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Narrative
GCSE Media

Narrative

Structure
Viewpoint

Narrative Structure

Circular
Episodic Linear

Circular Narrative

End

at the

When a

film begins

Circular Narrative

Examples:
Mission Impossible 3 (2006): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLNUIU7AzTg

Citizen Kane (1941): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r0b_XeRkG4

Episodic Narrative

When a narrative

is broken up into

events, or narrative pieces

Episodic Narrative

Examples:
Forrest Gump (1994): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvKzyYy6qvY

Full Metal Jacket (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXhKpUfITV0&feature=relat ed

Linear Narrative

When a narrative is told in the order in which events happen

Linear Narrative

Examples:
The Matrix (1999): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCUhFZnxoBU&feature=rela ted

The Sixth Sense (1999):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN13toLMHpE

Narrative Structure Your Turn

Think of an example for each structure:

Circular Episodic Linear

Narrative Viewpoint

Restricted Narrative
Omniscient Narrative

Restricted Narrative

The audience know as much as the characters do.

If the character is puzzled, then the audience is too and we must work out what is going on

Restricted Narrative

Examples:
L.A Confidential (1997): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArrhM8UbTww

The Usual Suspects (1995): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnGo6Qm0Wt8

Omniscient Narrative

Where the audience knows more than the main character

Omniscient narratives create suspense rather than mystery We are given a God like view

Omniscient Narrative

Examples:
Shallow Hal (2001): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMLZnY2nLcw

Independence Day (1996): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwmghqyJ3Uk

Narrative and Genre

Can you think of a type of genre than might use a:

Restricted Narrative?

Omniscient Narrative?

Summary

Narrative Structure

What are the three types of narrative structure?

Give one example for each

What type of narrative structure do most action/adventure movies have?

Summary

Narrative Viewpoints

What are the two types of narrative viewpoint?

Give one example for each.

What type of narrative viewpoint do most action/adventure movies have?