TSR Wiki > Study Help > Subjects and Revision > Revision Notes > Media Studies > Soaps - Narrative Structure
- This is the ‘hook’ for a soap audience. It is a fundamental generic code
- Narrative pleasure evokes satisfaction in audiences.
Narratives in soap have the following conventions:
- Open ended narratives- no closure at the end of the episode, the only time when there are moments of closure is with a death or departure of a character. (1964 episode of Corro when a popular est. character at the time (Martha) dies)
- Cliffhangers- give audience an urge to see how the story will conclude and continue. (Phil and grant returning out of the taxi)
- Multiple narratives- the amount of narrative strands has increased and developed over the years, as researchers have spotted audience’s values of gossip and wanting to know everything about everyone (Chardenfroid).
- Average up to six storylines in progress in one episode.
- Storylines are able to be run for months or years and can be left then returned to. (Den’s return to Eastenders and Bet to the Rovers in Corro) (Neighbours was successful as plots came thick and fast and storylines do not last long, therefore if audiences didn’t like a story, it will end in a few days)
- Segmentation –switching from one narrative strand to another, quite abruptly to keep audience’s attention.( 1964 episode of Corro, the strands average 4mins=long time compared to nowadays. It was restricted camera movement, explains the long shots and opening credits)
- Try to be innovative, intrigue and shock their audiences to retain- (Brookie broke taboos with lesbian kiss, incest etc, however Corro and Enders eventually followed suit (Hayley Cropper reveles transsexual) this was part of Brookie’s decline, as it wasn’t original anymore.) (Richard Hillman in Corro and Joe Obslom who killed Saskia in Enders)
(In H+A Zoe turning out to be the Bay’s stalker) also (Deedry found guilty, sent to prison caused newspaper campaigns for her release)
- Illusion that parallels real time- characters enjoying same cultural events we the audience do (Christmas, valentines, World cup etc) Makes audience believe that the characters lives still continue once the cameras stop rolling. (Brookie “Thatcher’s Britain” time, political issues of unemployment (Damon Grant and Billy Corkhill) were addressed attracting young people and men concerned with these issues)
Comments
These notes are based on the requirements for AQA A2 Media Studies, though will be relevant for other boards too.
Some of the examples may need updating for current exams (though still valid, there are more recent examples you could use).
