A frame story, also known as a frame tale, frame narrative, sandwich narrative, or intercalation, is a literary technique that serves as a companion piece to a story within a story. In a frame story, an introductory or main narrative sets the stage either for a more emphasized second narrative or for a set of shorter stories. The frame story leads readers from a first story into one or more other stories within it. The main purpose of a frame story is to provide important context and key information for understanding the larger story.
- A frame story is a narrative that frames or surrounds another story or set of stories.
- It usually appears at the beginning and end of the larger story.
- The frame story may also be used to inform readers about aspects of the secondary narrative(s) that may otherwise be hard to understand.
- This should not be confused with narrative structure.
- A frame story is a literary device that acts as a convenient conceit to organize a set of smaller narratives.
- Sometimes a story within the main narrative encapsulates some aspect of the framing story, in which case it is called a mise.
