What is the "stream of consciousness" narrative technique?

The "stream of consciousness" narrative technique is accurately described by presenting a character's flow of thoughts and feelings. This method allows readers to immerse themselves in the internal experiences of a character, capturing a continuous, often non-linear progression of thoughts. The technique mimics the natural thought processes of an individual, often moving quickly from one idea to another, reflecting the complexities and nuances of the human mind.

In contrast, a structured plot following a linear timeline focuses on events occurring in a sequential order, which is not characteristic of stream of consciousness writing. Techniques that concentrate on external actions rather than inner thoughts prioritize observable behavior over the introspective thought process central to stream of consciousness. Similarly, a format where multiple perspectives are combined may present various viewpoints but does not necessarily delve deeply into the internal dialogue and emotional experiences of a single character, which is vital in stream of consciousness technique.