Task 3 Narrative Structures

TASK 3 – Narrative Structure

·        Linear (Sequential) Narrative

These are stories in which events happen in chronological order from the start to finish. There are no flashback or flash forwards. A good example of this is Of Mice and Men.

·        Non-linear (Non-sequential) Narrative

Nonlinear narrative is a disjointed narrative or disrupted narrative is a narrative technique. These sometimes are used in things like literature, film, hypertext websites and other types of narratives where events are portrayed. An example of chronological order is where the narrative does not follow the direct causality pattern of the events shown. They never ever run in order and is quite mixed up. 500 Days Of Summer is a film that use Non – Linear Narrative. This is a type of film that may jump to different parts, In this film it may flash forwards and backwards and it flickers through the 500 days of the stories

·        Flashback

This basically flashbacks to from the current point to where the story has reached. They have also been able to use special effects o that the viewer does not get confused when the story jumps back to different parts of the film. Perks of being a wallflower is a good example of this as it flashes back to his memories and past of when he was a boy.

·        Realist Narrative

Realist narratives are story lines that are believable by the audience because it is based on a true story that has happened in the past. They are often used within horror stories and are filmed using often a held hand cameras. The Blair Witch Project is a good example of a realist narrative as it is filmed using a hand held camera once again. It appears to be real life like dramas.

·        Anti-Realist Narrative

These are things that don’t happen in real life. For example things that are anti-realist. Things such like Monsters ink are very farfetched and could never possibly be real. Fantasy things like Lord of the Rings are good examples of this.

·        Open Narrative

These are often used in crime dramas and soap operas for examples in things where they are not going to end any time soon. They are used to keep the viewer’s coming back and by the end of the episode or film the story hasn’t quite finished. The soaps are good exmaples of these for example Emerdale and Coronation street, even criminal mindd and CSI are good exmaples of this.

·        Closed Narrative

This is a story that is the opposite to an open ending. It has an ending and often the characters are in a hierarchy to how important they are. You always know the main plot and how its resolved and always wraps things up by the end of the film. Kevin and Perry go large is a good example of this as the film is basically them going on holiday and there will never be another one made.