Monday, 30 September 2013

The meaning of the terms genre and narrative

Genre

The term genre refers to a category of media products that are classified as being similar in form or type. There are many different types of genre. These may include; Sci-fi, horror, thriller, comedy, romance, fantasy and adventure.

Narrative

The term narrative is made up of two parts; the story and the narrative structure. The story is sequence of events, often referred to as the plot. The narrative structure is the way those events are revealed to the audience whether it is linear or non-linear.

Linear Structure

The sequence of events are shown in the order that they took place so it would go beginning, middle and end. This is the most popular form of narrative structure used in films or TV shows. Films which use a linear structure are Prometheus, The Dark Knight Rises and The Shawshank Redemption.
The Shawshank Redemption
Prometheus













Non-Linear Structure

The sequence of events are revealed out of the expected order, so it would go end, beginning, middle and end. This creates a atmosphere in the audience because they would want to know what happens before the end. Films which have used a non-linear structure successful are Memento, Pulp Fiction and Once Upon a Time in America.
Pulp Fiction
Memento


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