1. Exam revision sheet – Media Studies A2 level Q1(b)
Narrative theory
Branigan has said that, “narrative is a way of organising...data into a cause and
effect chain of events with a beginning, middle and end…”
We tend to see most things in this way, for example, a day at school. When thinking
of our own lives, we tend not to see lots of mini fragments, but a big story with a
beginning, middle and end. In a way, narratives help us make sense of the world.
Kruger, Rayner and Wall have gone as far as to say, “narrative is an important
source of reassurance in a hostile universe.” There is clearly some validity in this.
We like to think that there will be a “happy ever after” for all of us. This is why so
many people go to watch films. Even if our own lives are uncertain, we know that
things will work out for the best in the world of a film—most of the time.
Narrative is part of the pleasure that audiences gain from Hollywood entertainment in
particular. Things often make sense in the narrative of a film that do not make sense
in ‘real’ life. There are usually clearly defined motives/reasons in films that ‘cause’
other things to happen. In life, this is not always so and it can make things difficult to
understand. Think back, if you can, to being a little child, you probably remember
asking ‘but why?’ all the time. You may have heard the answer ‘it just is’ and felt very
frustrated. Films do not generally do this, they give us pleasure in part because they
tell us ‘why’.
Some narrative techniques:
Enigma – a puzzle, a narrative technique designed to intrigue the viewer and
encourage them to watch further.
Retardation – Holding back key information from the audience so they are unsure
what is happening and likely to watch further to find out.
Ellipsis - a basic narrative technique used in classical continuity editing which sees
time compressed in order for the narrative to progress more quickly (editing out the
boring bits!)
Twist – an unexpected turn of events designed to shock the audience.
Theory/idea Definition Example
There are different theories and ideas about narrative that you will need to be aware
Propp investigated Russian fairy story
of. The ideas and theories below are just that,said there are theories. The first two in
narratives and ideas and set character
particular are not ideas you can apply to every media text. It wouldSo, the
types and events associated with them. be foolish to try
and many people believe these ideas story genre contains the same types of
fairy have been discredited. Remember, your ideas
Vladimir Propp’s characters/events. Propp identified:
about the narrative of a particular text are equally important. The ideas below may
theory • The hero
help you think about the way narratives are structured and what is typical and
• The villain
unconventional
• The donor
• The dispatcher
Propp’s theory • The helper
• The princess
Vladamir Propp investigated Russian fairy story narratives and said there are set
character types and events associated with them. So,argued, have their genre contains
All these characters, he the fairy story
own motives and are likely to cause events
and take sides. Conflict is central to these
stories. Propp’s theory has been applied to
films, tv and even news. It can sometimes be
difficult to apply but often applies well to
crime dramas, thrillers, horror movies etc

2. Exam revision sheet – Media Studies A2 level Q1(b)
the same types of characters/events. Propp identified:
· The hero
· The villain
· The donor
· The dispatcher
· The helper
· The princess
All these characters, he argued, have their own motives and are likely to cause
events and take sides. Conflict is central to these stories. Propp’s theory has been
applied to films, television and even news. It can sometimes be difficult to apply but
often applies well to crime dramas, thrillers, horror movies etc
Todorov’s theory
Todorov’s idea is perhaps more useful to you. He saw narratives as structured
around a basic formula:
Equilibrium - Disequilibrium - New equilibrium
Equilibrium means balance, so the idea is that with most narratives there is calm at
the start, then a disruption that causes things to become upset or unbalanced. Then,
at the end, things return to some sort of balanced, calm state. Of course, there can
be numerous disruptions within the plot and often there is some kind of climax before
the final state of calm is achieved.
Classical Hollywood narrative
This is a typical Hollywood narrative structure, whereby the story is driven by the
protagonist (main character) and there is a strong sense of closure: all enigmas that
are raised are resolved at the end. You need to be aware of this traditional structure
so you can comment when a film does not do this, e.g. it leaves some loose ends or
leaves the audience in suspense. Examples are The Italian Job or Lock, Stock and
Two Smoking Barrels.
Causality
Theory/idea Definition Example
This is the term given to the relationship betweenRussian fairy story what makes a
Propp investigated Russian fairy story
Propp investigated two events. It is
narrative. For example, the king dying andand said there are set character a narrative.
narratives and said there aredying is not types
narratives then his wife set character
There has to be some kind of cause and effect. associated with So, the fairy and the
and eventsevents Therefore, the king dying
types and associated with them. them. So, the
queen dying of grief is a narrative. If you find this hardsame types of
story genre genre contains the same types of
fairy story contains the to remember, just try to
Vladimir Propp’s characters/events. Propp identified:
characters/events. Propp identified:
remember that narratives are made upherocause and effect and you won’t go far
of
theory • The hero
• The
wrong. • The villain
• The villain
• The donor
• The donor
• The dispatcher
• The dispatcher
• The helper
• The helper
• The princess
• The princess
All these characters, he argued, have their own
All these characters, he argued, have their
motives and are likelylikely to cause eventstake
own motives and are to cause events and
sides. Conflict is central is centralstories.
and take sides. Conflict to these to these
Propp’s Propp’shas been applied to films,to
stories. theory theory has been applied tv
and even and evencan sometimes be difficult to
films, tv news. It news. It can sometimes be
apply butto apply but often applies well to
difficult often applies well to crime dramas,
thrillers, horrorthrillers, etc
crime dramas, movies horror movies etc