Narrative framing

Definition

Narrative framing is a storytelling technique that shapes how a story is perceived by presenting it through a specific lens or context. This technique influences the audience's understanding and interpretation of events by highlighting certain details while downplaying others. It plays a crucial role in adaptation and intertextuality by allowing creators to manipulate the narrative structure to evoke specific responses or align with particular themes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Narrative framing can create biases in how the audience perceives characters and events, often steering them toward a particular interpretation.
2. In adaptations, narrative framing allows creators to shift the focus or tone of the original work, making it resonate with contemporary audiences.
3. Framing can involve visual elements such as cinematography or editing choices that contribute to how a story is presented on screen.
4. Narrative framing is often used in journalism and media to influence public perception of issues by emphasizing specific narratives over others.
5. Different cultures may frame stories uniquely, leading to varying interpretations and meanings based on cultural context and values.

Review Questions

• How does narrative framing influence audience perception in storytelling?
  • Narrative framing influences audience perception by guiding their interpretation of the story through selective emphasis on certain elements while minimizing others. By presenting the narrative from a specific angle or perspective, creators can evoke particular emotions or responses from the audience. This technique shapes the overall understanding of characters and events, ultimately determining how the audience relates to the narrative.
• Discuss how narrative framing can alter an adaptation's relationship to its source material.
  • Narrative framing can significantly alter an adaptation's relationship to its source material by changing how the original themes, characters, or events are represented. By choosing different frames, such as focusing on certain character motivations or societal issues, adaptations can resonate more with contemporary audiences or highlight specific messages. This alteration in framing can lead to new interpretations of the source material, allowing it to remain relevant while also creating distinct storytelling experiences.
• Evaluate the impact of narrative framing on intertextuality within adaptations and how it affects audience engagement.
  • Narrative framing has a profound impact on intertextuality within adaptations as it determines how references to other texts are perceived and understood. By establishing a particular frame, creators can highlight connections between their work and existing narratives, enriching the viewing experience for audiences who recognize these links. This engagement fosters deeper discussions about themes and influences across texts, allowing viewers to appreciate not just the adaptation itself but also its place within a broader cultural context.

Related terms

point of view: The perspective from which a story is told, which can significantly affect how events are interpreted and understood.

intertextuality: The relationship between texts, where one text references or echoes another, influencing its meaning and context.

narrative structure: The organized framework that dictates how a story unfolds, including the sequence of events, character development, and plot progression.