Understanding and Communicating Through Narratives

<p>The military is increasingly using and relying on the term narrative in its lexicon. United States strategic guidance documents generally implore commanders to shape the narrative doctrinal publications recommend commanders to exploit a single narrative and operational plans direct commanders to execute an operational narrative. Although the concept of narrative is generally understood as telling a story it is more important for practitioners to recognize narrative as a methodology for understanding and as a mode of communication. Integrating a narrative approach to military operations would be beneficial because it offers the potential to convey the meaning of our actions in a context that is relevant to a rival's understanding. A survey of current U.S. doctrine provides multiple and ambiguous definitions and functions of narrative. A shared understanding of narrative is required to prevent misunderstanding as future military commanders contemplate executing operations within a narrative framework. Specifically this monograph will provide an analysis of the current military narrative development narrative theory and explore the current paradigm of U.S. communication efforts. Lastly based on shared understanding this monograph provides with regard to the utility of narrative in planning and communications it makes recommendations on potential application narrative theory to military operations. This monograph argues that the absence of understanding about what narrative is and what it can do limits the military's ability to utilize the tool effectively. Applying narrative theory to military planning and communicating activities will make messages and actions consonant with and part of military operations.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>