Master Narrative

Master narrative, metanarrative, metadis-course, and grand narrative, as expounded by the French philosopher Jean-Francois Lyotard (1924–98), are broadly synonymous terms which refer to totalizing social theories or philosophies of history which, appealing to notions of transcendental and universal truth, purport to offer a comprehensive account of knowledge and experience. “Meta” means beyond or about, and therefore here refers to all-encompassing Narratives which explain other, smaller narratives. Lyotard's account of metanarratives and their demise is a founding element of PostModernism.

Term used by Jay Rosen to describe the Framing of a (Journalism) story around a single view (Narrative). (Presidential Election as Horse Race.)