narrative structure (1 Viewer)

[annamolly]

Hi !

Is narrative structure -- linear, non-linear an effective literary technique, and what kind of story structure would an interactive game where the story is shaped by player decisions take? Just non-linear ? Given that 1984 is a three-act sort of structure.

 

[Masaken]

yes it is, but non-linear and basically other kinds of structure that aren't standard linear are pretty effective - they also show that you acknowledge the text as its appropriate text type (eg. using dramatic features and structure as ur techniques shows that you acknowledge the text is a drama and approach it as such).

i'm not too sure about an interactive game, but wouldn't that be linear unless the game has flashbacks or options that take you to different parts of the story in a non-linear direction? 1984 is also linear and overall follows a typical story that builds upon the previous (first establishing the world of 1984, then getting the plot to move forward through winston forming connections with other people, then finally his getting caught by the party). in discussing this you'll have to be pretty clear on why orwell chose a linear structure, what it reveals about the characters or the plot or what it allows us as the audience to see (which can get a little difficult seeing as linear is the standard narrative structure anyway, and 1984 is typical prose fiction)