GCSE Media Studies, Action Adventure, SOW, Yr 11, OCR

1. es:
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2. Match the Words and Definitions
• You have a range of different narrative
techniques.
• You must match the key terms in the red box
to the definitions.

3. Narrative Techniques
Match up
Binary Oppositions
Where the narrative has a definitive ending and all problems are solved.
Multi-strand
Where the narrative is open to be added on to; this could be in the form of a sequel. There
isn’t a definitive ending.
Open Narrative
Where the narrative is left open with the audience not knowing what will happen next. It is
used to keep the audience interested in the hope that they will watch on.
Ellipsis
A technique where the audience or the characters are led to believe something different;
they are tricked or ‘led up the wrong garden path’.
Circular Narrative
Where a text builds up a feeling of anxiety and uncertainty about the outcome amongst the
audience. This could be through music, editing or the characters’ actions.
Closed Narrative
Where there are a number of different stories within one media text.
Cliffhanger
Where the narrative goes full circle and the ending/resolution is the same as
beginning/equilibrium.
Red Herring
A type of editing whereby a mixture of different shots/images, usually over time, are edited
together to give the effect that time has passed.
Suspense
A theory thought up by Levi-Strauss whereby opposites are used to create conflict and drive
the narrative forward.
Montage
A technique used to miss out big chunks of time.

4. Narrative Techniques
Closed Narrative
Where the narrative has a definitive ending and all problems are solved.
Open Narrative
Where the narrative is open to be added on to; this could be in the form of a sequel. There
isn’t a definitive ending.
Cliffhanger
Where the narrative is left open with the audience not knowing what will happen next. It is
used to keep the audience interested in the hope that they will watch on.
Red Herring
A technique where the audience or the characters are led to believe something different;
they are tricked or ‘led up the wrong garden path’.
Suspense
Where a text builds up a feeling of anxiety and uncertainty about the outcome amongst the
audience. This could be through music, editing or the characters’ actions.
Multi-strand
Where there are a number of different stories within one media text.
Circular Narrative
Where the narrative goes full circle and the ending/resolution is the same as
beginning/equilibrium.
Montage
A type of editing whereby a mixture of different shots/images, usually over time, are edited
together to give the effect that time has passed.
Binary Oppositions
A theory thought up by Levi-Strauss whereby opposites are used to create conflict and drive
the narrative forward.
Ellipsis
A technique used to miss out big chunks of time.

5. Bourne Identity
• How did the film use Todorov’s structure?
• What ‘stock characters’ were identifiable?
• Which binary oppositions are included and what effect do
they have?
• Name three narrative techniques (from our starter) that you
can apply to the film.
• Challenge: What effect do the narrative techniques have for
the audience?

6. How are these being represented?

7. Recap: What is Representation?
• The way in which people, place or events are shown,
portrayed or represented.
• Representation goes through a process of mediation
– to give a specific meaning.
Key Words:
Positive
• Negative
• Stereotype

8. Representation of Male Characters
Heroes:
Spider-Man
Indiana Jones
Batman
Luke Skywalker
James Bond
List how the above characters are represented.
Key Words:
Positive
Negative
Patriarchal Dominant
Hero
Villain

9. Practically Apply
• From your analysis of the
still images, use your
knowledge of Bourne
Identity explain how the
hero, Jason Bourne, is
represented.

10. Quick Quiz
1.
Which theorist came up with the idea that a narrative must
contain ‘stock characters’?
1.
Name three of the ‘stock characters’.
2.
What are the three parts of Todorov’s structure?
3.
What did Levi-Strauss say ‘drives’ the narrative?
4.
Name two other techniques a narrative may use.
Extension: What effect do these techniques have for an audience?