The document discusses different types of narrative structures and components that can be used in stories. It describes open and closed narratives, single and multi-strand stories, linear and non-linear narratives, realist and anti-realist narratives. It also outlines some common components in stories, including openings, conflicts, resolutions, enigmas, climaxes, and the manipulation of time and space. The author's story uses a closed, non-linear, anti-realist narrative structure that goes back in time to explain events and features mermaids, captured characters, and a climactic resolution involving a sea witch.

1. Structures
By grace kennedy

2. Open narrative
In this type of narrative, there is no conclusion
to the story; it goes on and on. An example of an
open narrative would be soaps because
continue on and on. My story isn't an open
narrative because it has a conclusion.

3. Closed narrative
In this type of narrative, the story will reach a
conclusion. Films usually have a closed
narrative; for example the film Ratatouille, the
finally opens his own restaurant. My book is a
closed narrative because it has an ending, Belle
is turned into a mermaid and she and Arielle can
finally swim together.

4. Single strand
A single strand is where a story has only one
storyline.The story will normally only have one
idea and will have 1 or 2 main characters.This
structure is normally used for children’s books
because it will be hard for them to understand if
the story is too complicated. I wouldn’t say my
story is a single strand because I have 4 main
characters.

5. Multi-strand
A multi strand story has many strands to the
story. An example of a multi strand is a soap; it
has many stories within it. A film which displays
a multi-strand would be ‘he’s just not that into
you’ because the film is about a group of adults’
love life and it follows each of their lives,
somehow they are all interlinked.

6. Linear
A linear narrative has a beginning, middle and
end. The story will always go forward in time
and events will always happen in order. My story
isn’t linear because it goes back to the past to
explain the background story.

7. Non-linear
Non-linear narratives aren’t in order of time;
they normally use flash backs or flash forwards.
An example of a non linear product is orange is
the new black, it continuously goes back in time
to give meaning to why the girls are in prison
and to show the audience more back ground
information on the girls. My story is non-linear
because is goes back to past to explain that Belle
and Arielle were twins separated at birth, by the
curse.

8. Realist
A realist narrative is a reflection of real life. They
will feature believable events which can happen
to anyone. My story isn't realist because it
features mermaids, and to this day it still hasn’t
been proven that they exist.

9. Anti-realist
Anti realist is the opposite to realist narratives.
They will involve characters, locations and
events that will not exist or wont happen in real
life. My story is anti-realist because my story
features mermaids and it cant be proven that
they exist. Sci-fiction and fantasy films are anti-
realist. An example of an anti realist film is paul
because it features an alien and they aren’t real.

10. Components

11. Opening
The opening is the start of a book/film. My book
has an opening which introduces belle, who is
one of the main characters.

12. Conflict
Conflict is the driver of a story, it is the
opposition between characters. My story has
conflict because the witch captures the girls and
tries to cast another spell on the girls.

13. Resolution
The resolution of a story is when the conflict
resolves. The conflict in my story resolves when
the sea king enters the sea cave and destroys
the evil sea witch.

14. Enigma
An enigma is a puzzle which intrigues the viewer
into watching or reading all the book. An
example would be CSI because it is full of
mysterious story line and it makes you wonder
and rethink who did the crime. My story has no
enigma.

15. Climax
The climax of a story is a turn point within a
story, which changes the characters’ fate. I have
a climax because the mermaids become
captured and show them the past which has
been kept from them.

16. Manipulation of time and space.
This means jumps backwards or forwards in time.
Also it could mean time being stretched or
compressed. My story goes back in time to when
the girls were babies and got separated by the
curse.