Constructing parallel narratives in cartographic storytelling

Abstract

This thesis aims to provide an understanding on how parallel narratives can be applied in cartographic storytelling. An increase in research on cartographic storytelling has outlined techniques and structures used to convey stories. This thesis will expand upon this research and focus on the presentation of parallel narratives in cartographic stories. Parallel narratives are widely used in both literature and film and are defined as the presentation of multiple narratives in one story. The narratives are linked by a common theme and often present opposing views or sides to one story. Design elements and structures in both visual/cartographic storytelling and parallel narratives will be presented in order to understand what design elements and structures are important in cartographic parallel narrative stories. Through a qualitative content analysis of existing examples of parallel narratives in cartographic stories a typology of parallel narratives in cartographic stories is presented. The typology of parallel narratives helps to describe the various structure and presentation of parallel narratives in cartographic stories. A case study further examines how certain elements of a visual story contribute to the display of a parallel narrative in a cartographic storytelling.