Narrative Structure Analysis: Labovian Approach

BYIsmail A. Abdulla Perdawdy

Assist. Lecturer, MA in English

Dept. of Information & Library

2 0 1 4

The aims of the seminarIntroducing Narrative and Narratology

Talking about the importance of narrative

Introducing Labovian Approach to Narrative Structure Analysis

What is narrative

Definition of Narrative 1

A narrative is a text which tells a story. It differs from most other types of text in that it relates a connected series of events, either real or fictional, in a more or less orderly manner.

ر�استةقينة

� خةيالي

Narrative is the recapitulation of past

experience.

Definition of Narrative 2

Narratology is the science that studies

narratives.

What is Narratology?

What are the types or forms of narrative

Types/Forms of narrative are

Parables

Types/Forms of narrative

Myths/Epics and Poems

Types/Forms of narrative

Tall tales

Types/Forms of narrative

Novels and short stories

Types/Forms of narrative

Plays

Julius Caesar

Hab û Nabû/

Rajab

Types/Forms of narrative

News

Why telling stories

What are the functions?

We tell stories to…

teach lessons So relate

the story; perhaps they may reflect (Al-A’araf: 176 )

We tell stories to…

Entertain

We tell stories to…

give information

Narrative and Labovian Approach

William Labov

In Labovian Approach narratives have 6 elements:

1.Abstract 2.Orientation 3.Complicating Action 4.Evaluation5.Result or Resolution 6.Coda

Each of the six answers a question of the listener or reader

What was the narrative about? 

1. Abstract

2. Orientatio

n  who, when, what, where?

3. Complicating Actions

Then what happened?

4. Evaluation

so what?

5. Result or Resolution

what finally happened?

 

6. Coda

It prevents any further questions regarding the story events.

The whole theory can be seen on the diagram below:

Labov’s

Narrative

Structure

Abstract

Orientation

Complicating Actions

Evaluation

Resolution

Coda