Besides these misunderstandings, a number of essays and research studies indicate their attempt to further develop the narrative paradigm in a variety of contexts. For example, McClure (2009) revised the narrative paradigm to include new narratives by “reconceptualizing Burke 's concept of identification” to a larger framework. He provides a “better account for narrative possibilities” (p. 200). While Fisher had no intention of “constraining” the narrative paradigm, McClure was able to identify a gap in the theory and reason for the inclusion of “new narratives, the rhetorical revision for old narratives, and the appeal and acceptance of improbable narrative accounts” via his conceptual revision (p. 191). Thus, the construction …show more content…
Through storytelling she exemplifies “how racial and environmental inequalities materialize and to what effect”, while at the same time advancing the narrative in this context (p. 68).
Moving into health communication, Kreuter, Green, Cappella, Slater, Wise, et al. (2007), use four types of narrative forms in communication -such as “overcoming resistance, facilitating information processing, providing connections, and assisting emotional distress”- as a preventive tool for “cancer prevention and control” (p. 222). Likewise, Papathomas, Williams, & Smith (2015) present three narratives in a qualitative study to describe individual’s experiences with spinal injuries.
The Use of Narrative in Health …show more content…
3). Narratives participate in the construction of our world as they circulate information. In the case above, the research professionals were able to incorporate role-model stories as practical knowledge. It was vital for the individuals to receive such information in a “nonthreatening manner”- in comparison with “statistical or didactic health communication”- because they then are able to notably preserve it (Berkley-Patton et al., 2009, p. 200). Well-organized stories, especially those that have emotional appeals, are memorable. For the individuals in this study, the narratives “[fostered] identification with story characters and experiences, [engaged] recipients with storyline messages, [appealed] to personal values and interests, [reduced] counterarguments against key messages, and [improved] information retention” (p.200).
In recap, the narrative paradigm, a narrative is more efficacious than argument because “it comes closer to capturing the experience of the world” (Fisher, 1984, p. 14). For the African American culture, “role-model stories are akin to the storytelling heritage” (Berkley-Patton et al., 2009, p. 201). At the end of their study, Berkley-Patton et. al (2009), argue “future studies on role-model story effectiveness with diverse populations are needed” (p.