Narrative and Genre

Narrative Events• Audiences expect to see specific plot situations in a

particular genre

• Audiences become familiar with the structure of the plot and anticipate events and situations that will occur in the overall narrative

Think of some examples?

Not only fictional events

Location report in a news broadcast

Action replay in a football match

In fictional texts specific genres have their own predictable narrative events

Police drama - confrontation with criminal

Soap opera - family argument

Can you think of other examples?

Audiences have a sense of satisfaction when these events occur, as they confirm its understanding of the genre and expectations what will happen

Newspaper and Magazines have a narrative formula

Broadsheet newspaper– Domestic events– World events– Editorials– Business and finance– Sport at the back including the back page

Iconography

This genre convention is related to objects costumes and props associated with particular genres and to raise audience expectations

Casualty/ER

We understand the function and purpose

Iconography and period

Iconography can establish realism of another time. Cars, clothing etc

Heartbeat Ashes to AshesCSI

Clothing

Clothing has a significant function

White coat with Stethoscope ?

Beer stained scruffy jacket ?

Setting

A further generic convention closely related to narrative events and can be genre and text specific. Think of the opening of CSI Miami. The Everglades is a feature of the opening credits.This prepares the audience for the following programme.

Technical Codes

How a text is filmed/edited and constructed, whether it be moving image or print communicates information to audiences regarding the genre.– Layout– Design

– Editing

Camera ShotsTense thrillerclose up shot to emphasize tension

POV shots

encourage user to play as themselves

Audio Codes

Sound effects

• Action films - explosions

• Hospital drama - heart monitors

Audio Codes

Non-diegetic

• Documentary - voice over

• Situation comedy - canned laughter

• Romantic film - mood music

Audio Codes

Diegetic sound

Dialogue in movies gives us an indication to the genre.

In hospital drama the use of technical language become familiar.

Audio Codes

Music

Through repetition music can be an indicator of genre. Think

‘Eastenders’

‘Skins’

‘Match of the day’