Narrative structure generally describes the framework that underlies how a narrative is presented, including the plot and setting. It provides the order and manner in which the narrative is communicated. The core components of narrative structure are the plot, or sequence of events, and the setting, or where the events occur.

1. Narrative structure is generally described as
the structural framework that underlies the
order and manner in which a narrative is
presented to a reader, listener, or viewer. The
narrative text structures are the plot and the
setting.
By Kimberly Meakins

2. Here is a Linear Short Film - http://non-linear.org/post/2942437662/a-wonderful-short-film-by-terri-timely-
that
A wonderful short film by Terri Timely that explores the concept of ‘synaesthesia’. In brief, synaesthesia is
neurological condition that causes some people to see sound or hear colour, or smell colour. It causes a
‘crossing of wires’ that mixes up sensory experiences, similar to that of a day dream. Through out time, several
creative geniuses may have had this condition. The short film plays with this concept in several different ways.
The shots are all beautiful and the interplay between objects and audio is thought provoking.
nonlinear - A non-linear narrative is one that does not proceed in a straight-line, step-by-step fashion, such as
where an author creates a story's ending before the middle is finished.

3. Here is a linear short film Good Bye Mr Snuggles - http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films/p00593g0
What Mr Snuggles is about - What on Earth could go wrong when two elderly gentlemen go for a day of
painting in the beautiful English countryside? A lot. It is a picture of utter tranquillity as we are introduced to
the quintessentially English Mr Stiles (Robert Hardy - Harry Potter) and Mr Tomly (James Fox - Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory). They head off into the lush green meadows of the spectacular countryside in search of a
great view and a quiet day of painting. Things do not go according to plan when a rampaging, gun-toting clown
erupts onto the scene. In a rollercoaster ending, the story is flipped on its head as we question the very nature
of the men and their friendship.
Linear - Linear is the opposite to non linear, when narrative runs smoothly in a straight line, when it is not
broken up.

4. Here is a film with a Flash back Kill Bill
Like many of Tarantinos films, Kill Bill swaps around to different time periods of the main character’s life. It’s
hard to classify these as flashbacks or if it’s just the film jumbled up and played in the incorrect order. We do
get a great flashback showing the early life of Tokyo mafia boss O’Ren-Ishii, which is shown in manga-style
animation, which shows how she witnessed the grizzly murder of her parents, and how she became a deadly
assassin.
Flashback - Flashback movies are often confused with true non-linear narratives. Although they appear to open
(very briefly) with the ending, flashback movies almost immediately jump back to the very beginning of the
story to proceed linearly from there and usually proceed past the supposed "ending" shown at the beginning of
the movie.

5. • Here is a Non Realistic Short Film - http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films/p00gs4yj
A young couple on a countryside walk meet the farmer who owns the land they're walking across.
Short fact: Shot in Trent Park, North London.
Here is a Realistic Short Film - http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films/p00l3nl0
A married couple appear to have all the trappings of wealth, success and happiness, but both Amelia and
Michael have secrets from each other. Through a series of twists the film asks: what is it to be faithful to
another person? And what does it mean to be true to yourself?
Anti – realistic -Realist or anti realist narratives can also be discussed. Obviously, a realist narrative will draw its
power from the portrayal of realistic events. An anti-realist narrative will have the freedom to indulge in
the inclusion of aliens, vampires and all kinds of beastly CGI nonsense.

6. Here is an example of a ending short film Last Man On Earth -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films/p00pf28k
At one point whilst filming at 5 o'clock in the morning, the crew were left stuck on a pub roof when the cleaner
accidently locked the door.
Endings open - Endings - are also an important part of narrative structure and warrant much analysis. They can
be open, where we are left with a sense that the story is unfinished or may continue after the section of the
narrative we have seen.

7. Here is an example of a ending short film Last Man On Earth -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films/p00pf28k
At one point whilst filming at 5 o'clock in the morning, the crew were left stuck on a pub roof when the cleaner
accidently locked the door.
Endings open - Endings - are also an important part of narrative structure and warrant much analysis. They can
be open, where we are left with a sense that the story is unfinished or may continue after the section of the
narrative we have seen.