compelling narratives

Meaning

1. 1phraseplural

   stories or accounts that are so interesting or convincing that they hold people's attention

   Grammar: This is a plural noun phrase; the singular is 'a compelling narrative'. It is usually countable: one narrative, several narratives.

   Patterns

   • create compelling narratives
   • tell compelling narratives
   • compelling narratives about something

   The documentary uses compelling narratives to explain the science of climate change.

   Brands that succeed online often build compelling narratives around their products.

   Her book weaves together compelling narratives from ordinary people caught up in the war.

Word forms

Common combinations

create compelling narratives

Good teachers create compelling narratives that make history feel alive.

tell compelling narratives

The best journalists tell compelling narratives without inventing facts.

compelling narratives about

The exhibition presents compelling narratives about migration.

build compelling narratives

Marketing teams build compelling narratives to connect with customers.

Synonyms and how they differ

gripping stories

Similar meaning, but 'gripping' is more emotional and informal than 'compelling'.

persuasive accounts

Focuses on convincing the reader rather than holding their attention; used more in academic writing.

Opposites

Word family

compel verb

To force someone to do something, or to make attention certain.

compellingly adverb

In a way that holds attention or convinces strongly.

narrative noun

A story or a particular way of explaining events.

Commonly confused: compelling narratives or compulsory?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “compelling narratives”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words