This document provides a list of 18 narrative theories, theorists, terms and descriptions that are useful for analyzing stories and plots. Some key concepts included are: 1. Claude Levi-Strauss' theory that stories use binary opposites like good vs evil. 2. Tzetvan Todorov's concept that narratives follow a structure of equilibrium, disequilibrium, then new equilibrium. 3. Terms like protagonist, antagonist, narrative, story, plot, climax, and linear vs. non-linear storytelling. 4. Roland Barthes' concept of the enigma code and proairetic code that drive narratives through mystery and anticipation. 5. Descriptions of different types

1. These are all matched up for you. Narrative
theorists/ theories you might use
Narrative theories, theorists and terms
1. Claude Levi-Strauss’ binary a) Stories are structured around pairs of opposites (good/ evil;
opposites male/ female) which audiences use to make meaning of a text.
2. Tzetvan Todorov’s theory that b) Stories establish normality at the start; then an agent of change
narrative follows “Equilibrium – disrupts this normality; at the end a new normality is
Disequilibrium – New Equilibrium” established.
3. Protagonist c) Lead character
d) Bad guy/ character that causes disruption (NB a character does
4. Antagonist not need to be a person; it could be an event)
5. Narrative e) Story + Plot = N________
6. Story f) The events that happen
7. Plot g) The order in which events are told
8. Climax/ crescendo h) The dramatic high point/ pinnacle of the narrative.
i) Drives narrative by an unanswered question (why did that
9. Enigma Code (Roland Barthes)
happen? What does that mean?)
10. Proairetic/ Action code (Roland j) Drives narrative through anticipation of an action’s resolution
Barthes) (Now that’s happened, what’s gonna happen next?)
11. Linear k) Where plot is in the same order as the story (chronological)
l) Where plot is in a different order to the story (non-
12. Non-linear
chronological)
m) A narrative that starts at the same point where it ends (e.g.
13. Circular
Fight Club; Pulp Fiction)
n) Two storylines that move alongside each other, cross-cutting
14. Parallel narrative
between the two.
15. Convergent narrative o) Two parallel stories that come together later in the narrative.
p) Where the plot splits up the story in to pieces, telling us a bit at
16. Fragmented narrative
a time. (e.g. Pulp Fiction)
17. Interweaving narrative q) Parallel narrative that occasionally cross-over each other
r) A text that doesn’t really tell a story, but evokes an impression
18. Impressionist narrative
of events that have taken place.
Other useful terms/ descriptions:
19. flashbacks/ flashforwards
20. real time
21. reversal
22. repetition
23. ellipsis
24. pre-figuring of events that have not yet taken place