What effect does a non-linear narrative have on reader engagement?

• A. It presents events strictly in chronological order
• B. It disrupts chronological order, encouraging reconstruction of events and increasing suspense
• C. It avoids any flashbacks
• D. It reduces thematic emphasis

Answer: (B)

A non-linear narrative reshapes when events happen rather than presenting them in a straight, chronological order. By jumping around in time—through flashbacks, foreshadowing, or multiple viewpoints—it disrupts the plain timeline, which invites readers to actively piece together what happened and why. This reconstruction work pulls readers in, heightening engagement as they infer connections, compare clues, and anticipate outcomes, so suspense builds as answers unfold. The other ideas described—sticking to a strict timeline, avoiding flashbacks, or weakening themes—don’t capture how a non-linear structure typically draws readers in through puzzle-like sequencing and layered meaning.