Narrative Structures

1) Define the difference between story and plot.

A story is a sequence of events in order of time they happened; it is written for the purpose of making the audience eager to know what happens next. On the other hand, a plot is the structure of a narrative that connects events together, not necessarily in the order that they happened in.


2) Define narrative

The narrative of a story or plot is an account of connected events.

3) Define the following forms of narrative structure.


a) LINEAR NARRATIVE
    A linear narrative is where the story is told in order from the beginning to the end.
b) OPEN NARRATIVE
    An open narrative has no real ending, no singular story line, and is more chronological. An example of this is in soap operas.
c) CLOSED NARRATIVE
    A complete story that gives the audience an idea of the ending, has protagonists/central characters, and time is linked to the story itself- not the outside world. Closely linked with films and cinema.
d) CIRCULAR NARRATIVE
    A narrative where certain plot points are repeated, generally comes back on itself where the ending is linked to the start; circular narratives often preview the end at the beginning so that it is repeated when the plot is complete. Creates a sense of mystery and satisfaction when the plot holes are filled.


4) Modular Narratives in Contemporary Cinema by Allan Cameron. Cameron argues modular Narratives "articulate a sense of time as divisible and subject to manipulation". Allan Cameron has identified four different types of modular narrative in film; find out what they are and provide a definition.


a) ANACHRONIC
An anachronic narrative involves the use of flashbacks and flash-forwards, and repeats scenes from a different perspective. An example of this narrative being used is in the film Pulp Fiction.
b) FORKING PATH
This includes multiple plotlines that don't fit together, or showing possible outcomes that could result in a change of events later on.
c) EPISODIC
Are either an abstract series or narrative anthology.
d) SPLIT SCREEN
Divides the scene into two frames, showing the same events from a different view.