THE NARRATIVE MODE CAN BEST BE UNDERSTOOD THROUGH A STUDY OF THE CONVENTIONS WHICH SHAPE A STORY'S FORM AND SUBSTANCE. OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE IN PERCEIVING THE INTENTION OF THE NARRATIVE IS TO LOOK AT THE CONVENTION OF POINT OF VIEW--THE "DOCUMENTARY,""FIRST-PERSON-SINGULAR,""OMNISCIENT-AUTHOR,""MIDDLE-GROUND," AND "STREAM-OF-CONSCIOUSNESS." ALSO CONTROLLING THE WAY THE STORY IS TOLD ARE SUCH CONVENTIONS OF STYLE AND SUBJECT AS THE FLASHBACK, WITHHELD INFORMATION, AND CHARACTER SCHEMATIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT. AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SUB-TYPES OF THE MODE--THE REALISTIC NOVEL, THE NON-REALISTIC ROMANCE, THE ROMANCE-GOTHIC, THE TALE OR SHORT STORY, AND A CREATIVE AMALGAM OF THE NOVEL AND ROMANCE FORMS--AND AN AWARENESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH WRITERS USE THESE FORMS CAN FURTHER CLARIFY THE STORYTELLER'S INTENTIONS. SEE ALSO ED 010 129 THROUGH ED 010 160, ED 010 803 THROUGH ED 010 832, TE 000 195 THROUGH TE 000 220, AND TE 000 227 THROUGH TE 000 249. (JB)