an introduction to narrative conventions (ms1)

Narrative StructuresNarrative structure for Moving Image

texts

Narrative Vs. Story?

Story Narrative

The sequence of events that the character(s) go

through.

The way in which the events are presented

to an audience.

Important events are deliberately

displayed or hidden from the characters

Example – Murder Mystery

a) Crime Conceivedb) Crime Plannedc) Crime Committedd) Crime Discovered

e) Detective Investigates

f) Detective Reveals a, b, and c

STORY

NARRATIVE

The story of a night out…?

1. Got ready at home2. Left home to walk to a friends house3. Hung out with some friends listening to music4. Ordered a takeout pizza on the phone5. Ate some pizza6. Walked to the bus stop and got the bus into

town7. Went to a bar8. Had a few drinks9. Waited at the bar for half an hour to get served10.Left and went home11.Felt really sick and passed out

The narrative of a night out

1. Got ready at home2. Left home to walk to a friends house3. Hung out with some friends listening to music4. Ordered a takeout pizza on the phone5. Ate some pizza6. Walked to the bus stop and got the bus into town7. Went to a bar8. Had a few drinks9. Waited at the bar for half an hour to get

served10.Left and went home11.Felt really sick and passed out

Narrative devices (time)

Device PurposeFlash

Back/ForwardTo fill in the gaps from a story

Dream Sequence Offers the audience an alternative sequence of events

RepetitionAllow the audience to watch the event again in order to spot new

information

Narrative devices (story)

Device Purpose

ForeshadowingTo give an audience a hint of something that is yet to come

(builds tension)

Exposition Explains part of the plot to the audience

Red Herring A false clue to give the audience the wrong idea

Some examples

• Exposition in Inception

• Exposition in Inception (2)

• Blatant Exposition in Wayne's World

• Exposition / Flashbacks in The Incredibles

Todorov Theory (Bulgarian Literary Theorist)

• The equilibrium within a story can exist before the narrative properly starts…

Equilibrium ResolutionDisruption

Narrative Codes

• Enigma codes – any question that is posed to the audience

• Action codes – any action that drives the narrative forwards

Examples of narrative codes

Action Codes Enigma Codes

A phone ringingA knock at the door

A police sirenA gunshot

An interruptionA news report

Unidentified peopleAn unidentified location

Lack of exposition

Any question that is posed to be answered

later

Binary Oppositions

• Claude Levi Strauss suggested that all narratives were driven forward by conflict that was caused by a series of opposing forces.

• When two characters had different intentions / desires then the conflict between them moved the story/narrative forward.

Binary Opposites

Try and think of as many binary opposites that exist within society

Binary OppositesInside / OutsideHero / VillainWest / East

Man / AnimalProtect / Threaten

Good/EvilStrong / WeakDemocracy / Dictatorship

Beautiful / UglyAllow / Prohibit

Peace / WarInnocent / Guilty

Truth / LiesRetain / Lose

First world / Third world

Wisdom / IgnoranceAction / Inaction

Domestic / ForeignLove / HateLove / Lust

An (obvious) example

Good / Light / Stability / Justice /

Business / Logic

Evil / Dark / Chaos / Insanity / Crime / Anarchy

Another examplePeace / intelligence / loneliness / thoughtfulness / books / veganism

Mischief / popularity / stupidity / spontaneity / TV / junk food

Summary

• Action and Enigma codes are used to keep the audience engaged in a text.

• Conflict through binary opposition drives narratives forwards