6. Narrative Theory

a.) = Inferred events

b.) = Explicitly shown events

c.) = Non diagetic material e.g subtitles

Story = what happens

Plot = how we see what happens

In media res means the middle of things.

Tim O'Sullivan (1998) argues all media texts tell us some kind of story, through careful meditation, media texts offer a way of telling stories about ourselves - story of culture or a set of cultures.

Bordwell and Thompson (1997) offer two distinctions between story and plot which relate to the diagetic world of narrative that the audience are positioned to accept.

Story = Fabula

Plot = Syuzhet

Structure of the classic narrative system.  According to Pam Cook (1985) the standard Hollywood narrative structure should have:

• Linearity of cause and effect within overall trajectory of enigma (problem) resolution (chronological).
• A high degree of narrative closure.
• A fictional world that contains verisimilitude especially governed by spatial and temporal coherence.    

Tzvetan Tudora (1997) 

Equilibrium

protagonist

                                 Distribution - Quest - Resolution

Antagonist                                                   Re-equilibrium

Cause and effect

Narrative gives/haves dramatic interests

In short as O'Sullivan (1998) suggests narratives have a common structure staring with the establishing of plot or theme.  Then followed by development of the problem an enigma (Roland and Barthes 1997) an increase in tension.