What film technique did Edwin S. Porter popularize?

Edwin S. Porter is most recognized for popularizing continuity editing, a technique that ensures a seamless and logical flow of the narrative within a film. This approach helps maintain spatial and temporal coherence, allowing viewers to easily follow the story without confusion. Porter's work, particularly in films such as "The Great Train Robbery," showcased how continuity editing can be used to connect different shots and scenes, maintaining the storyline while guiding the audience through the film's progression.

This technique was essential in the evolution of narrative cinema, as it provided a structured way to tell stories visually. While other editing techniques, such as montage editing or jump cuts, offer different kinds of narrative styles, continuity editing was central to establishing a clear and cohesive storytelling approach in early cinema, and Porter's contributions were instrumental in setting this standard.