This document discusses narrative structure and viewpoint in media. It identifies three types of narrative structure: circular, episodic, and linear. It also identifies two types of narrative viewpoint: restricted and omniscient. Examples are provided for each type of structure and viewpoint. Common structures and viewpoints used in different genres are also discussed.

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Narrative
GCSE Media

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Narrative
 Structure
 Viewpoint

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Narrative Structure
 Circular
 Episodic
 Linear

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Circular Narrative
End
at the When a
film
begins

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Circular Narrative
 Examples:
 Mission Impossible 3 (2006):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLNUIU7AzTg
 Citizen Kane (1941):
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r0b_XeRkG4

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Episodic Narrative
events, or
When a is broken up
narrative
narrative into
pieces

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Episodic Narrative
 Examples:
 Forrest Gump (1994):
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvKzyYy6qvY
 Full Metal Jacket (1987):
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXhKpUfITV0&feature=relat
ed

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Linear Narrative
When a narrative is told in the
order in which events happen

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Linear Narrative
 Examples:
 The Matrix (1999):
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCUhFZnxoBU&feature=rela
ted
 The Sixth Sense (1999):
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN13toLMHpE

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Narrative Structure – Your Turn
 Think of an example for each structure:
 Circular
 Episodic
 Linear

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Narrative Viewpoint
 Restricted Narrative
 Omniscient Narrative

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Restricted Narrative
 The audience know as much as the characters do.
 If the character is puzzled, then the audience is too and we
must work out what is going on

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Restricted Narrative
 Examples:
 L.A Confidential (1997):
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArrhM8UbTww
 The Usual Suspects (1995):
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnGo6Qm0Wt8

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Omniscient Narrative
 Where the audience knows more than the main character
 Omniscient narratives create suspense rather than mystery
 We are given a God like view

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Omniscient Narrative
 Examples:
 Shallow Hal (2001):
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMLZnY2nLcw
 Independence Day (1996):
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwmghqyJ3Uk

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Narrative and Genre
 Can you think of a type of genre than might use a:
 Restricted Narrative?
 Omniscient Narrative?

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Summary
 Narrative Structure
 What are the three types of narrative structure?
 Give one example for each
 What type of narrative structure do most superhero movies
have?

18. +
Summary
 Narrative Viewpoints
 What are the two types of narrative viewpoint?
 Give one example for each.
 What type of narrative viewpoint do most superhero movies
have?