RST as Narrative Structure for Node-Based Editors

ABSTRACT

Despite Narrative Visualisation's (NarVis) proliferation in academic circles, a narrative structure designed to suit the individual challenges and needs of the discipline is yet to mature. We present both a structure and tool for NarVis that remediates narrative form and concepts using Rhetorical Structure Theory (RST). Through RST, we develop a dynamic narrative structure that avoids many of the trappings of traditional narratives. Our RST-based structure has been implemented as a node-based editor, itself part of a broader tool for generating dynamic narrative visualisations. We discuss this tool's theoretical foundations, its implementation, and demonstrate it through a narrative about COVID-19. This paper marks an important step towards establishing a clearer view of the narrative elements of NarVis. © 2021 ACM.