NARRATIVE STRUCTUREBy Adam Wareing

SINGLE STRANDED NARRATIVE

WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF A MULTI STRANDED NARRATIVE?This Narrative has only on subject matter throughout the production to maintain the audience’s focus. This would be used when a particular subject is of significant importance.

MULTI STRANDED NARRATIVE

WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF A MULTI STRANDED NARRATIVE?This narrative covers multiple subjects throughout the programme to form the overall exposition. This may be due to the fact that the exposition has a multiple of factors that must be considered to fully understand the broader subject.

LINEAR NARRATIVE

WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF A LINEAR NARRATIVE?This narrative follows chronological order to present events to the audience as they happened. This helps to build up suspense and maintain viewing figures through the programme.

NON-LINEAR NARRATIVE

WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF A NON LINEAR NARRATIVE?This narrative is not in chronological order and places scenes in order to create suspense in the documentary, slowly revealing the exposition. This is also a good way to maintain viewers through the whole programme as unchronological scenes can create unanswered questions that may or may not be answered later on in the documentary.

CIRCULAR STRANDED NARRATIVE

WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF A CIRCULAR STRANDED NARRATIVE?By Using the last chronological scene at the opening of the documentary, it creates unanswered questions just like non linear narratives. These questions are then answered as the documentary’s exposition becomes clearer s the programme develops, maintaining the interest of the audience.

OPEN NARRATIVE

WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF AN OPEN NARRATIVE DOCUMENTERY?This is where the documentary allows the audience to make their own mind up as one singular exposition is not pointed towards. The option of choosing their own exposition allows the audience to draw their own conclusions and limits complaints of bias from viewers too.

CLOSED NARRATIVE

WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF A CLOSED NARRATIVE DOCUMENTARY?A clear exposition is portrayed throughout the documentary and the audience is left with a knowledge of the subject. This exposition is also tied up with any preconceived questions are answered.