847	External identifier	AnimeClick: identifier of character from AnimeClick database	Son Goku <AnimeClick character ID> 5986	-
Cultureel Woordenboek identifier	P3569	External identifier	Cultureel Woordenboek: identifier for a concept in the Dutch Cultureel Woordenboek ('Cultural Dictionary')	Sisyphus <Cultureel Woordenboek identifier> mythologie/sisyfos	-
Getty Iconography Authority ID	P5986	External identifier	Getty Iconographic Authority: identifier from the Getty Iconography Authority	Shiva <Getty Iconography Authority ID> 901000021	-
CERL ID	P1871	External identifier	CERL Thesaurus: identifier in the Consortium of European Research Libraries thesaurus	Simone da Lesina Simonetta <CERL ID> cnp00166993	-
Visual Novel Database ID	P3180	External identifier	Visual Novel Database: identifier at the Visual Novel Database	Do You Like Horny Bunnies? <Visual Novel Database ID> v133	-
Giant Bomb ID	P5247	External identifier	Giant Bomb: identifier at the Giant Bomb database of video games, fictional characters and voice actors	Halo 2 <Giant Bomb ID> 3030-7110	-
GND ID	P227	External identifier	GND ID: identifier from an international authority file of names, subjects, and organizations (please don't use type n = name, disambiguation) - Deutsche Nationalbibliothek	Universe <GND ID> 4079154-3	-
VIAF ID	P214	External identifier	VIAF identifier and Virtual International Authority File: identifier for the Virtual International Authority File database [format: up to 22 digits]	Stan Lauryssens <VIAF ID> 120062731	-
NLP ID	P1695	External identifier	National Library of Poland: identifier for authority control per the National Library of Poland. Format: "A", 7 digits, "X" or another digit.	Jan Stanisław Skorupski <NLP ID> A11107844	-
SUDOC authorities ID	P269	External identifier	IdRef: identifier for authority control in the French collaborative library catalog (see also P1025). Format: 8 digits followed by a digit or "X"	Victor Hugo <SUDOC authorities ID> 026927608	-
BnF ID	P268	External identifier	BnF authorities: identifier for the subject issued by BNF (Bibliothèque nationale de France). Format: 8 digits followed by a check-digit or letter, do not include the initial 'cb'.	René Magritte <BnF ID> 123735831	-
Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID	P1417	External identifier	Encyclopædia Britannica Online: identifer for an article in the online version of Encyclopædia Britannica	Alfred Hitchcock <Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID> biography/Alfred-Hitchcock	-
Disney A to Z ID	P6181	External identifier	Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia: ID of article in online version of Disney A to Z	Mickey Mouse <Disney A to Z ID> mickey-mouse	-
Quora topic ID	P3417	External identifier	Quora: identifier for a topic on Quora (English language version)	Tim Berners-Lee <Quora topic ID> Tim-Berners-Lee	-

Missing properties and qualifiers

Should there be an own property to indicate the narrative techniques used in a work or is benutzt (P2283) sufficient?

Vocabulary

• Character types
• Plot elements and devices
• Types of narration

Examples

Some items in the field where some work was done, for inspiration and discussion (please add other interesting items if you find them):

• The Tin Drum (Q899334)
• Lolita (Q127149)
• Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Q217352)
• The Neverending Story (Q463108)
• Buddenbrooks (Q326909)
• Ulysses (Q6511) (modelling of chapters)
• 1Q84 (Q208971)
• The Decameron (Q16438)

See also the work done in Fiction WikiProjects dedicated to one work/universe, like

• WikiProject Star Trek
• WikiProject Harry Potter
• WikiProject Middle-earth

Open Questions

narrator (P2438)

narrator (P2438) is currently used for characters, actors and types of narrator. Maybe it would be better to have an own property for types of narrators.

Time

How to indicate the order of certain events

• in the chronology of a certain storyworld
• in the narration (the order in which they are narrated)

The first point is a lesser problem if the story is roughly set in our time line and there is an indication of dates (then one can simply use start time (P580), end time (P582) etc). time index (P4895) can be used to indicate time if there is a fictional system of time measurement (e.g. Stardate (Q1262613)).

The second point could be solved by being able to refer to certain passages of a work. time index (P4895) could be used for that in statements about the work (e.g. its geographic setting). It seems difficult to use in statements about fictional entities, as an entity can appear in several works and it remains unclear which one is meant (maybe one could combine both time index (P4895) and present in work (P1441) as qualifiers).

Narrative techniques and plot devices

Should there be an own property to indicate the narrative techniques used in a work or is uses (P2283) sufficient?

Characters appearing in multiple works (adaptations, spin-offs) with different characteristics

Currently there are two approaches how to deal with characters appearing in different works in which they may have different characteristics: 1) Qualify the diverging statements with present in work (P1441) and 2) create a new item for character appearances, linking the character versions via based on (P144) and said to be the same as (P460). An example for the first approach would be Jhil (Q64141306), one for the second approach would be Count Pyotr (Pierre) Bezukhov (Q55033135).

One challenge is to be still able to query for works based on events that happened there or the properties of their characters: If a character died of tuberculosis in one work it appears in but not in all, it should be possible to retrieve only the work in which the character appears and dies of tuberculosis.

The second approach may deal with this challenge generally fine, but it may involve the creation of a lot of characters with possible duplicate or missing information. There may be still the need to qualify statements with present in work (P1441) in case of characters appearing in multiple works set in the same universe.

The first approach could work following these rules:

• Every statement that is not true for all works in which the character appears should be qualified via present in work (P1441), listing all the works in which this statement is true.
• Statements that are true in all works should not be qualified.

Now, to retrieve all works in which a character dies of tuberculosis one would just need to query for all works with characters that a) have a statement cause of death (P509) tuberculosis (Q12204) without a present in work (P1441) qualifier and b) have a statement cause of death (P509) tuberculosis (Q12204) qualified with present in work (P1441) <work>.

Related WikiProjects

• Wikidata:WikiProject_Fictional_universes
• Wikidata:WikiProject_Books
• Wikidata:WikiProject_Movies
• Wikidata:WikiProject_Performing_arts
• Wikidata:WikiProject_Theatre
• Wikidata:WikiProject_Video_games

Participants

[+] Add yourself to the list

The participants listed below can be notified using the following template in discussions:

{{Ping project|Narration}}

• Valentina.Anitnelav
• Thierry Caro
• Shisma (talk)