This is a PowerPoint that explains and goes into detail about action and enigma code

1. ACTION AND ENIGMA CODES –
ROLAND BARTHES
Jade Thompson

2. WHO IS ROLAND BARTHES?
• Roland Bathes was a literary theorist that
studied structure and semiotics in literature.
• Barthes designed 5 codes to have an
understanding structuralism of narrative and
Action and Enigma codes are one of them.
• The other three codes are the semic
/connotative code, the reference /cultural
code and the symbolic code.

3. ACTION CODE
• Action code, also known as Proairetic
code, are “actions” that implies a further
narrative.
• This actions can be anything that
changes the narrative and give
indication to a new problem.

4. ACTION CODE USED IN SOAPS
• With soap operas being a continuous show
by using action codes, it widens the
opportunities for the progression of the
plot.
• Also from using action code it allows the
storyline to change, making changes to the
issues that the character face.
• Action codes also create a more interesting
and exciting to watch for the audience.

5. EXAMPLE OF ACTION CODE IN SOAPS
• An example of action codes used is in EastEnders, the scene starts with
Joyce and her husband in there kitchen about to have dinner and you
hear a gas explosion from outside. The scene then cut and changes to
the market square with people help one another. The scene then cut
again but to Jane and Max hearing the explosion and Max leaving to
find out what it is.
• From EastEnders using action code allow the story to progress in the
episode focusing on a wider range of characters.

6. ENIGMA CODES
• The Enigma code, also known as hermeneutic
code, refers to an element of the story that
hasn’t been fully explained and is then a
mystery to the audience.
• From using this it allows the audience to raise
questions that demand explication.

7. ENIGMA CODE USED IN SOAPS
• One of the more often uses of enigma code is
ending the episode on a question and carry it
on in a follow up episode, this is commonly
called an cliff hanger. This is a technique the
soap use regularly.
• From using this technique of a cliff hanger it
encourage the audience to continue having
interest in the story.

8. EXAMPLE OF ENIGMA CODE IN SOAPS
• In this episode of Coronation Street the finally end with Ken Barlow
exposing his attacker to Roy Cropper.
• This storyline of Ken Barlow being pushed down the stairs by a mystery
person causing memory finally unfolds with Ken telling Roy it was Daniel.
• This left the audience wanting to know more detail of how it happened,
what's going to happen next and if Ken has the correct person.