Monday, 15 September 2014

Narrative in the media

Narrative

  • Narrative is an important convention of media
  • Characters and events are packed into stories to present media texts. 
  • Narrative can be developed, for example in film drama and documentaries where the whole story is told.
  • Continuous narrative/serial narrative is used  for television news broadcasts and soap operas.
  • Mini narratives like short images seen on the news are called 'snapshots'.
Things that make up a narrative:
- Narrator
-Point of view
-Listener/audience
-Structure
-Genre. (Genre governs its setting, what's narrated about, the characters and the effect on the reader)

Genre

  • Setting has to make the genre recognisable. For example, for Gothic you would typically have a dark, old setting.
Characterisation 
  • The factors of characterisation are the complexity, status, function of character and the reliance on stereotypes and the emphasis on particular aspects of those characters-sexual,moral,,psychological.
  • This then links to the plot as the characters are a part of what makes it interesting.
Plot and Structure
  • Genre influences the plot. For example, romantic text always involves a desired object or person and is based on that pursuit.
  • Narratives are structured on the principle of the disorder(the problem), transgression or disequilibrium. 
Themes and Concern
  • Particular genres are concerned with exploring certain issues or themes. E.g romance text usually faces the issue of reason vs passion 
Pleasure, expectations and Narrative address.
  • Each genre creates expectations with the audience. These expectations are different types of pleasures. These are usually cognitive (problem solving, analytical) or affective (empathy,escapism).   
Style
  • Genre influences a films technique and the way its produced. The audience are usually able to tell what type of film they're watching.

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