narrative theory

1. NARRATIVE THEORY
Television News

2. WHAT IS NARRATIVE THEORY
• A narrative is a the way in which the different elements in a story are
organised to create a meaningful story.
• There are many narrative theories, some are the key theories are; Todorov’s
Theory of Equilibrium, Binary Opposition theory, Enigma Theory and
Character Types.
• These theories explain what stories contain, are made of and ultimately how
they tell the story they wish to tell.

3. TODOROV’S THEORY OF
EQUILIBRIUM
• Todorov came up with the theory of
equilibrium. He stated that all stories follow a
simple structure.
1. There is a state of Equilibrium – where all is as
it should be.
2. There is a disruption of that order by an
eluent.
3. A recognition that the disorder has occurred.
4. An attempt to repair the damage of the
disruption.
5. A return or restoration of a new equilibrium.

4. LEVI STRAUSS
BINARY OPPOSITION THEORY
• Strauss theorized that the way we understand certain words depend on not so much
on any meaning they themselves directly contain, but much more by our own
understanding of the difference between the word and its ‘opposite’ or, as he called
it… the binary opposition.

5. BARTHES
ENIGMA THEORY
• Roland Barthes came up with
the idea that narrative is based
on creating questions that the
audience want to find the
answers to for example,
murder mysteries etc.

6. VLADMIR PROPP
CHARACTER TYPES
• Vladmir Propp theorized the idea that stories generally feature 8 different character
types.
1. The Hero – seeks something.
2. The Villain – opposes or actively blocks the heroes quest.
3. The Donor – the one who provides an object in magical properties.
4. The Dispatcher – sends the hero on his/her quest via a message.
5. The False Hero – makes false claims and disrupts the heroes' request.
6. The Helper – aids the hero.
7. The Princess – reward for the hero and the object of the villains plots.
8. Her Father – acts to reward the hero for his efforts.

7. NARRATIVE THEORY & TV NEWS
• Television news aims to tell us a story, providing viewers with information on what’s
going on In the world around us.
• They do this through using narrative theory to present the stories they need to get
across to their intended audience

8. APPLICATION OF THEORY
BBC NEWS

9. APPLICATION OF THEORY
ENIGMA THEORY
• The story leaves us with questions as the viewer. Questions from the story such as
what has happened to Hockley in the past that It needs a festival to help fight its
bad reputation.
• The audience will also want to find out more about the music festival and how they
can get involved.

10. APPLICATION OF THEORY
TODOROV
• This news story is clearly utilising Todorov’s theory of equilibrium:
• The current norm for Hockley is that it is known for knife crime, having an overall
bad reputation – this could be seen as disequilibrium. The area’s bad reputation has
been recognised and something needs to be done in order to make it an attractive
place. In order to bring about change, the concert is being set up; the aim is to
create positive press.
• The new equilibrium should be a place that people are proud to live in and excited
to visit.

11. APPLICATION OF THEORY
BINARY OPPOSITES
• Trying to fight against the reputation.
• Images reinforce the binary opposites; residential and deprived parts of Hockley are
shown to viewers – showcasing the ‘bad’.
• The music festival is the ‘good’ side of the binary opposites as it’s a celebration of
culture , giving the people in the area a voice. As a result, Hockley will receive
positive press and be a place that people want to visit.