NARRATIVE STRUCTURE

OPEN & CLOSED• Open: Loose ends,questions left unanswered;for example a

soap opera such as Coronation Street where each episode is left on a cliff hanger.• Closed: No loose ends,everything tied up so there are no

unanswered questions.An example of this is the Disney film Finding Nemo, where all of the audiences questions are answered at the end,such as 'is Martin going to find Nemo?' 

SINGLE-STRAND & MULTI-STRAND• Single-strand:A single-strand narrative structure is one with only one story

line. An example of this is the Disney film Toy Story, where the story focuses solely on the toys life in their owner's bedroom.

• Multi-Strand: A multi-strand narrative contains multiple threads/storylines.These threads eventually end up crossing over and often combine.This is shown best in the popular soap EastEnders, where all of the families lives are entwined in different ways.

LINEAR & NON-LINEAR• Linear: A linear narrative structure follows chronological

order.For example, this may mean that it follows time order so that it progresses from the conception of something to modern day.An example of this is The World At War, a TV documentary that re-lives WWII in time order.

• Non-Linear: A non-linear narrative structure does not follow chronological order. There is often many flashbacks/flash forwards. A famous example of this is Pulp Fiction, a film directed by Quentin Tarantino. One scene is shown at the start and the end, however the middle film is needed for it to make sense.