Types-of-Narrative-Structure

TypesofNarrativeStructureENGL0349WhatisNarrativeStructure?•Amethodoftellingastory.WhyUseNarrativeStructure?•Engagesthereader•Allowsforcreativityandoriginality•Givesahumanperspectivetotheargumentsyouaremaking•ConnectsthereadertoyourideasTypesofNarrativeStructure•DifferentFrames•Three-ActStructure•Collage•BraidingDifferentFrames•Manipulatetheorderofeventsinthestory•Tellthestoryinaninterestingandorderlyway•Chronological•TimeManipulation•Circularstructure•ParallelnarrativeChronologicalFrame•Tellthestoryfrombeginningtoend,inchronologicalorder.•Example:fairytales,summaryofanevent•Whentouse:–Whenyouressayfocusesonasingleday/event–WhenyouressayhasamoralattheendTimeManipulation•Rearrangetheorderofevents–Compresstime(blendalltheactiontogether)–InMediaRes(starttheactioninthemiddleofthestory)–Flashbacks(switchfrompresenttimetosomethingthathappenedinthepast)•Examples:“TheTeacherWhoChangedMyLife”•WhentoUse:–Greatforintroductions(grabsthereader’sattention)–Usinganempiricalexampleforamessage(journalism)CircularNarrative•Endthestoryatthebeginning.Theentirenarrativeformsacircle.–Candothisbyrepeatingakeyword/phrase•Whentouse:–toshowarelationship/correlationofideas–Toindicatethatasituationhasnotchanged/willnotchangeFightatastatueWakeupinadifferentbodyLearnanewlessonaboutsomeoneyouhateKissatthesamestatueWakeupasyourselfParallelNarrative•Two(ormore)separatestoriesmergetogetherattheend•Whentouse:highlightsignificance/deepermeaningAllthreebecomeslavesinHoustonAnnameetsamanonlinewhopromisestomarryherandtakehertoAmericaRafaelcrossestheborderusingacoyotewhohaskidnappedhissonanddemandspaymentGhledya’sparentsallowtheirdaughtertosignupwithamodelingagencythatpromisestogetherajobinAmericanThree-ActStructure•ActI:Exposition(startingaction);introducecharacters,conflict,andproblem•ActII:Introducechallenges,obstacles,andsetbacks•ActIII:Resolvetheconflict;showthegrowthandchangeofthecharacters;answeranyunansweredquestionsThree-ActStructure•Whyimportant?–Weareusedtostoriesthathaveathree-actstructure,soyouranalysisandargumentsareinstantlyfamiliarandeasytofollow•Whentouse:–forlongeressays,wherealotofactiontakesplace–Whenfocusingonasingleperson/event,andtellingthateventinitsentirety•IntheThree-ActStructure,youcanusemultipledifferenttimeframestotellyournarrativeCollage•ThewritercreatesastorybyusingvarioussourcesWasCameronToddWillinghamwronglyexecuted?ThetrialandappealsprocessHowtheprosecutionfoundandanalyzedevidenceWhathappenedthedayofthefireCollage•WhyImportant?–Collagestructureusesmultiplesources,whichmakesyourargumentsmoreconvincing•WhentoUse:–Forlongeressays–Wheninvestigatinganevent/mystery–Whenwritingabiography