5 Types of

Narrative
Structure
CAN WE START AT THE END?
Narrative Structure
Narrative structure, a literary element, is
generally described as the structural framework
that underlies the order and manner in which a
narrative is presented to a reader, listener, or
viewer. Generally, the narrative structure of any
work can be divided into three sections, which is
referred to as the three-act structure:

• Act 1 – Setup

• Act 2 – Conflict

• Act 3 – Resolution
5 Types of Narrative Structure
Linear / Chronological

Non-Linear / Fractured

Parallel

Circular / Epic

Interactive
Why is a “Story Arc” in a series, called an “ARC”?
 A story is told in a chronological order.

This type of structure may include flashbacks

but the majority of the story is told as it occurs.
Linear / Most books are written this way to avoid
Chronological confusion to its readers as it lacks visuals and
relies on imagination.
 A nonlinear structure tells the story out of chronological
order, jumping disjointedly through the timeline.
Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar and Memento are
Non-Linear/ examples of this narrative structure, as it switches
between multiple characters at different points in time.
Fractured
 Two or more separate stories meets together at the end.
One of the best examples of Parallel Narratives is
Finding Nemo.

Parallel
 In a circular narrative, the story ends where it began.
Although the starting and ending points are the same,
the character(s) undergo a transformation, affected by
the story's events. J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings is a
perfect example of this narrative.
Circular
 The reader / viewer makes choices throughout the
interactive narrative, leading to new options and
alternate endings. These stories are most prominent as

Interactive / "choose your own adventure" books / movies.

Branching
The 7 Basic Plots
PLOT DEVICES TO WRITE YOUR STORIES
 • Overcoming the Monster - In the stories, this is where
the hero must destroy the monster to restore balance to
the world.

• Rags to Riches - In the stories, this is where a modest

7 Basic Plots and moral but downtrodden character achieves a happy

ending when their natural talents are displayed to the
Overcoming the Monster
world at large.

Rags to Riches • The Quest - The hero, often accompanied by sidekicks,

travels in search of a priceless treasure and must defeat
The Quest
evil and overcome powerful odds, and ends when he gets
Voyage and Return both the treasure and the girl.
Comedy • Voyage and Return - Stories of normal protagonists who
Tragedy are suddenly thrust into strange and alien worlds and
must make their way back to normal life once more.
Rebirth
Examples of this are Alice in Wonderland, or Cast Away.
 • Comedy - Not in the "Haha" that's funny kind of way, but
more in the Shakespeare kind of way. The plot of a
comedy involves some kind of confusion that must be
resolved before the hero and heroine can be united in
love - very dramatic irony which provokes laughter.
7 basic plots • Tragedy - As a rule, the consequences of human
overreaching and egotism. Julius Caesar, Romeo and
Overcoming the Monster Juliet, Hamlet etc... Stories from this category are usually
very self evident.
Rags to Riches

The Quest
• Rebirth This story archetype almost always has a
threatening shadow that seems nearly victorious until a
Voyage and Return sequence of fortuitous (or even miraculous) events lead
Comedy
to redemption and rebirth, and the restoration of a
happier world. The best example of this is "A Christmas
Tragedy Carol" where Scrooge much change his ways in order to
not be hated and have a much better impact on the world
Rebirth
around him.
Film Genres
RO M A N C E ? C O M E DY ? YO U N A M E I T.

Romance
Romance, as pointed out, is a type
of fiction, comprising idealized
love, chivalry, obsessive
association with somebody or
some idea, and mysterious
adventures.
Three of the most notable romance plot devices are:
• Friends become lovers
• You’re my soulmate, it’s fate
• This is my second chance to love again
Things to keep in mind when writing Romantic Films:
• Know your audience - According to survey results
from Romance Writers of America, 84 percent
of romance readers are women and 16 percent are men
— up from 9 percent a few years ago.
Drama Three of the most notable drama plot (in PH) devices are:

Drama is a genre in literature / • Black sheep of the family fights back.

entertainment wherein the tone is
• Illegitimate daughter / son finds out she / he’s adopted.
intended to be more serious and
emotional. Relational development • Woman and cheating husband.
of realistic characters.
Action Three of the most notable action plot (in PH) devices are:

This major genre type includes • Guy friend 1 betrays guy friend 2.
films that have tremendous • Smuggling of illegal substance / devices, has been found by
impact, continuous high energy, the protagonist.
lots of physical stunts and activity,
possibly extended chase scenes, • Guy 1 gets chased for a crime he did not commit.
races, rescues, battles, martial
arts, etc,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0uh_BIv1oY
Comedy Three of the most notable comedy plot devices are:

A genre of film wherein the • Love and sex gets a twist.

characters provoke laughter from
• Collective characters (family or friends) with awkward and
the audience. It exists in every
amusing dispositions.
culture on earth (though the
specifics of comedy can be very • Farce, or things that doesn’t make sense, makes sense with
different from one culture to the characters.
another), and has always been an
extremely popular genre of
storytelling.
Horror/Thriller Three of the most notable horror plot devices are:

Horror story, a story in which the • Family moves into house that probably has a grim history.
focus is on creating a feeling of
• Person inherits a mysterious doll/device from someone.
fear. Such tales are of ancient
origin and form a substantial part • Friends went to an adventure they didn’t hope for.
of the body of folk literature.