Post by Jamison on Jul 8, 2012 14:00:32 GMT -6
What is the difference between linear and non-linear storytelling? And how can a writer make best use of nonlinear development of a story?
Non-linear storytelling can be used to heighten suspense, drama, intrigue and audience engagement, but writers should have a strong grasp of story construction and the linear narrative before embarking on a non-linear development.
What is Linear Narrative?
Linear narrative follows the development of a story from beginning, through the middle, to the end, in chronological order, in other words as time passes so the story moves inexorably forward.
Sometimes a script will run several linear stories in parallel. The stories develop in the same time frame, and the action intercuts between them, sometimes the paths cross.
Alternatively, a linear story may be intercut with flashbacks of another story, which may or may not follow a linear progression. In other words the flashbacks might play out a story which progresses in a chronological order, or which may jump back and forwards in time, portraying events from different times in the past on the basis that they inform and influence the main story.
What is Non-linear Narrative?
Non-linear narrative in storytelling is a process of revealing the story, not by showing the events happening chronologically but by revealing events in a way that carefully controls the information that the audience receives.
The dramatic revelations are completely in the hands of the writer, who carefully manipulates the audience by choosing not only what facts to reveal, but when to reveal the most important elements of the story. In this way the writer gives the audience specially chosen pieces of the picture like a jigsaw puzzle, until the final story is revealed when the last piece is in place.
Linear Narrative Should Precede Every Non-linear Narrative
Like a jigsaw puzzle, the scriptwriter must have a clear idea of the complete picture, before he or she begins to chop it up. It’s important to develop the linear narrative, in logical chronological order, of the story first. In other words write a step outline, or rough outline of the story from beginning to end, first. In this way, it is easier to choose the scenes and the order of them for greatest dramatic impact when you come to write your actual script.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-linear Development
Non-linear development allows a talented writer greater control over what, how and when he or she gives the audience information. It is possible to tease, mislead, and manipulate the audience more with non-linear storytelling, by holding back vital information.
On the other hand, writers who like to start at “Page One”, and “see where an idea takes them” will not be well suited to non-linear narrative, as the exercise of constructing the non-linear drama requires much more technical expertise.
Beginning, Middle and End
The traditional approach to constructing a story is not affected by non-linear development. What is different, is that the beginning, middle and end are not defined by chronology.
There should still be a beginning, where the characters are introduced and the dramatic conflict set up; there should be a middle, where the main dramatic development gets underway and reaches a crisis point; and there should still be a climax with resolution and revelations at the end. The only difference is that in non-linear development, the scenes are not played out in chronological order.
Read more at Suite101: Linear Storytelling and Non-Linear Narrative | Suite101.com suite101.com/article/linear-storytelling-and-non-linear-narrative-a327242#ixzz203wa6Uld
Non-linear storytelling can be used to heighten suspense, drama, intrigue and audience engagement, but writers should have a strong grasp of story construction and the linear narrative before embarking on a non-linear development.
What is Linear Narrative?
Linear narrative follows the development of a story from beginning, through the middle, to the end, in chronological order, in other words as time passes so the story moves inexorably forward.
Sometimes a script will run several linear stories in parallel. The stories develop in the same time frame, and the action intercuts between them, sometimes the paths cross.
Alternatively, a linear story may be intercut with flashbacks of another story, which may or may not follow a linear progression. In other words the flashbacks might play out a story which progresses in a chronological order, or which may jump back and forwards in time, portraying events from different times in the past on the basis that they inform and influence the main story.
What is Non-linear Narrative?
Non-linear narrative in storytelling is a process of revealing the story, not by showing the events happening chronologically but by revealing events in a way that carefully controls the information that the audience receives.
The dramatic revelations are completely in the hands of the writer, who carefully manipulates the audience by choosing not only what facts to reveal, but when to reveal the most important elements of the story. In this way the writer gives the audience specially chosen pieces of the picture like a jigsaw puzzle, until the final story is revealed when the last piece is in place.
Linear Narrative Should Precede Every Non-linear Narrative
Like a jigsaw puzzle, the scriptwriter must have a clear idea of the complete picture, before he or she begins to chop it up. It’s important to develop the linear narrative, in logical chronological order, of the story first. In other words write a step outline, or rough outline of the story from beginning to end, first. In this way, it is easier to choose the scenes and the order of them for greatest dramatic impact when you come to write your actual script.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-linear Development
Non-linear development allows a talented writer greater control over what, how and when he or she gives the audience information. It is possible to tease, mislead, and manipulate the audience more with non-linear storytelling, by holding back vital information.
On the other hand, writers who like to start at “Page One”, and “see where an idea takes them” will not be well suited to non-linear narrative, as the exercise of constructing the non-linear drama requires much more technical expertise.
Beginning, Middle and End
The traditional approach to constructing a story is not affected by non-linear development. What is different, is that the beginning, middle and end are not defined by chronology.
There should still be a beginning, where the characters are introduced and the dramatic conflict set up; there should be a middle, where the main dramatic development gets underway and reaches a crisis point; and there should still be a climax with resolution and revelations at the end. The only difference is that in non-linear development, the scenes are not played out in chronological order.
Read more at Suite101: Linear Storytelling and Non-Linear Narrative | Suite101.com suite101.com/article/linear-storytelling-and-non-linear-narrative-a327242#ixzz203wa6Uld