Narrative Flashcards
What is a narrative?
Narrative is the media term for story-telling. Narrative is the way different elements are organised and structured to make a meaningful story.
What are some of the possible elements of a narrative?
Facts Characters Action Time Setting/Location Plot
What is a linear structure?
When a plot has a beginning, middle and an end. (A predictable structures).
What is a non-linear structure?
When a story is organised in an unpredictable way e.g Pulp Fiction.
What is a closed structure?
When a story ends happily or clearly with no confusion.
What is an open ending?
When there is no final conclusion to the story. This leads to ‘fan theories’.
What is multi-strand structure?
Where there are several narratives running at the same time e.g Holby City and Casualty. The Vampire Diaries and The Originals.
What are enigma codes?
When the plot constructs a puzzle that the audience is asked to solve while the characters act out the story.
What is Todorov’s narrative structure?
Equilibrium
Disruption within the equilibrium
Equilibrium restored
What are some good ways to tell a story?
Immediately engage the audience.
Maintain their attention.
Tell the story in an order that makes sense.
What is Syd Field’s Three Act Pattern?
The setup - where the action takes place.
A series of obstacles for the key protagonist.
All the plots and subplots are resolved.
What is Chris Vogler’s Hero’s Journey?
- The hero’s world is established and they are sent on a quest.
- Hero meets an advisor.
- Hero meets a helper in the special world and faces tests.
- Hero faces toughest ordeals, almost fails, faces return journey.
- Hero returns a changed person.
