This document discusses several narrative theories: Todorov's theory of narrative equilibrium, which outlines 5 stages of a story's plot; Strauss's concept of binary oppositions in stories; Barthes' theory of 5 codes that shape narratives; Propp's identification of 8 common character types; and Galtung and Ruge's news values theory about what makes an event newsworthy. Examples are provided to illustrate each theory.

1. Narrative Theory
This slideshare will consist of:
•Todrov’s theory of Equilibrium
•Strauss’s Binary Oppositions
•Barthes Enigma Theory
•Propp’s Character Types
•Galtung and Ruge
Narrative Theory
This slideshare will consist of:
•Todrov’s theory of Equilibrium
•Strauss’s Binary Oppositions
•Barthes’ Enigma Theory
•Propp’s Character Types
•Galtung and Ruge

2. Todrov’s theory of Equilibrium-
1.Equilibrium: The first part of the story will
display a happy start where most of the
characters are content and everything is as
it should be.
2.Disruption: The second part of the story
will consist of a problem or something that
will disrupt the happiness.
3. Realisation: This part of the plot is when
everyone realises the problem and chaos
ensues.
4.Restored Order: Here is when the
characters attempt to repair the damage and
restore the problem.
5. Equilibrium Again: This is the final part of
Todrov’s theory of Equilibrium-
1.Equilibrium: The first part of the story will
display a happy start where most of the
characters are content and everything is as
it should be.
2.Disruption: The second part of the story
will consist of a problem or something that
will disrupt the happiness.
3. Realisation: This part of the plot is when
everyone realises the problem and chaos
ensues.
4.Restored Order: Here is when the
characters attempt to repair the damage and
restore the problem.
5. Equilibrium Again: This is the final part of

3. Strauss’s Binary Oppositions-
Binary Opposition is the idea that story lines
have characters or settings that are completely
opposite from each other despite existing in
the same universe.
A good example of this would be the genre of
films where this is most noticeable and
dominant, Horror films. Many horror films
include sets of binary oppositions in their
plots. Particularly good and evil, sane and
insane, rational and irrational and human and
super natural.
A good specific example of this would be in the
star wars series and the contrast between Luke
Skywalker and Darth Vader as the good Luke
wears white which symbolises purity and
Strauss’s Binary Oppositions-
Binary Opposition is the idea that story lines
have characters or settings that are completely
opposite from each other despite existing in
the same universe.
A good example of this would be the genre of
films where this is most noticeable and
dominant, Horror films. Many horror films
include sets of binary oppositions in their
plots. Particularly good and evil, sane and
insane, rational and irrational and human and
super natural.
A good specific example of this would be in the
star wars series and the contrast between Luke
Skywalker and Darth Vader as the good Luke
wears white which symbolises purity and

4. Barthes’ Enigma theory-
Roland Barthes described 5 codes which are woven into
any narrative.
The Hermeneutic Code: This refers to any element of a
story that is not fully explained and becomes a mystery to
the reader. The purpose of this is to keep the reader
guessing until the end of the story.
The Proairetic Code: This builds tension and refers to
other action that is going on, this is done in order to keep
the reader guessing what will happen next.
The Semantic Code: This code refers to a connotation
within the story that give additional meaning over the
basic meaning of the word.
The Symbolic Code: This is similar to the Semantic Code
but acts at a wider level, organising semantic meanings
into broader and deeper sets of meaning.
The Cultural Code: This code refers to anything that is
founded on some kind of canonical works that cannot be
challenged and is assumed to be a foundation for the
Barthes’ Enigma theory-
Roland Barthes described 5 codes which are woven into
any narrative.
The Hermeneutic Code: This refers to any element of a
story that is not fully explained and becomes a mystery to
the reader. The purpose of this is to keep the reader
guessing until the end of the story.
The Proairetic Code: This builds tension and refers to
other action that is going on, this is done in order to keep
the reader guessing what will happen next.
The Semantic Code: This code refers to a connotation
within the story that give additional meaning over the
basic meaning of the word.
The Symbolic Code: This is similar to the Semantic Code
but acts at a wider level, organising semantic meanings
into broader and deeper sets of meaning.
The Cultural Code: This code refers to anything that is
founded on some kind of canonical works that cannot be
challenged and is assumed to be a foundation for the

5. Vladimir Propp’s Character
Theory-
Propp suggested that every narrative has eight
different character types, these types are as
follows:
Villain – Fights against the hero in some way
Dispatcher – Character who makes the villains evil
known and the sends the hero off
Helper – Helps the hero on the quest
Princess/Prize – The thing or person that the hero
strives to have or get but can’t until the villain is
defeated
Her Farther – Give the task to the hero
Donor – Prepares the hero or gives the hero a
helpful item
Vladimir Propp’s Character
Theory-
Propp suggested that every narrative has eight
different character types, these types are as
follows:
Villain – Fights against the hero in some way
Dispatcher – Character who makes the villains evil
known and the sends the hero off
Helper – Helps the hero on the quest
Princess/Prize – The thing or person that the hero
strives to have or get but can’t until the villain is
defeated
Her Farther – Give the task to the hero
Donor – Prepares the hero or gives the hero a
helpful item

6. Gultung and Ruge’s News Values-
Gultung and Ruge (1973) believed that our
perception of what constitutes to a natural
event is culturally determined and not a natural
occurrence however they also believed that it
related to human culture and therefore would
not vary much globally.
Their theory argues that the more an event
accessed these criteria the more likely it was
to be reported in the news.
An example of this would be in the western
world we are obsessed with celebrities and
their lifestyles. If David Beckham were to break
up with his wife it would be a bigger news
story than 5 children being killed in a minibus
accident overseas because as a society we
have decided that celebrity gossip is more
Gultung and Ruge’s News Values-
Gultung and Ruge (1973) believed that our
perception of what constitutes to a natural
event is culturally determined and not a natural
occurrence however they also believed that it
related to human culture and therefore would
not vary much globally.
Their theory argues that the more an event
accessed these criteria the more likely it was
to be reported in the news.
An example of this would be in the western
world we are obsessed with celebrities and
their lifestyles. If David Beckham were to break
up with his wife it would be a bigger news
story than 5 children being killed in a minibus
accident overseas because as a society we
have decided that celebrity gossip is more

7. Gultung and Ruge’s News Values-
Gultung and Ruge (1973) believed that our
perception of what constitutes to a natural
event is culturally determined and not a natural
occurrence however they also believed that it
related to human culture and therefore would
not vary much globally.
Their theory argues that the more an event
accessed these criteria the more likely it was
to be reported in the news.
An example of this would be in the western
world we are obsessed with celebrities and
their lifestyles. If David Beckham were to break
up with his wife it would be a bigger news
story than 5 children being killed in a minibus
accident overseas because as a society we
have decided that celebrity gossip is more
Gultung and Ruge’s News Values-
Gultung and Ruge (1973) believed that our
perception of what constitutes to a natural
event is culturally determined and not a natural
occurrence however they also believed that it
related to human culture and therefore would
not vary much globally.
Their theory argues that the more an event
accessed these criteria the more likely it was
to be reported in the news.
An example of this would be in the western
world we are obsessed with celebrities and
their lifestyles. If David Beckham were to break
up with his wife it would be a bigger news
story than 5 children being killed in a minibus
accident overseas because as a society we
have decided that celebrity gossip is more