This document provides instructions for a research assignment on narrative and film theory. Students must create a single PowerPoint or Prezi presentation with five sections: [1] Defining narrative and different narrative types in film; [2] Applying Tzvetan Todorov's narrative structure theory using 1-3 example films; [3] Applying Claude Levi-Strauss's narrative conflict theory using 1-3 example films; [4] Applying Vladimir Propp's character theory and identifying character types using 1-3 example films; [5] Applying additional character theories by Erving Goffman, John Campbell, and Jonathan Bishop using 1-3 more example films. Students are advised to use visuals like images and limited

1. ASSIGNMENT 7: NARRATIVE & FILM THEORY Research Assignment:
Set: Mon Oct 10 E /Tues Oct 11 C
Due: Mon Oct 17 E /Tues Oct 18C
Task: to complete a research presentation on Narrative & Film Theorists. This is to be completed in
one single powerpoint (or prezi) which 4 sections (A, B, C & D)
Information: Narrative Explained
It is important to tell the difference between narrative and story
Story = a sequence of events, known correctly as the plot
Narrative = the way those events are put together to be presented to an audience.
Therefore, when analysing a narrative we analyse the construction of the story ie the way it has
been put together, not the story itself. All media texts have a narrative, whether they are a six hour
TV miniseries or a one paragraph newspaper story or a glossy magazine photograph. All films will
have some form of narrative and the way the narrative is presented in different films are presented
very differently. There are also theories about how films are structured, constructed and presented
to audiences which are various film theories. This assignment is for you to learn these theories and
consider how you will incorporate them into your own opening sequence.
Remember to use mostly visuals, not a lot of text:
P: point make a point by putting a clear title and/or subtitle
E: evidence provide an image as evidence to your point
E/E: explanation/ underneath/beside the evidence (image) use bullet points to
Effect explain it further and the effect of it
***YOU CANNOT PLAGARISE OFF THE INTERNET. THIS MEANS COPYING A WORD OR PHRASE
FROM ANY SOURCE AND USING IT AS YOUR OWN, IT MUST BE IN YOUR OWN WORDS OR YOU
WILL RECEIVE AN AUTOMATIC U GRADE.
PART A Slide 1: Include a title page
Slide 2: Define what narrative is and the different types of narrative in film. You should include some
examples of films to support your research about different types of narrative in films.

2. PART B TvzetanTodorov (narrative film theorist: narrative structure)
-general info about him
-introduce his narrative theory: (key terms: equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium)
-use 1-3 films to explain his narrative theory and how it is employed in the films, use stills to support
PART C Claude Levi-Strauss (narrative film theorist: narrative conflict)
-general info about him
-introduce his narrative theory: (key terms: binary opposition)
-use 1-3 films to explain his narrative theory and how it is employed in the films, use stills to support
PART D Vladimir Propp (Film theorist: Character types and stereotypes)
-general info about him
-introduce his Character film theory: (key terms: all of the different types of characters and their
purpose)
-use 1-3 films to explain his character film theory (use films to explain all of the different types of
characters)
PART E 1. Erving Goffman's, (Character theorist)
(extention) 2. John Campbell, Gorden Fletcher, and Anita Greenhill (Modern Character
theorists)
3. Jonathan Bishop
-general info about them
-introduce their Character theories: (key terms: all of the different types of characters and their
purpose)
-use 1-3 films to explain their character theory (use films to explain all of the different types of
characters)
Some websites to help:

3. Be careful not to use all of your research from Wikipedia, remember it is not the only source and it
isn’t always reliable)
http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=947547
http://www.mediaknowall.com/gcse/keyconceptsgcse/gcsenarrative.html
http://www.mediaknowall.com/alevkeyconcepts/narrative.html
Some others to be posted later.
SEE ME ASAP IF YOU NEED ANY HELP!