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Narrative Theories
Aims
• To have an understanding of the different narrative structure
• Be able to identify these narrative structures in media texts
• Narrative is a key concept employed to analyze a range of media texts
• Some narratives are controlled by the audience – X-Factor– Computer games
NarrativeAll media texts have narratives
Fictional texts are concerned with story and a series of plot events
Non-fictional texts can be analysed in terms of order, construction and genre conventions
Narrative
Task
In pairs
Describe what you did last weekend
5 mins
Narrative Structures
Tzvetan Todorov
Todorov stated that narratives are led by events in a cause and effect format
Vladmir Propp
Propp was concerned with the relationship between narrative and characters
Levi-Strauss
Strauss suggested that all narratives are driven by conflict
Todorov
Resolution/EQUILIBRIUM is restored
The narrative moves to a confrontation/climax
A quest to restore the EQUILIBRIUM ensues
An action/character disrupts the EQUILIBRIUM
The narrative starts with EQUILIBRIUM
Task
Watch the following clip from CSI• Apply Todorov’s theory
• What experiences do linear narratives offer audiences?
• Think of a plot outline for a new film using the stages of Todorov’s theory.
Propp
Look at the handout on Vladmir Propp
Think of a narrative where Propp’s character functions can be applied and give examples of character types
Strauss
Binary opposition• light/dark• good/evil• noise/silence• youth/age• right/wrong• poverty/wealth• strength/weakness
Task
Think of some example of modern films where you could apply Strauss’s theory
Enigma Codes
• These are used by a range of media, both fiction and non-fiction.
• These codes control the amount of information that is released to the audience in order to make them curious and want to consume more of the text
• Enigmas are given early in the narrative
Action codes
These codes are a shortcut to advance the narrative
They signal a narrative event will take place
Buckling of a gun belt
Packing of a suitcase
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