narrator

This term identifies the voice that mediates the story, acting as the bridge between the plot and the audience. It is distinct from the author, as the narrator is a constructed persona who may be reliable or intentionally deceptive, creating a layer of psychological distance between the creator and the tale. In modern media, the term often evokes the image of a disembodied voice-over in a documentary or film, adding a sense of authority or guiding perspective. It carries a professional or structural connotation, focusing on the delivery of the sequence of events rather than the act of writing itself.