Definition: Narrative structure is the way a work tells a story and conveys thoughts. The creator of a work arranges the narrative framework with technics like dramatic conflict, to reinforce the content in the work, such as a character’s experiences and opinions, or the protagonist’s values. The audience is influenced by the narrative structure in the process of viewing, so they can empathize with the characters in the work, agree with or disagree with certain points of view.
Context: The concept of narrative structure was first introduced by ancient Greek philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato, and it became popular as a critical concept in the 20th century. Roland Barthes, Vladimir Propp, Joseph Campbell, and Northrop Frye debated whether human narratives have certain universal, deep structural elements in common at that time.
Application: Narrative structure is very common in life, it is ubiquitous in audiovisual media and text to affect the audience’s viewing experience. Most forms of narrative fall under four main categories: linear narrative, nonlinear narrative, interactive narration, and interactive narrative. Quentin’s Pulp Fiction uses nonlinear narrative techniques to present three parts of a story with the chronology broken up. Some gamebooks and video games use interactive narratives to bring players different endings depending on the player’s choices, such as Detroit: Become Human.
Sources
Author Learning Center. (n.d.) How to structure a story: The fundamentals of narrative. Retrieved May 28, 2022, from https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/fiction/w/plot-planning/6366/how-to-structure-a-story-the-fundamentals-of-narrative—article
Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, May 23). Narrative structure. Wikipedia. Retrieved May 28, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narrative_structure
Related topics: Narrative Analysis, Trope