There are four types of narrative structures discussed in the document: open vs closed, single strand vs multi strand, linear vs non-linear, and circular. Open narratives leave questions unanswered while closed narratives tie everything together. Single strand narratives follow one story thread while multi strand narratives have multiple intersecting storylines. Linear narratives are chronological while non-linear narratives are not and can use flashbacks. Circular narratives end where they began and form a cycle.

1. TYPES OF
NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
BY JACK ETTINGER

2. OPEN VS CLOSED
OPEN
There are loose ends of questions left unanswered
E.g. Soap Opera
CLOSED
No loose ends everything is tied up
E.g. Finding Nemo
SINGLE STRAND VS
MULTI STRAND
SINGLE STRAND
One narrative thread
E.g. Finding Nemo
MULTI STRAND
Multiple threads which often cross-over or combine
E.g. Soap Opera

3. LINEAR VS NON-LINEAR
LINEAR
Chronological Order
NON LINEAR
Doesn’t go in chronological order.
E.g. the use of flash
CIRCULAR
CIRCULAR
A story that ends in the same place it began is
commonly called a circular or cyclical narrative.