Roland Barthes argued that narratives use codes to control how information is presented to audiences. Action codes show how one event leads to another to drive the story forward, while enigma codes use mysteries and puzzles to move the plot along. Narratives can have linear, non-linear, single-strand, or multi-strand structures and can conclude with closed or open endings.

1. NARRATIVE
STRUCTURE

2. Barthes action enigma codes
Roland Barthes argued that narrative is told through a series of codes that are used to
control the way in which information is given to the audience.
-Action codes
Roland Barthes believed that in some films and other narratives one action leads to
another and this is where the story comes from. Resolution is produced through action.
E.G someone is killed so a friend hunts them down.
-Enigma codes
This where it can be mysteries that drive the story forward.A narrative device that teases
the audience by presenting a puzzle or riddle to be solved.

3. Linear and Non-Linear
-Non Linear
Means that there is no order to what is shown in the documentary.
E.g in computer games you can often choose different paths.
-Linear
Having a linear narrative structure means that the documentary follows a timeline of
events and the different pieces in the documentary are shown chronologically in an order.
They are in a ‘straight line’ from start to end.

4. Multi-strand and single strand
-Multi strand
These narratives often have more than one story and more than one set of characters.
Sometimes the stories "cross over” and characters meet.
Sometimes they are kept apart
-Single strand
Often follow one character/narrative. It’s one persons story.

5. -Closed
Closed narrative structure means that there are no loose ends and the documentary has a
clear conclusion and has answered all the questions that could be asked.
-Open
An open narrative structure is when the documentary ends with unanswered questions.
All ends are loose as they haven’t been concluded leaving the audience to wonder.

6. BY AYESHA HUSSAIN