Media Language - Exploring Narrative

Question 1

Whats a ‘Narrative’?

Answer 1

Narrative is linked to the genre of the text but is it also important to explore it separately.

All media texts tell stories and have some sort of narrative, from a single photographic image to a sports report to a film. Therefore, when analysing a narrative we analyse the construction of the story. I.e. the way it has been put together/tells the audience the story, not the story itself.

You also need to consider what the story is about in its most basic terms. I.e. the theme (e.g. Love, war, winning)

Question 2

When exploring a narrative, whats are the 3 main aspects to analyse?

Answer 2

1. The structure
2. The characters
3. The themes

Question 3

Whats a ‘Narrative Structure’?

Answer 3

This refers to the way a story is told or delivered to the audience.

E.g. the structure of a magazise typically has an obvious front cover, followed by a contents page, horoscopes tend to be towards the back of the magazise and there is usually an advert on the back cocer.

A regular reader is used to the structure and knows where to find things.

Question 4

What are the 2 types of Narratives?

Answer 4

1. Linear Narratives
2. Non-Linear/Circular Narrative

Question 5

Which theorist developed ‘Linear Narratives’?

Answer 5

Tzvetan Todorov - during his research into fairytales and traditional stories.

Question 6

What are ‘Linear Narratives’?

Answer 6

Where most narratives move forward in chronological order; one action following another - beginning, middle and end.

Question 7

What are ‘Non-Linear/Circular Narratives’?

Answer 7

In this structure the narrative may move backwards and forwards in time, techniques such as flashbacks may be used. However some ‘fact-based’ genres use non-linear narratives regularly.

Question 8

What are the 3 Narrative Codes?

Answer 8

1. Plot Situations
2. Characters
3. Stars

Question 9

Narrative Code - ‘Plot Situation’

Answer 9

Predictable and recognisabke story - lines within a narrative or genre.

E.g. a murder being solved in a crime drama, or in a reality TV show like Britain’s Got talent we expect to see auditions, a backstory, etc.

Question 10

Narrative code - ‘Characters’

Answer 10

Each genre has a recognisable set of characters. Audiences will be used to these character types and anticipate how they behave.

E.g. the hero is usually strong, moral and attractive - qualities the audience aspire to.

Question 11

Narrative Code - ‘Stars’

Answer 11

The actor, celebrity that the audience associates with the genre.

E.g. Daniel Craig as James Bond.