VCE Media (Year 12) · Unit 3 — Narratives and Contexts · 16m read

Narrative Analysis — Story Elements and Codes in Studied Texts

Your studied narratives are the core of the exam. This topic sharpens how you analyse them in depth.

Learning objective: Analyse how codes, conventions and story elements construct narrative and engage audiences.

By the end of this lesson you can:

• I can analyse characters, setting, structure and point of view.
• I can link codes to narrative meaning.
• I can compare narratives.

Story elements are puzzle pieces. Characters, setting, conflict, structure and point of view are puzzle pieces. Codes and conventions are how they're cut and fitted together to reveal the full picture.

Narrative Analysis — Story Elements and Codes in Studied Texts

STORY ELEMENTS:
• Characters and character arcs, setting, structure (linear, non-linear), point of view, cause and effect, opening and resolution.

CODES IN NARRATIVE:
• Camera, sound, editing, lighting, acting, mise-en-scène shape audience understanding of story and character.

ENGAGEMENT:
• Suspense, identification with characters, enigma codes (questions posed to the audience), action codes.

COMPARISON:
• Compare narratives' structures, representations and contexts.

| Story element | Codes that construct it |
|---|---|
| Character | Costume, performance, camera framing, dialogue |
| Setting | Mise-en-scène, lighting, sound design |
| Conflict | Editing (cross-cutting), music |
| Point of view | POV shots, voice-over |
| Structure | Editing, flashbacks, title cards |
| Resolution | Final shot, music, closure |

Key ideas at a glance

• Link element to code: How it's constructed.
• Use specific scenes: Timestamps.
• Discuss audience engagement: Why it matters.
• Compare texts if required: Similarities and differences.

Worked example (Medium)

Explain how an opening sequence establishes an enigma.

1. Code. A close-up of an unexplained object with tense music.
2. Enigma. Raises a question in the audience's mind.
3. Engagement. Audiences keep watching to find the answer.

Answer: Codes pose a question (enigma code) that drives engagement.

Worked example (Hard)

Analyse how a final shot provides closure.

1. Code. Slow crane up from protagonist to wide landscape.
2. Music. Swelling major-key score.
3. Effect. Sense of peace and resolution.

Answer: Camera movement and music construct closure.

Common mistakes

• Over-describing plot Analysis is about construction and meaning. Fix: Link each example to codes and audience.

Practice questions

1. A question raised for the audience to solve is a(n):

   1. Action code
   2. Enigma code
   3. Cliffhanger
   4. Montage

   (1 marks)

2. How can point of view shape audience sympathy?

   (2 marks)

3. Voice-over narration mainly shapes:

   1. Point of view
   2. Lighting
   3. Costume
   4. Budget

   (1 marks)

4. Analyse how one code constructs a character in a studied narrative.

   (3 marks)

Summary

• Story elements and codes construct narrative.
• Engagement through enigma and suspense.
• Compare narratives and contexts.
• Codes construct story elements.