Narrative Structure

What is narrative in media?

Narrative is the media term for storytelling. Narrative is the way the different elements in a story are organised to make a meaningful story. Some of these elements can be facts as in a documentary, or characters and action as in a drama.

/What is narrative structure?

This is the way the story or plot unfolds. Is the story an open or closed structure?  A closed structure means the story ends satisfactorily as in most films – this is known as closure. An open ending means there is no final conclusion to the story – a television soap has no final ending, it just has minor endings.

TODOROV'S THEORY

Todorov’s theory has three main parts:

1. The text begins with a state of equilibrium – everything appears to be normal or calm.

2. There is some kind of disruption or disequilibrium – this is often a threat to the normal situation or it could be just a setback.

3. A new equilibrium is produced to end the narrative. In the best narratives there is some kind of change for the better perhaps in the main character’s behaviour or outlook on life.

Good Example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0LLaybEuzA - the purge trailer