narration

noun

1 the first chapter is taken up with a narration of past events in his life:

account, narrative, story, tale, chronicle, description, portrayal, report, sketch, recital, recitation, rehearsal;

telling, relation, story telling, chronicling, detailing;

rare recountal.

2 he introduces the story with a narration that sets the tone for the entire film:

voice-over, reading, commentary.