1. What is ‘Story’?
Story:
Synopsis (summary) of the story from War of the Worlds:
What is ‘Narrative’?
Narrative:
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2. Narrative Structure
Most films appear to follow a similar pattern in terms of their structure. The following 5 stages
explain what events happen in each stage of the narrative. This theory is based on the ideas of
Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. His ideas have been applied to almost every type of narrative,
for many centuries.
Task
Exposition
Development
Complication
Climax
Resolution
War of the Worlds (2006)
Exposition
Development
Complication
Climax
Resolution
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
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3. Exposition
Development
Complication
Climax
Resolution
Tzvetan Todorov Theory of Narrative
Todorov breaks the narrative process down into five stages:
Task
Equilibrium
Disruption
Recognition
Repair
Reinstatement
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
Equilibrium
Disruption
Recognition
Repair
3

4. Reinstatement
War of the Worlds (2006)
Equilibrium
Disruption
Recognition
Repair
Reinstatement
4