NON-LINEAR
A non-linear narrative structure is where the story is told in a non-chronological order where it doesn't follow a specific order. Non-linear story lines can also be knows as 'disrupted narratives'. Flashbacks are a common theme in non-linear storylines. They can show clips from the characters past that the audience hadn't already seen. In non-linear narratives, the storyline may also not start with the start and finish with the end.
'Breaking Bad' and 'Pretty Little Liars' are examples of a TV show with a non-linear structure. Both examples of the non-linear shows below are using flashbacks within their narratives:
A non-linear narrative structure is where the story is told in a non-chronological order where it doesn't follow a specific order. Non-linear story lines can also be knows as 'disrupted narratives'. Flashbacks are a common theme in non-linear storylines. They can show clips from the characters past that the audience hadn't already seen. In non-linear narratives, the storyline may also not start with the start and finish with the end.
'Breaking Bad' and 'Pretty Little Liars' are examples of a TV show with a non-linear structure. Both examples of the non-linear shows below are using flashbacks within their narratives:
LINEAR
Typically in linear narrative structure, the story takes places, in chronological order.
In the case of television dramas, the programme will unfold from the beginning being one moment in time and the end being the other. The programme will follow in the correct order of time and will include no flashbacks or flash forwards. An example of a linear narrative would be Hollyoaks. Linear narratives usually follow a standard structure which can be seen below:
Typically in linear narrative structure, the story takes places, in chronological order.
In the case of television dramas, the programme will unfold from the beginning being one moment in time and the end being the other. The programme will follow in the correct order of time and will include no flashbacks or flash forwards. An example of a linear narrative would be Hollyoaks. Linear narratives usually follow a standard structure which can be seen below:
SINGLE STRAND
A single strand narrative is a story which is usually focused on a single character, which is usually the main character, they are followed from beginning to end.Examples of a single strand TV show would be 'Smallville' and 'Murdered By My Boyfriend'
A single strand narrative is a story which is usually focused on a single character, which is usually the main character, they are followed from beginning to end.Examples of a single strand TV show would be 'Smallville' and 'Murdered By My Boyfriend'
MULTI-STRAND
Multi-strand is telling a story from several main characters perspectives who all have their own small story lines within the narratives. These storylines usually collide together and overlap which the audience see themselves from their own perspective. Examples of multi-strand narratives are 'One Tree Hill' and '90210'.
Multi-strand is telling a story from several main characters perspectives who all have their own small story lines within the narratives. These storylines usually collide together and overlap which the audience see themselves from their own perspective. Examples of multi-strand narratives are 'One Tree Hill' and '90210'.
REALIST
Realist narratives are story lines that are believable to the audience because they appear real, or are based on a true story that has happened in the past which makes them appear to be more realistic. An example of a realist TV show would be Eastenders.
Realist narratives are story lines that are believable to the audience because they appear real, or are based on a true story that has happened in the past which makes them appear to be more realistic. An example of a realist TV show would be Eastenders.
NON-REALIST
Non-realist is a narrative that is not realistically filmed , and has encounter a lot of editing and involves a lot of effects. The events in the drama do not exists in a common day to the audience. An example of a non-realist TV show would be 'Charmed' - magic and 'demons' and babies with powers are not realist and involve a lot of editing when producing to make them appealing to viewers. Below is an example of Charmed:
Non-realist is a narrative that is not realistically filmed , and has encounter a lot of editing and involves a lot of effects. The events in the drama do not exists in a common day to the audience. An example of a non-realist TV show would be 'Charmed' - magic and 'demons' and babies with powers are not realist and involve a lot of editing when producing to make them appealing to viewers. Below is an example of Charmed:
OPEN & CLOSED ENDINGS
Open narrative structures usually have no apparent beginning, middle or end, in terms of the actual events, many of them use 'cliffhangers' to end their episodes so they can carry on from there when creating more episodes and series'. This keeps the audience interested and wanting to see more. An example of a TV show which uses open narrative structures is 'Lost', the ending of this season leaves the audience questioning what will happen to the characters next;
Open narrative structures usually have no apparent beginning, middle or end, in terms of the actual events, many of them use 'cliffhangers' to end their episodes so they can carry on from there when creating more episodes and series'. This keeps the audience interested and wanting to see more. An example of a TV show which uses open narrative structures is 'Lost', the ending of this season leaves the audience questioning what will happen to the characters next;
Closed ending structures is when the story is fully told and complete by the end of the episode. A closed narrative structure is the most common narrative structure found in TV. TV generally consists of narratives which contain a beginning, middle and an ending. The story is unraveled before an audience, and then ultimately brought to a conclusion. An example of a TV show which has a closed ending structure would be The Inbetweeners.