Account vs. Narration — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
An Account is a report or description of an event or experience, while Narration is the act or process of telling a story. An Account emphasizes facts, whereas Narration involves storytelling.
Difference Between Account and Narration
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term Account primarily refers to a report or description of an event or experience. It emphasizes factual details and objective information. For example, a news article may provide an Account of a recent event. On the other hand, Narration is rooted in the act or process of telling a story. It involves characters, plots, and often personal perspectives, providing not just facts but a flow that guides the reader or listener through the events.
Another perspective to consider is the purpose of both terms. Account usually aims to convey specific information, often in a formal or structured manner. It may be concise and to the point, focusing on the key details without unnecessary embellishments. Narration, meanwhile, is more about crafting a cohesive story, often with elements of creativity, emotions, and personal touches. It shapes the way the audience perceives the sequence of events.
In terms of structure, an Account might be straightforward, following a linear progression of events or listing details in order of importance. Narration, in contrast, could be non-linear, using flashbacks, foreshadowing, or other storytelling techniques to create a more intricate and layered story.
Usage in different contexts also differentiates Account and Narration. For instance, in business, an "account" could refer to a record of financial transactions, while in literature, "narration" refers to the method by which the story is conveyed to the reader. Overall, while both terms involve conveying information or events, Account is more objective and fact-based, and Narration is more about storytelling.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A report or description of an event or experience.
The act or process of telling a story.
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Grammatical Use
Noun
Noun
Focus
Facts and objectivity
Storytelling and perspective
Common Contexts
News reports, business records, factual descriptions
Novels, films, oral storytelling
Sample Sentence Use
"The newspaper gave an accurate Account of the incident."
"Her Narration captivated the audience, making them eager for more."
Compare with Definitions
Account
An arrangement with a store or business for the delivery of goods or services.
I have an Account with that online retailer.
Narration
A commentary spoken in a film or broadcast.
The wildlife documentary had a soothing Narration.
Account
Consideration of a particular factor in reasoning or discussion.
Taking all factors into Account, we decided to postpone the event.
Narration
The part of a literary work that provides the background information.
The Narration in the novel set the tone for the climax.
Account
A narrative or record of events.
Narration
The method by which a story's events are conveyed to the audience.
The film used first-person Narration to provide an intimate feel.
Account
A reason given for a particular action or event
What is the account for this loss?.
Narration
The process of giving a spoken account of something.
His Narration of the event brought tears to our eyes.
Account
A report relating to one's conduct
Gave a satisfactory account of herself.
Narration
Narration is the use of a written or spoken commentary to convey a story to an audience. Narration is conveyed by a narrator: a specific person or unspecified literary voice, developed by the creator of the story, to deliver information to the audience, particularly about the plot (the series of events).
Account
A basis or ground
No reason to worry on that account.
Narration
The act, process, or an instance of narrating.
Account
A formal banking, brokerage, or business relationship established to provide for regular services, dealings, and other financial transactions.
Narration
Narrated material.
Account
A precise list or enumeration of financial transactions.
Narration
The act of recounting or relating in order the particulars of some action, occurrence, or affair; a narrating.
Account
A sum of money deposited for checking, savings, or brokerage use.
Narration
That which is narrated or recounted; an orderly recital of the details and particulars of some transaction or event, or of a series of transactions or events; a story or narrative.
Account
A customer having a business or credit relationship with a firm
Salespeople visiting their accounts.
Narration
(rhetoric) That part of an oration in which the speaker makes his or her statement of facts.
Account
A private access to a computer system or online service, usually requiring a password to enter.
Narration
The act of telling or relating the particulars of an event; a recital of certain events, usually in chronological order; rehearsal.
Account
Worth, standing, or importance
A landowner of some account.
Narration
That which is related; the relation in words or writing of the particulars of any transaction or event, or of any series of transactions or events; a narrative; story; history.
Account
Profit or advantage
Turned her writing skills to good account.
Narration
That part of a discourse which recites the time, manner, or consequences of an action, or simply states the facts connected with the subject.
Account
To consider as being; deem. See Usage Note at as1.
Narration
A message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program;
His narrative was interesting
Disney's stories entertain adults as well as children
Account
(accounting) A registry of pecuniary transactions; a written or printed statement of business dealings or debts and credits, and also of other things subjected to a reckoning or review.
Narration
The act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events;
His narration was hesitant
Account
(banking) A bank account.
Narration
(rhetoric) the second section of an oration in which the facts are set forth
Account
A statement in general of reasons, causes, grounds, etc., explanatory of some event; a reason of an action to be done.
No satisfactory account has been given of these phenomena.
Narration
The act or process of telling a story or describing a sequence of events.
The Narration in the documentary was insightful and engaging.
Account
A reason, grounds, consideration, motive; a person's sake.
Don't trouble yourself on my account.
On no account
On every account
On all accounts
Account
A record of events; a relation or narrative.
An account of a battle.
Account
An estimate or estimation; valuation; judgment.
Account
Importance; worth; value; esteem; judgement.
Account
Authorization as a specific registered user in accessing a system.
I've opened an account with Wikipedia so that I can contribute and partake in the project.
Account
(archaic) A reckoning; computation; calculation; enumeration; a record of some reckoning.
Account
(uncountable) Profit; advantage.
The young man soon turned his woodworking skills to some account.
Account
To provide explanation.
Account
To present an account of; to answer for, to justify.
Account
To give an account of financial transactions, money received etc.
Account
(transitive) To estimate, consider (something to be as described).
