Re(de)fining Narrative Events: Examining Television Narrative

Structure
By Micheal J. Porter, Deborah L. Larson, Allison Harthcock, and Kelly
Berg Nellis

Thesis presented: The authors state the Scene Function Model

provides the language the tools to examine and understand
television narratives (23). Through this we are able to understand the
structure of scenes and how is used to communicate the programs
narrative.

Key terms:
Story (24-25)
Discourse (25)
Kernels (26) & satellites (27)
Television narrative (23)

Major arguments:
Through their heavy emphasis of character development and
continuous storylines, television programs have transcended
traditional forms of media. They have become powerful
narratives that influence our societal views and create many
subcultures. (23-24)

By combining the function of kernels and satellites with the

Scene Function Model, we are enabled to further examine the
detailed structure of scenes to see how they (the scenes)
enhance the overall narrative. (25)

Kernels push a storyline forward while satellites enrich the story

with minor details. Even though the Scene Function Method
distinguishes these elements from one another in a break down
of a scenes structure, the overall function of a that scene may
be perceived differently by multiple viewers. (28-29)

Discussion questions:
How does the practical application of the Scene Function Model
improve our media literacy? What insight does it give us about
narrative storytelling?

In what specific ways has television shaped culture? How does

the medium of TV communicate in ways that other media
 cannot? Is it effective? Why do the narrative structures of
television programs connect with us on such a deep level?

Contribution to the field:

By providing the Scene Function Method the authors of this article have
brought the analyses of visual media to the forefront of narrative
criticism. While media criticism is nothing new, in a world that has
become dominated by visual and entertainment media we, as
rhetorical critics, must dig into its anatomy.