This document analyzes the narrative structure of the film "What To Expect When You're Expecting". It finds that the film follows a conventional three-act structure by introducing the characters in Act 1, creating conflicts for the characters in Act 2, and resolving everything with a happy ending in Act 3. This creates predictable and secure structure for audiences. The film also connects the characters in unexpected ways by the end.

1. Assignment 6:
Simple Film
Narrative
Structure Analysis
By Nicole Lewis

2. What To Expect When
You’re Expecting
• A story about five women that get pregnant.
• Jules Baxter is a famous weight lost instructor.
She’s also a contest on the new dance show
where she find out she is pregnant after sleeping
with her dance partner.
• Holly is an photographer who adopts a baby
abroad to later find out that he husband is having
second thoughts.
• Wendy Cooper finally gets pregnant after two
years of trying.
• Skyler Cooper is the young step mother to Wendy
Copper’s husband Gary Copper. Who gets
pregnant with twins.
• Rosie is a young adult who reunites with her old
flame. She later gets pregnant and suffers a
miscarriage.

3. Has the institution created a text with
conventional narrative structure.
• Yes, the institution is a clear linear narrative that has
three parts:
• Act 1-Introducing the characters. Suggest that
something is going to happen.
• Act 2-Conflict and trouble.
• Act 3-Happy ending, everything gets resolved.
• The film is explicit because it has the set up, conflict
then a happy ending

4. How the films use conventional
narrative. (ACT 1)
Jules Baxter dancing Holly and her husband Wendy Cooper and her
with Evan before she Alex watch Jules Baxter husband Gary watch
founds out she was on the dance show. Jules Baxter on the
pregnant. dance show.

5. How the films use conventional
narrative. (ACT 1) Continued.
Skyler Cooper with her husband Rosie and her old boyfriend Marco
Ramsey telling her step son she is going on their first date since the
pregnant. break-up.

6. How the films use conventional
narrative. (ACT 2)
• Jules and Evan have • Holly loses her job. • Wendy finds out
many arguments • Alex lets it slip that being pregnant isn't
ending with him he may not be ready all that great.
leaving. for a child. • She feels like she is
• Starts having competing with
contractions with Ramsey's wife who is
Evan in another state. also pregnant.
• Loses a lot of blood,
while giving birth.

7. How the films use conventional
narrative. (ACT 2) Continued.
• Skyler finds out she is having • Rosie miscarries.
twins. • Couldn't stand to be next to
• Has to deal with her husband Marco.
competing with his son.

8. How the films use conventional
narrative. (ACT 3)
Evan comes back in • Holly helps Alex Wendy admits that
time for Jules water to through his doubts pregnancy is hard,
break. on adopt. which has a good affect
• They go to Ethiopia on her shop.
to get their child.

9. How the films use conventional
narrative. (ACT 3) Continued.
• Skyler delivers her children with Rosie meets Marco at the hospital,
no effort at all. they agree to go out again.
• She puts a stop to Ramsey and
Gary's competing.

10. Why have the film makers
done this?
• The film makers have done this as it is a typical
structure.
• It is a safe way of getting high ratings and views.

11. What impact does this
have on the audience?
• It makes the audience feel secure, like they know
what ever drama that is going on it going to be
resolved.
• It helps them set up for a trouble. You know after
they introduce the characters something is going to
happen, so you are prepared.

12. What audience expectations have they established
or challenged by using this structure?
• You expect some drama to happen.
• They have challenged that even though it is a comedy,
miscarriage can still be present in it.
• You expect a happy ending.
• At the end, you find out that everyone has a connection
with each other one way for another.
• Ramsey and Skyler are married. Gary, Ramsey's son, is
married to Wendy. Skyler's cousin is Rosie, who is has a
growing relationship with Marco. Gary was on Jules'
weight loss program. Jules was Evan dance partner on a
dance competition show. She is now pregnant with his
child. Wendy's photographer is Holly, who is married to
Alex and Wendy suggests that Skyler use Holly for her
baby photos