Account
(intransitive) To consider that.
Account
(intransitive) To give a satisfactory evaluation for financial transactions, money received etc.
An officer must account with or to the treasurer for money received.
Account
(intransitive) To give a satisfactory evaluation for (one's actions, behaviour etc.); to answer for.
We must account for the use of our opportunities.
Account
(intransitive) To give a satisfactory reason for; to explain.
Idleness accounts for poverty.
Account
(intransitive) To establish the location for someone.
After the crash, not all passengers were accounted for.
Account
(intransitive) To cause the death, capture, or destruction of someone or something (+ for).
Account
To count.
Account
To calculate, work out (especially with periods of time).
Account
(obsolete) To count (up), enumerate.
Account
(obsolete) To recount, relate (a narrative etc.).
Account
A reckoning; computation; calculation; enumeration; a record of some reckoning; as, the Julian account of time.
A beggarly account of empty boxes.
Account
A registry of pecuniary transactions; a written or printed statement of business dealings or debts and credits, and also of other things subjected to a reckoning or review; as, to keep one's account at the bank.
Account
A statement in general of reasons, causes, grounds, etc., explanatory of some event; as, no satisfactory account has been given of these phenomena. Hence, the word is often used simply for reason, ground, consideration, motive, etc.; as, on no account, on every account, on all accounts.
Account
A statement of facts or occurrences; recital of transactions; a relation or narrative; a report; a description; as, an account of a battle.
Account
A statement and explanation or vindication of one's conduct with reference to judgment thereon.
Give an account of thy stewardship.
Account
An estimate or estimation; valuation; judgment.
Account
Importance; worth; value; advantage; profit.
This other part . . . makes account to find no slender arguments for this assertion out of those very scriptures which are commonly urged against it.
Account
To reckon; to compute; to count.
The motion of . . . the sun whereby years are accounted.
Account
To place to one's account; to put to the credit of; to assign; - with to.
Account
To value, estimate, or hold in opinion; to judge or consider; to deem.
Accounting that God was able to raise him up.
Account
To recount; to relate.
Account
To render or receive an account or relation of particulars; as, an officer must account with or to the treasurer for money received.
Account
To render an account; to answer in judgment; - with for; as, we must account for the use of our opportunities.
Account
To give a satisfactory reason; to tell the cause of; to explain; - with for; as, idleness accounts for poverty.
Newer was preaching more accounted of than in the sixteenth century.
Account
A formal contractual relationship established to provide for regular banking or brokerage or business services;
He asked to see the executive who handled his account
Account
The act of informing by verbal report;
He heard reports that they were causing trouble
By all accounts they were a happy couple
Account
A record or narrative description of past events;
A history of France
He gave an inaccurate account of the plot to kill the president
The story of exposure to lead
Account
A short account of the news;
The report of his speech
The story was on the 11 o'clock news
The account of his speech that was given on the evening news made the governor furious
Account
A statement of recent transactions and the resulting balance;
They send me an accounting every month
Account
A statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.;
The explanation was very simple
I expected a brief account
Account
An itemized statement of money owed for goods shipped or services rendered;
He paid his bill and left
Send me an account of what I owe
Account
Grounds;
Don't do it on my account
The paper was rejected on account of its length
He tried to blame the victim but his success on that score was doubtful
Account
Importance or value;
A person of considerable account
He predicted that although it is of small account now it will rapidly increase in importance
Account
The quality of taking advantage;
She turned her writing skills to good account
Account
Be the sole or primary factor in the existence, acquisition, supply, or disposal of something;
Passing grades account for half of the grades given in this exam
Account
Keep an account of
Account
To give an account or representation of in words;
Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental
Account
Furnish a justifying analysis or explanation;
I can't account for the missing money
Account
A report or description of a particular event or experience.
His Account of the journey was thrilling and detailed.
Account
A record of financial transactions.
Please send me the Account statement for last month.
Account
A person's view or judgment on a particular matter.
By her Account, the meeting went well.
Common Curiosities
Which term, Account or Narration, is more likely to be objective?
Account tends to be more objective, focusing on factual details.
Can Narration be considered a type of Account?
While both convey events, Narration is more storytelling, whereas Account is more factual.
Is an Account always based on real events?
Not necessarily; an Account can be of real or fictional events, but it emphasizes facts.
How is Narration used in literature?
Narration in literature refers to the method of conveying the story to the reader.
How does Narration differ from Account?
Narration is about telling a story, while Account emphasizes factual details.
How does the focus of Account differ from that of Narration in literature?
In literature, Account might provide a factual basis, while Narration crafts the story's flow.
What does Account primarily refer to?
Account refers to a report or description of an event or experience.
Can a business ledger be considered Narration?
Typically, a business ledger is an Account of financial transactions, not a story.
Is third-person perspective a type of Narration?
Yes, third-person is one of the perspectives used in Narration.
Can an Account be subjective?
Yes, an Account can contain personal perspectives but typically emphasizes facts.
Can an Account be fictional?
Yes, while Accounts emphasize facts, they can describe fictional events.
Are there any similarities between Account and Narration?
Both involve conveying information or events, but their approaches and focuses differ.
Is Narration exclusive to literature?
No, Narration is found in various mediums like films, oral storytelling, and documentaries.
Is every Narration considered a story?
Generally, yes. Narration involves telling a story, whether factual or fictional.
In what context might I encounter Account outside of reporting events?
Outside of events, Account can refer to records of financial transactions or business dealings.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
