non-linear
Skipping around unpredictably
Non-linear describes something that doesn't follow a straight line or predictable sequence.
A non-linear narrative jumps between time periods rather than proceeding chronologically.
In mathematics, non-linear equations produce curves rather than straight lines when graphed.
The term often suggests complexity or unpredictability: Career paths are rarely linear anymore—mine has been completely non-linear.
Complete disorder and confusion
- feedbackReturned response data
- bifurcationDivision into two branches
- attractorConvergence point for systems
- emergenceComing into existence
self-organization · complexity · turbulence · oscillation · perturbation · threshold · equilibrium · dynamics
Increasing by constant ratio
- logarithmicBased on exponents
- polynomialExpression with variable terms
- quadraticInvolving squared terms
- calculusMathematical analysis system
curve · parabola · asymptote · regression · interpolation · extrapolation · sigmoid · hyperbolic
Involuntary past memory
- foreshadowingHinting at later events
- stream-of-consciousnessNarrative of unfiltered thought
- fracturedSplit or splintered
- episodicOccurring in distinct segments
disjointed · retrospective · elliptical · vignette · mosaic · interwoven · fragmented · nonchronological
Severance or reduction
- spliceJoin end to end
- montageAssembled sequence of images
- juxtapositionAdjacent contrasting placement
- intercutAlternate between scenes
crosscut · jump-cut · assembly · timeline · sequence · rearrange · reorder · continuity
Of the side
- divergentDeviating from the norm
- creativeProducing original ideas
- intuitiveKnown without reasoning
- holisticAddressing interconnected wholes
associative · brainstorming · unconventional · innovative · exploratory · tangential · freeform · imaginative
chaos
Complete disorder and confusion
- feedbackReturned response data
- bifurcationDivision into two branches
- attractorConvergence point for systems
emergence · self-organization · complexity · turbulence · oscillation · perturbation · threshold · equilibrium · dynamics · sensitivity
exponential
Increasing by constant ratio
- logarithmicBased on exponents
- polynomialExpression with variable terms
- quadraticInvolving squared terms
calculus · curve · parabola · asymptote · regression · interpolation · extrapolation · sigmoid · hyperbolic · cubic
flashback
Involuntary past memory
- foreshadowingHinting at later events
- stream-of-consciousnessNarrative of unfiltered thought
- fracturedSplit or splintered
episodic · disjointed · retrospective · elliptical · vignette · mosaic · interwoven · fragmented · nonchronological · parallel
cut
Severance or reduction
- spliceJoin end to end
- montageAssembled sequence of images
- juxtapositionAdjacent contrasting placement
intercut · crosscut · jump-cut · assembly · timeline · sequence · rearrange · reorder · continuity · footage
lateral
Of the side
holistic · associative · brainstorming · unconventional · innovative · exploratory · tangential · freeform · imaginative · unstructured
- film timeflashback, flash forward, flash-forward, time lapse, time-lapse
- video gamesvideo games, gameplay, Fortnite, mobile game, arcade
- arrangementsarrangement, orchestration, arranged, array, configuration
- improvisationimprovised, impromptu, ad lib, freestyle, ad-lib
- postmodernismdeconstruction, metafiction, hyperreality, pastiche, metanarrative
non-linearlinear
Arranged in straight succession
straight · proportional · straight-line · first-order · rectilinear
non-linearlinear
Arranged in straight succession
chronological · sequential · straightforward · linear narrative · straight
non-linearlinear
Arranged in straight succession
straightforward · predictable · simple · proportional · direct