Generating a narrative step by step

Abstract This chapter provides a detailed example that illustrates how a computer program can employ the narrative structures defined in Chapter 4 to produce a narrative. Throughout the chapter we explain how the narrative structures are instantiated and how each of the sentences that make up the story arises. We also explain how the use of routines to manipulate text are useful for producing a better-quality output. Then we describe the main characteristics of TALE-SPIN, one of the most well-known story-generators. For instance, we explain that the system represents characters’ goals to meet physical needs, to move around the story-world, to persuade other characters to act in certain ways, and to communicate information. We end with some reflections about the scope and limitations of narrative generation based on problem-solving.