Exam 24: Narrative Paradigm

Fisher believes that people have a natural tendency to prefer truthful and humane stories over stories lacking those characteristics.

Fisher uses the term ''_____'' to refer to the quality of a story that causes the words to strike a responsive chord in the life of the listener.

A story that makes rational sense but doesn't align with our values is said to have ________ but lacks ________.

Fisher defines ________ as "symbolic actions-words and/or deeds-that have sequence and meaning for those who live, create, or interpret them."

Fisher uses the term ''_____'' to refer to a conceptual framework that calls for people to view events through a common interpretive lens.

Compare and contrast the rational-world and narrative paradigms.

The narrative paradigm sees the world as a collection of logical puzzles that we can solve through rational analysis.

Fisher maintains that offering good reasons has more to do with telling a compelling story than it does with piling up evidence or constructing a tight argument.

Fisher believes that stories can be evaluated using the twin standards of:

We seldom judge the coherence of a story by comparing it with other stories we have heard that deal with the same theme.

According to Fisher's narrative paradigm, rationality is determined by how much we know and how well we argue.

How does Fisher's narrative paradigm relate to the stories told and stories lived of coordinated management of meaning?

A story has narrative fidelity when it provides a logic of good reasons to guide our future actions.

How might Geertz and Pacanowsky (and Philipsen) respond to Fisher's narrative paradigm?

How would Burke respond to Fisher's criteria for narrative rationality? What are the good reasons behind the scapegoat and victimage? How might he respond to the story of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz?

Fisher argues that an ideal audience will be convinced by how concisely and rationally a speaker argues.

Discuss and critique Fisher's definition of narration.

Fisher believes that everyone applies the same standards of narrative rationality to whatever stories he or she hears.

Fisher argues that only very few types of communication are either purely descriptive or didactic.

For Fisher, what is the difference between good reasons and argument? Do you find this difference compelling?