Unrestricted & Restricted Narration

Restricted Narration

Unrestricted narration gives as much information as possible to the audience. Restricted narration limits the information it provides the viewer to things known only to a single character. This approach encourages the viewer to identify with the character’s singular perspective. Restricted narration limits the viewer to what characters know, which helps create greater curiosity in the viewer and can lead to surprise.

 Unrestricted Narration

Restricted narration only offers minimal information regarding the narrative which helps the audience create enigmas and offer shock points. Unrestricted narration has unrestricted access to all aspects of the narrative. It can provide any character’s experiences and perceptions, as well as information that no character has. The viewer knows more, sees more, and hears more than any of the characters. Unrestricted narration is when the viewer knows more than the character, which helps build suspense.