Narrative

Although it may not seem obvious there is a distinctive difference between story and narrative. The story is quite literally what happens within it,whether it be a film or a novel. This consists of a basic format with no sense of engaging the audience to help them understand not only what is happening but why it is happening. This is where narrative comes in, the purpose of this is to guide us through in terms of how we are meant to feel and reaction to the story. The narrative helps the audience to understand the story in detail as well as creating a sense of empathy in order to engage them within the media text.
There are nine narrative types to consider, these being:

1. Linear Narratives
2. Non Linear Narratives (AKA Fractured Narratives)
3. Tvetzan Todorov: Equilibrium
4. Classical Hollywood Cinema
5. The Oedipal Trajectory
6. Counter Hollywood Cinema
7. Roland Barthes: Semiotic Codes
8. Claude Levi Strauss: Binary Opposition
9. Vladimir Propp

Each of these types of narrative give a film a certain identity that differenciates from the others to give it orginality to a certain extent. However, many films show similar aspects such as films that categorically fit into the same genre. Narrative is extremely important in telling the story with added information in order to direct and guide the story as well as the audiences intended reactions and opinions towards the media text.