"Oh WASTER, there's a Lit Critter in my SOP

[Terrance]

Narratology: the theory of the structures of narrative. To investigate a
structure, one dissects (segments, factors) an object into its component
parts, and then goes on to describe the various relations that exist
between these parts. 


This definition naturally raises the question of what one means by
'narrative'. Some theorists, among them Genette, opt for a narrow
meaning, restricting narratives to verbally narrated texts; others
(Barthes 1975, Chatman 1990, Pavel 1985, Bal 1985) argue that anything
that 'tells a story' should be considered a narrative.

Narrative: anything, in the widest possible sense, that tells or
presents a story. 

Hence, narratology is concerned with all types of narratives, literary
and nonliterary, verbal as well as nonverbal. Specifically, objects of
analysis include jokes, riddles, anecdotes, novels, cartoons, plays,
films, operas, 'programme' symphonies, ballets, movies, pantomimes,
paintings, and computer games, and of course the wrapper of 'Power
Bars.'

Ultimately, the roots of narratology, like the roots of all Western
theories of fiction, go back to Plato's (428-348 BC) and Aristotle's
(384-322 BC) distinction between 'mimesis' (imitation) and 'diegesis'
(narration).

But you knew that. Didn't you? 

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