1. Task 9 - Narrative Structure !
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Types of narrative structure:!
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Open:!
An open narrative is a story that continues after a single installation. The story can
continue to evolve and progress indefinitely. An example of this is soap opera, every day a
new 20 minute story segment is broadcast with no definitive ending. Some have been
running for decades and the cast and characters have been entirety replaced with newer
generations of cast members. It is not a requirement of open narrative stories to continue
with no ultimate end, long running television shows such as Lost, Breaking Bad and
Friends are also a form of open narrative. As the short children’s book I have made has a
beginning, middle and end all in the same sitting it does not fall under the category of open
narrative. !
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Closed:!
A closed narrative is the opposite of an open narrative. The story is self contained. In one
sitting the entire story can be experienced. Most films are in this format examples include
Trainsporting, The Shawshank Redemption, Hot Fuzz. What these films all have in
common is that there is a beginning, a middle and an end within the planned time frame of
the film. My children’s book if a perfect example of a closed narrative story. The story is
very simplistic it ends with no further plot elements left to be concluded. !
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Single-Strand:!
A single strand narrative has just a single plot line. There are no secondary sub-plots or
alternative perspectives to view the story from. More complicated stories will have layers of
different events unfolding as the story is told, however this is more difficult for children to
understand. On this bases it is rare to find a children’s book that is not a single-strand
narrative. I have kept to this guide and a single strand story. The story follows the main
character, Lucas, through every page of the book. The audience does not know anything
that Lucas doesn’t.!
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Mulit-Strand:!
A multi-strand story is one that has many separate/connected events being told to the
audience. Commonly, all these sub plot come together to assist the main story. This kind
of story consists of at least two or more stories unfolding over the duration of the episode/
book/film. Simpsons episodes usually work on this bases. For example Homer will have a
story and Lisa will also have a story. Usually on is dominant and the other is supporting,
they do not always have relevance to eachother but they can. In some stories the intention
is that all the separate events come together to climax at the end. Snatch, Pulp Fiction, A
Game of Thrones all have very entwining narratives. My children’s book does not feature
this kind of narrative structure.!
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Linear:!
A linear narrative takes place in chronological order. Each event we are shown is
happening one after the other in the same order that the characters in the story are
perceiving time pass in. This is a very common way of depicting a story. Here are some
examples; Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Gran Torino. My book has a linear narrative structure
2. as it would confuse children if the story events were to jump around in a non-coherent way.
The events are as seen by Lucas, he wakes up, he walks up the mountain etc..!
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Non-Linear:!
A non linear story is a story that does not present scenes in the order that they actually
happened. A scene may be shown and further into the film a scene may be shown that
took place before the previous scene. This method of story telling can make for very
engrossing viewing, however is inappropriate for children. Quentin Tarantino likes to make
film in a non linear style; Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill are good examples Sin City
also does this (produced by Tarantino). I avoided making a story that uses a non-linear
structure in my book.!
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Realist:!
A realist narrative is a story based on events that could feasibly happen. An event in a
realist narrative would not include anything farfetched such as magic, aliens, ghosts,
superpowers. Examples of realist narratives are as follows; Notting Hill, Friends, The
Office. My story is a realist narrative, there is not anything that could not happen in a
hypothetical reality. !
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Anti-Realist:!
In an anti-realist narrative the story can include elements that are unrealistic. These
elements are purely fantasy and have no bearing in reality. Science-fiction writing is a
good example. For example Star Wars is an anti-realist narrative as space ships,
lightsaber and the force does not exist. My book does not contain any anti-realist elements
making it a realist narrative. !
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Components:!
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Opening:!
The opening of a story is the setting in which the entail scene is presented. In the case of
my book it begins as Lucas is walking towards the mountain.!
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Conflict:!
The conflict in a story is an event that upsets the equilibrium and sets the events of the
rest of the story in motion. There is not a conflict as such in my story however an example
of one would be in Gran Torino when the neighbour's fight spills onto Walt’s lawn.!
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Resolution:!
The resolution of the story is the final outcome after the events of the story. Using my book
as an example after Lucas is put through the experience with the goat he swears he will
never lie again. As an alternative example Lord of the Rings ends as Frodo returns to the
shire after having destroyed the ring.!
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Enigma:!
An enigma in narrative terms is a plot point that is unknown to the viewer, and usually the
character/s. The “Sherlock” television series is built on the foundation that the viewer does
not understand what is going on. It is up the the characters to diciest the puzzle for the
audience’s entertainment. This is also the basis for the film “memento”. My story does not
have a enigma featured as it is a children’s book. !
3. Climax:!
The climax of the story is the moment that the events of the story have been building unto.
This moment will typically decide who the resolution will turn out. For example The Good
the Bad and the Ugly’s climax is the three way duel in the graveyard. In my story the
climax is the moment that Lucas encounters the goat wile up the mountain.!
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Manipulation of time and space:!
In a story it is common for the scenes to occur in different orders. It is also possible for the
characters with in the story to manipulate time. Back to the future is an example of this and
also the third harry potter film. However time can be manipulated in other ways for
example in Inception there is the scene when the van is falling off the bridge and there are
several different dream states with different time speeds. Otherwise manipulation of time
does not need to be something relevant to the plot , for example in 300 the effect is only
for the visual interest of the viewers.!
