Narrative Writing: Register

The term “register” in narrative writing refers to the level of formality or informality used in the narrative depending on the target audience, subject matter and context.
Understanding your audience is key to determining the appropriate register. For example, a narrative intended for young children will require a different register than a narrative aimed at adults.
The various elements that contribute to the register include vocabulary selection, grammatical structure, tone, and style.
A formal register is often used in academic, professional, and technical literature. It uses more complex sentence structure, elevated vocabulary, and maintains an objective tone.
An informal register, on the other hand, is used in everyday conversation and personal narratives. It is characterized by simpler sentence structures, casual vocabulary, and can contain colloquial language and slang.
Vary the register within a narrative to engage different audiences, reflect the diversity of characters, and show changes in mood, setting, and action.
A narrative can even mix registers, for example, a contemporary narrative might mix formal language for professional settings with informal language for personal interactions alongside.
Be careful to avoid inappropriate register shifts. Such shifts can be jarring for the audience, disrupting their engagement with the text.
Strive for consistency but also remember the power of strategic register shifts to create emphasis, contrast, or mood.
Practice writing in different registers to improve your proficiency and flexibility as a creative writer. This will enable you to adapt your style to suit varying narrative requirements.