1. not telling a story or not having the characteristics of a narrative
Usage: literary criticism; academic

Examples

• The artist’s nonnarrative paintings focused on abstract forms rather than depicting events.
• Poetry can be either narrative or nonnarrative in structure.
• The documentary took a nonnarrative approach, presenting facts without a chronological storyline.
• Many modern films experiment with nonnarrative techniques.
• The museum featured nonnarrative art that emphasized color and texture over storytelling.
• Her nonnarrative writing style challenged traditional literary conventions.