Genre and narrative conventions

Genre Conventions

Genre refers to distinct types or classifications of media, whether film, radio, television, or print. Each genre uses a specific set of conventions, rules, and expectations that audiences can identify.
Genres can be broad such as comedy, drama, and action, while others can be more specific like romantic comedy, psychological thriller or screwball comedy.
Genres can also be classified according to themes, settings, or subject matter e.g. science fiction, fantasy, crime, etc.
Over time, a genre can evolve, and sub-genres can develop due to innovative practices or unique styles.

Genre Conventions in Media

Genre conventions inform audience expectations and often dictate how a story is structured, the kind of character archetypes used, the setting, the pace and plot devices.
These conventions include iconography; recurring symbolic elements that are identifiable in a specific genre, for example, spaceships in science fiction, or a magnifying glass in detective stories.
Unique narrative structures and themes are central to genre conventions. Adventure genres may follow a hero’s quest, while horror genres focus on fear and suspense.
The use of certain mood and settings are often associated with specific genres. Dark, eerie settings are seen in horror genres and futuristic settings in science fiction.

Narrative Conventions

Narrative refers to the way in which a story is told in either a single media text or across multiple texts.
Central to narrative are characters, setting, and plot, which along with the genre, help shape the story.
Stories often follow a particular structure, also known as a narrative arc, such as setup, conflict, climax, and resolution.
There are dominant narrative theories such as Todorov’s theory which talks of equilibrium, disruption, recognition of disruption, attempt to repair, and new equilibrium. Similarly, there’s Propp’s theory, character-based, outlining hero, villain, princess, dispatcher, helper, donor, and false hero.

Narrative Conventions in Media

Chronological narratives tell the story in the order events occurred. Others may use non-linear narratives with flashbacks or jumps in time to create tension or reveal important information.
Some narratives use openings that establish the setting, introduce characters, and set up the story’s key conflict.
Closures allow the resolution of the narrative. These can be open, inferring continuation, or closed, signifying the end.
Media creators often use character archetypes to drive the narrative. Archetypes are broad characters that represent universal patterns and experiences.
Different types of narrative tensions and conflicts are used to engage the audience, such as man vs man, man vs self, and man vs society.

The comprehension of genre and narrative conventions allows for better navigation and understanding of media representations.