2. Aims
• To have an understanding of the
different narrative structure
• Be able to identify these narrative
structures in media texts
3. • Narrative is a key concept employed to
analyze a range of media texts
• Some narratives are controlled by the
audience
– X-Factor
– Computer games
4. Narrative
All media texts have narratives
Fictional texts are
concerned with story
and a series of plot
events
Non-fictional texts can
be analysed in terms of
order, construction and
genre conventions
6. Narrative Structures
Tzvetan Todorov
Todorov stated that narratives are led by events in a
cause and effect format
Vladmir Propp
Propp was concerned with the relationship between
narrative and characters
Levi-Strauss
Strauss suggested that all narratives are driven by
conflict
7. Todorov
The narrative starts with EQUILIBRIUM
An action/character disrupts the EQUILIBRIUM
A quest to restore the EQUILIBRIUM ensues
The narrative moves to a confrontation/climax
Resolution/EQUILIBRIUM is restored
8. Task
Watch the following clip from CSI
• Apply Todorov’s theory
• What experiences do linear narratives
offer audiences?
• Think of a plot outline for a new film
using the stages of Todorov’s theory.
9. Propp
Look at the handout on Vladmir Propp
Think of a narrative where Propp’s character
functions can be applied and give examples of
character types
11. Task
Think of some example of modern films
where you could apply Strauss’s theory
12. Enigma Codes
• These are used by a range of media,
both fiction and non-fiction.
• These codes control the amount of
information that is released to the
audience in order to make them curious
and want to consume more of the text
• Enigmas are given early in the narrative
13. Action codes
These codes are a shortcut to advance
the narrative
They signal a narrative event will take
place
Buckling of a gun belt
Packing of a suitcase
