Narrative Interview

What is a Narrative Interview?

A narrative interview is an interview format that prompts the other person to narrate freely and coherently. Instead of narrowly framed questions, an open narrative prompt is at the center.

Narrative Interview in Detail

The narrative interview originally comes from qualitative social research and aims to let people narrate as freely and uninfluenced as possible. The interviewing person holds back with questions and instead prompts a coherent narration (for example: “Just tell me how it came about …”). Only afterward do deepening follow-up questions follow. The aim is to capture perspectives, experiences, and interpretations in the language and logic of the narrating person – without steering them through narrow questions. In journalism and corporate communication, narrative elements are used to gain authentic, personal stories that touch and seem credible. For the narrating person, the narrative interview offers a lot of room but also carries the risk of digressing or revealing more than intended. Those who narrate should know their central points and hold the common thread without losing naturalness.

In practice, the narrative interview prompts free, coherent narration: the interviewing person holds back with questions and opens with a narrative prompt; only afterward do deepening follow-up questions follow. The aim is to capture perspectives, experiences, and interpretations in the language and logic of the narrating person, without steering them through narrow questions. In journalism and corporate communication, narrative elements are used to gain authentic, personal stories that touch and seem credible. For the narrating person, this offers a lot of room but carries the risk of digressing or revealing more than intended. It is proven practice to keep the common thread and your own central points in view without losing naturalness.

How does a Narrative Interview work?

The narrative interview prompts free, coherent narration in order to capture experiences and perspectives undistorted. Only after the narration do follow-up questions follow. For narrators: a lot of room, but keep the common thread and the central points in view.

Narrative Interview – Examples in Practice

In response to an open prompt, a founder freely narrates her company story. A researcher lets a contemporary witness recount her experiences coherently. A journalist gains a personal, touching story through narrative elements.

Narrative Interview: Key Features at a Glance

• Principle: free, coherent narration
• Role: a restrained, open narrative prompt
• Origin: qualitative social research
• Benefit: authentic, personal stories
• Risk: digressing, unintended revealing

Related Terms

• Biographical Interview
• Interview Formats
• Personal Interview
• Problem-Centered Interview
• Expert Interview

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Narrative Interview: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a narrative interview?

An interview format that prompts free, coherent narration – instead of narrowly framed questions, an open narrative prompt is at the center.

Where does the narrative interview come from?

Originally from qualitative social research, where it is meant to let people narrate as freely and uninfluenced as possible.

What are narrative interviews used for?

To capture experiences and perspectives undistorted and to gain authentic, personal stories that touch and seem credible.

What should you watch for as a narrator?

The common thread and your own central points – the large narrative room easily tempts you to digress or to reveal more than intended.