Base120 · Recursion

Nested Narratives

RE · Recursion

Structure information as stories within stories for depth and memorability

Model code
RE4
Transformation
RE (Recursion) — Improve iteratively through feedback, reflection, and self-referential refinement.
Priority
4 of 20
Framework
HUMMBL Base120 — 120 mental models across 6 transformations

When to use

"Use when communicating complex information that needs both depth and memorability. Structure information as stories within stories — an outer frame provides context, inner stories provide detail."

Example

"A case study (outer story) about a company's transformation contains within it the story of a specific decision (inner story), which contains within it the story of a specific conversation (innermost story). The nesting provides depth at each level."

Common misuse

"Nesting so deeply that the reader loses the thread. Nested narratives require clear transitions between levels; without them, the structure confuses rather than illuminates."

Also known as

Story-within-a-StoryNested Narrative

Related models

P8RE5CO20