Types of Narrative Structure

Olivia Bent

Open ClosedV SThere are unanswered questions or loose ends that need to be tied up at the end of the narrative.

Usually left so the audience can make up their own minds.

There are no unanswered questions or loose ends, the narrative is complete.

Single Strand Multi-StrandV S

There is one narrative thread which runs throughout the whole narrative.

There are different narrative threads which sometimes converge in the narrative.

Linear Non- LinearV S

The events in the narrative follow chronological order. (order of time)

Doesn’t follow chronological order. Flashbacks and flash forward.

Circular NarrativeThe start and end points of the narrative are the same.