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“Story of Your Life,” a speculative science fiction short story by Ted Chiang, was first published in the Starlight 2 anthology series in 1998. It tells the story of linguist Louise Banks as she attempts to communicate with alien beings that have mysteriously arrived on earth. Louise’s perception of time becomes profoundly altered as she learns more about the aliens and their written language. “Story of Your Life” was critically acclaimed upon its release and was republished in Chaing’s 2002 short story collection, Stories of Your Life and Others. It was later adapted into the 2016 feature film, Arrival.
Read our full plot summary of “Story of Your Life.”
See a complete list of the characters in “Story of Your Life” and in-depth analyses of Louise Banks and Colonel Weber.
Here's where you will find analysis of the key literary devices in “Story of Your Life.”
Find the quotes from “Story of Your Life” you need to support your essay or refresh your memory.
Enhance your understanding of “Story of Your Life” by learning about Ted Chiang and related works on SparkNotes.
