11 Narrative

Question 1

What is narrative?

Answer 1

A sequence of connected events.

Question 2

What is a linear narrative?

Answer 2

A narrative that follows a straight line. Events are presented in chronological order.

Question 3

What is a non-linear narrative?

Answer 3

A narrative that does not follow a straight line. Media technology provides the ability to manipulate time and space.

Question 4

A narrative that follows a straight line is called what?

Answer 4

A linear narrative.

Question 5

A narrative that does not follow a straight line is called what?

Answer 5

A non-linear narrative.

Question 6

What are the narrative codes?

Answer 6

Structure
Characters
Action Codes
Enigma Codes.

Question 7

What is the structure theory?

Answer 7

Equilibrium
Dis-equilibrium
New equilibrium

Question 8

Who suggested the structure theory?

Answer 8

Todorov.

Question 9

What is the equilibrium?

Answer 9

A state of normality.

Question 10

What is the dis-equilibrium?

Answer 10

A disruption of the equilibrium.

Question 11

What is the new equilibrium?

Answer 11

A return to normality.

Question 12

What is the character theory?

Answer 12

7 types of characters:

1. The Hero
2. The Dispatcher
3. The Helper
4. The villain
5. The donor/mentor
6. The princess
7. The false hero.

Question 13

Who suggested the character theory?

Answer 13

Vladimir Propp.

Question 14

What are action codes?

Answer 14

Occurrences that develop the story. Plot situations that link to specific actions.

Question 15

What do action codes do?

Answer 15

Make the audience anticipate.

Question 16

Name some scenes that can be called action codes?

Answer 16

Sex scenes
Fight scenes
Journeys
Chases
etc.

Question 17

What are enigma codes?

Answer 17

Unanswered questions that the audience are left with.

Question 18

Why are enigma codes used?

Answer 18

To make the audience want to see more.

Question 19

Give some examples of enigma codes?

Answer 19

At beginning - clues are delivered about the story/characters
At the end - story is left on a cliffhanger.
In a synopsis, tagline, title, trailer dialogue etc.

Question 20

Sex scenes, fight scenes, journeys, chases etc are what type of code?

Answer 20

Action Codes

Question 21

What type of code leaves the audience wanting to see more?

Answer 21

Enigma Codes.