There are several types of narrative structures that can be used in stories. An open narrative does not have a definite ending while a closed narrative concludes the story. A single-strand narrative focuses on one storyline while a multi-strand narrative incorporates multiple interconnected plots. Linear narratives present events in chronological order whereas non-linear narratives employ techniques like flashbacks. Realist narratives are based in reality while anti-realist narratives include fantastical elements. The document then discusses common structural components of narratives such as the opening, conflict, and resolution.

1. Narrative Structure
There are different types of structures which can be used in Narratives. For example, there
is an Open Narrative and a Closed Narrative. An open narrative is a story which doesn’t have
a specific ending. Most of the time an open narrative can be expanded and added to further
on the series because of the way in which the story has been ended. An example of this is
the Fast and Furious film series which after each film can leave the audience on a cliff-
hanger, this can be an advantage as it keeps the audience intrigued and interested. A closed
narrative is the opposite to an open narrative. So, a closed narrative tends to have a specific
ending, so something will happen which gives the story a satisfying close. This could be a
conclusion, happy ending or big event (wedding or death). I would say that the story I have
used, which is Thumbelina, would be a closed story. The Thumbelina book ends with a
wedding and there has never been a second part to the Thumbelina story.
Another narrative structure that could come up is a single-strand narrative and a multi-
strand narrative. A single-strand narrative is a story which has just on storyline, so this could
be a story which follows one characters and one thing is happening throughout the whole
book. This is common for most children’s books, including my own. The story of Thumbelina
is a single-strand narrative with only one storyline. However, some books can be multi-
strand narratives, this is when a story will have more than one storyline. For example, this
could be a soap opera series which covers different storylines for each character and jumps
from one to another. This is a narrative structure which would work better for an older
audience as it can make the story more difficult to follow.
Linear and non-linear are also narrative structures that can be used in stories. Linear
narrative is a narrative which is in order of the story. So, for example the story will start at
the beginning, got to the middle, and the straight to the end. These narratives may be easier
to follow and is more common for children’s books. I would say that the Thumbelina story I
have produced is a Linear narrative, the story is told in order of the things happening. The
opposite to a linear narrative is a non-linear narrative. This is when the story isn’t told in
order and techniques can be used to make the layout of the story more interesting. For
example, flashbacks and flash-forwards can be used. This can be seen in the film Forest
Gump when the filmcreates a flashback to when the character was in his younger years,
this gives us more information on what caused the present situation.
Another two types of narrative are realist and anti-realist. A realist narrative is a narrative
which is classed as real. This could be a story which is based on real events or represents
something which is possible in reality. This style of narrative is something which may be
mostly aimed at an older audience as it could be classed as not as interesting. An example of
a realist story is Coronation Street. However, I would say that the Thumbelina story is an
anti-realist story, this means that the story isn’t real at all. Sometimes classed as either sci-fi
or fantasy. The Thumbelina story includes character that have human characteristics which
we all know isn’t real.
Narrative Structure Components:

2. The opening to a story may be one of the most important parts of a story, is what draws the
audience’s attention in. the beginning of my story is an introduction to the character
Thumbelina and how she ended up there. The next component to a story is the conflict, this
is the main thing that happens in the story, this could be an argument, fight etc. In my story
the conflict is Thumbelina being in danger because of the other characters. Each story ends
with a resolution, the resolution is when the conflict is solved. For example, in Thumbelina
the resolution is that Thumbelina becomes safe and the story ends with a happy ending.
There are other components which can be used in stories but haven’t been used in mine.
For example, Enigma is a puzzle which can be found in a story, this is normally found in a
crime drama where the audience has the opportunity to try and put clues together to find
out what is going to happen further on throughout the story. There is also sometimes a
climax, this changes what happens to the character. This could mostly be found in a drama,
where the character’s plan or life changes for the worst. The last component of narrative
structures would be Manipulation of time and space. This is when the story jumps back and
forwards. It can also include time difference. For example, in a filmwe see the character
getting into a car to go somewhere and the next shot shows the character getting out of the
car. We don’t see the character’s whole journey as it isn’t relevant. This can also be used by
slowing time down. For example, if a character was disarming a bomb they would show the
scene using more shots than needed, going back and forth. This can be used as a method to
create tension.