This document discusses several types of non-linear and alternative narratives. It defines cohesive and non-cohesive narratives, as well as linear and non-linear narratives. It then examines several specific narrative types: non-sequential narratives which tell stories out of chronological order, disrupted narratives which include unreliable elements, ergodic narratives which feature stories within stories, branching narratives where the audience can choose alternative outcomes, and multi-linear narratives that combine multiple related storylines. Examples are provided for each type to illustrate how they are structured differently than a traditional linear narrative.

1. Cohesive Models

2. Cohesive & non-cohesive
• In its simplest form, cohesive means the joining together of something. Which means it flows
and works together. Non-cohesive means that something does not joining together, and does
not fit or flow.
• Linear is literary the order in which something goes. So for example a non-linear cohesive
narrative would be something that may not be in a traditional order, but flows well.
• However some theorists may argue that even though a narrative may not be linear does that
make it less chronological. Even though the order is not in a particular order, does that make it
any less chronological?

3. Non – sequential narrative
• This is a way of telling a story in a different sequence to which the story would have originally
occurred. This way of telling a story is usually used for; dramatic emphasis, to build suspense
or to reveal information.
• Evident examples of a non – sequential narrative would be if a story is;
• shuffled
• Reversed
• Flashback (into the story)
• Racconto (a recounting)
• The difference between non-sequential story's and multi – linear narratives is that choices
exist and the outcome can change for example in a time travel situation because ultimatly a
story is always a linea concept.

4. Disjointed Narrative
• This is a way of telling a story that elements of the story are unreliable, or untrue. These are
then replayed and changed with important changes. This way of telling a story doesn't’t
require an out of sequence way of telling the story (however it can). The ending is usually
revealed In its simplest form, with what ever twist there may have been
• . An example of this would be the film ‘21’ where the true story is revealed at the end.
• Here is a helpful prezi to help understand non-linear narratives;
• https://prezi.com/kfkrplxfy-tn/non-linear-storytelling/

5. Disrupted Narrative
• Disrupted narrative can also be called non-linear narrative. It is a technique used in films and
stories where events may be carried out in a non-chronological order. The narrative does not
follow a direct pattern of the events featured.
• A disrupted narrative can be created by using flashbacks, dreams, or narrating another story.
Disrupted narratives are often used to mimic the structer and recall of human memory, but can
sometimes be applied for other reasons.
• Film trailers are usually played in a disrupted narrative, even if the film follows the conventions
of a chronological narrative. This is so that the story isn’t given away in the trailer, yet still
attracts the audience.
• Here is an example of a film trailer with disrupted narrative.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bP1f_1o-zo

6. Ergodic Narrative
• This theory is about layers of a narrative. It is usually a story within a story. An example of this
would be ‘Inception’ this is about a dream with in a dream.
• The easiest this narrative is shown is through a game, as the main use of this theory is via
cyber text.
• Here is the trailer of ‘Inception’ for an example;
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hP9D6kZseM

7. Branching Narrative
• Branching is a way of changing the out come of a narrative. Basically giving a viewer options.
Again a game would be a perfect of this. As evidently games have many different options and
routs a player could take.
• Evidently doing a film this way would prove very difficult. However it has been done, but only
on the release of the film on to DVD/Blu-ray. An example of this would be the film ‘Salt’ where
there are alternative endings, and before the film is played, the viewer choses which ending of
the film they want to watch. Films aren’t showed like this at the conema, as the viewer only
gets one option.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ40WlshNwU

8. Multi-linear
• This is a way of telling a narrative with different aspects of the same story. However they
usually all come together at the end or have something that links them together. The different
stories of the whole story can all be happening at the same time, or can be in different time
zones. They can also be done with the same or different characters. This types of narrative
can be very confusing, all the way to the end until the plot is finally revealed.
• This can be described as little stories that all make up one big story, yet they all have
something that connects them. A film that does this is ‘New years eve’
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_dt27_0vL4