Narratological Algorithm Distillation

Transform narrative principles from artists, theorists, and practitioners into formal, implementable algorithmic frameworks.

Workflow

1. Source Classification

Identify source type to calibrate extraction approach:

| Type | Characteristics | Extraction Focus | |------|-----------------|------------------| | Theorist | Prescriptive texts (McKee, Aristotle) | Direct principle extraction | | Practitioner | Interviews, commentary, production docs | Reverse-engineering from stated methods | | Classical | Ancient/foundational texts (Poetics, Natyasastra) | Translation of archaic terminology | | Analyst | Secondary analysis of creator's work | Validation against primary sources |

2. Primary Source Prioritization

Always prioritize primary sources over secondary analysis:

Direct quotes from the creator
Production documents, interviews, lectures
The creator's own articulated methodology
Documented working processes

When using secondary sources, validate principles against primary evidence. Flag where principles are inferred vs. directly stated.

3. Principle Extraction Protocol

For each identified principle:

EXTRACT:
  1. Locate source statement (direct quote when available)
  2. Identify underlying mechanism (why it works)
  3. Formulate as rule or constraint
  4. Determine scope (universal vs. context-specific)
  5. Map to existing narrative theory where applicable

4. Document Structure

Generate output following the canonical structure. See references/output-template.md for the full template.

Required sections:

Meta-Principles (Axioms)
Structural Hierarchy
Core Algorithms/Protocols
Diagnostic Questions/Tests
Quick Reference Card

Optional sections (as warranted):

Episode/Scene Templates
Theoretical Correspondence Tables
Source Cross-Reference Appendix

5. Formalization Patterns

Convert principles to implementable forms:

| Source Form | Target Form | |-------------|-------------| | Conceptual statement | Constraint rule | | Process description | Pseudocode function | | Best practice | Validity test | | Comparison | Decision table | | Taxonomy | Classification tree |

See references/formalization-patterns.md for detailed examples.

6. Axiom Identification

Identify 3-7 meta-principles that underpin the creator's entire approach:

AXIOM_CRITERIA:
  - Foundational (other principles derive from it)
  - Non-negotiable in the creator's worldview
  - Distinguishes this approach from alternatives
  - Stated explicitly or demonstrated consistently

Format axioms with unique identifiers: [CREATOR_INITIALS]-A[N]

7. Validation Checks

Before finalizing, verify:

[ ] All principles traceable to source material
[ ] Pseudocode is syntactically coherent
[ ] Decision tables have complete coverage
[ ] Quick reference captures essential operations
[ ] Diagnostic questions are answerable yes/no
[ ] Theoretical correspondences are accurate

8. Cross-Medium Adaptation Notes

When source material is medium-specific, include adaptation guidance for:

Film → Television (serialization, episode structure)
Literature → Interactive (agency, branching)
Single creator → Collaborative (writers' room dynamics)
Western → Non-Western theoretical traditions

Reference Files

references/output-template.md — Full document structure template
references/formalization-patterns.md — Examples of converting prose to algorithms
references/theoretical-correspondences.md — Mapping table across narrative traditions