Narrative Theories: Linear & Non-Linear

Narrative is the telling of a story through a presentation of events.

Linear

is the order in which events are portrayed correspond to the order in which they occur.

Beginning - Middle - End

Beginning
Description of setting

Middle
Events leading to climax (most tensional drama in the story)

End
Resolution, problems are resolved or accepted.

•  Events happen in linear sequence is also known as the plot (main events in story), includes subplots (additional supporting story lines).

• Parallel plots - a narrative features more than one plot with both of these carrying equal importance, sometimes emerging at the end.

Examples of Films:

Linear:

Non-Linear: