Root Narrative Theory (RNT)

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The Uses of Root Narrative Theory

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Learn More About Root Narrative Theory

Cover of "Root Narrative Theory and Conflict Resolution: Power, Justice and Values" by Solon Simmons. The cover has an all-white background. The upper half of the cover is the title and author's name, and the lower half is a simple, black graphic of roots stretching out between a straight line meant to represent the ground.

Root Narrative Theory and Conflict Resolution

By Solon Simmons

This book introduces Root Narrative Theory, a new approach for analyzing narrative, decoding moral politics, and building respect and understanding in conditions of radical disagreement.

Get the Book
Three people with blurred and shadowed silhouettes appear in the foreground of the photo. Behind them, the Jefferson Memorial in D.C. can be seen in focus. The photo takes place on a summer day, and the memorial is reflect on the blue water of the tidal basin in Washington, D.C.

What’s Your Root Narrative Profile?

Quiz

Now that you’ve learned more about Root Narrative Theory, take our quiz to find out what types of justice drive you.

Take the Quiz
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Get Coding with Root Narrative Theory

TNT Lab Guide

Want to become better at identifying root narratives in the world around you? Read our RNT Coding Guide to start building Root Narrative Profiles.

Read the Guide

Bibliography

Berger, Peter L., and Thomas Luckmann. The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge. Anchor Books, 1966.

Cobb, Sara. “Narrative Braiding and the Role of Public Officials in Transforming the Publics of Conflicts.” Narrative and Conflict: Explorations in Theory and Practice 1, no. 1 (2013): 4–30.

Monk, Gerald, and John Winslade. When Stories Clash: Addressing Conflict With Narrative Mediation. Taos Institute Publications, 2013.

Ramsbotham, Oliver. Transforming Violent Conflict: Radical Disagreement, Dialogue and Survival. London: Routledge, 2010.

Simmons, Solon. Root Narrative Theory: Power, Justice and Values. Routledge, 2020.

Page Credits

Root Narrative Theory was developed by Solon Simmons. This guide is the work of The Narrative Transformation Lab and was written by Solon Simmons and Audrey Williams.

The Root Narrative Profile quiz was developed by Solon Simmons with support from Ziad Achkar.

This material may not be reproduced elsewhere, in whole or in part, without prior permission from Solon Simmons.

Proper citation of this material is welcome.

Citation

Simmons, Solon, and Audrey Williams. “Root Narrative Theory: A Theory About Abuses of Power and How to Rectify Them.” The Narrative Transformation Lab. https://tntlab.carterschool.gmu.edu/learn/narrative-transformation-guides/guide-root-narrative-theory/

Image Credits

9/11 Photo (Defense Narrative)

This image or media file contains material based on a work of a National Park Service employee, created as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, such work is in the public domain in the United States.

de Klerk and Mandela (Unity Narrative)

Copyright World Economic Forum. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

Police in Turkey (Stability Narrative)

Photo by Mark Lowen, former BBC correspondent in Turkey. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

Don’t Tread On Me Flag (Consent Narrative)

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work prepared by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the U.S. Code. It is housed at the National Archives at College Park and is of unknown authorship.

Versailles (Property Narrative)

This work is in the public domain. It is attributed to James Eugene Farmer (1867-1915) and published in 1905 by The Century Co. (New York). The photo was digitized by Wellesley College Library.

Elon Musk (Merit Narrative)

Photo by Justin Pacheco. This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work prepared by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the U.S. Code.

Cape Town Protest (Reciprocity Narrative)

Photo by Pierre F. Lombard (September 19, 2012). Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

Donald Trump Speech (Nation Narrative)

This photo is a work of an employee of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, taken or made as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, it is in the public domain.

National Health Service Leaflet (Accountability Narrative)

This leaflet is of unknown authorship and is housed at the National Archives in the United Kingdom. As a work of the U.K. government, it is in the public domain.

Delhi Pride Parade (Recognition Narrative)

Photo by Ramesh Lalwani. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

Haitian Revolution (Liberation Narrative)

This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus 100 years or fewer. This includes the United States.

March on Washington (Inclusion Narrative)

Photo by Warren K. Leffler. This work is from the U.S. News & World Report collection at the Library of Congress. According to the library, there are no known copyright restrictions on the use of this work. It is therefore in the public domain in the United States.

Root Narrative Theory Quiz

Photo by Ron Aira, Creative Services, George Mason University.