Narrative and Genre

'The second in the Key Concepts series, this clearly presented textbook should reassure A-level pupils new to the subject and yet avoid patronising undergraduates. The exercises are humorously presented and Lacey negotiates the complexities of narrative theory with confidence.' - Sight and Sound 'An admirable effort at achieving a balance between the complexity of the codes and conventions and the need for accessibility.' - Des Murphy, Media Education Journal 'A logically organised and concise introduction to the basic ideas related to narrative and genre. The book 'works' because it is structured the way the material might be taught - in a cumulative manner... His strategy for interweaving concrete examples and theoretical concepts is particularly effective. Its exercises have been thoughtfully conceived to encourage students to think laterally about the concepts.' - Laurie E. Harnick, Scope "/p>

It then moves on to offer an extensive analysis of the basic schema and conventions of genre, drawing on the film noir, the TV cop genre and science fiction for examples, and showing how the repertoire of elements of each ranges across setting, character, narrative, iconography, style and stars.

Narrative and Genre introduces students to these key concepts in media studies, complementing Image and Representation published in 1998. It covers the major narrative theorists including Todorov, Propp, Levi-Strauss, Barthes and applies their ideas via case examples ranging from The X Files to newspaper reporting. It then moves on to offer an extensive analysis of the basic schema and conventions of genre, drawing on the film noir, the TV cop genre and science fiction for examples, and showing how the repertoire of elements of each ranges across setting, character, narrative, iconography, style and stars. Fresh, down-to-earth and well-structured, this is an excellent text for all those in post-16 education, whether in school, college or university.
Narrative and Genre introduces students to these key concepts in media studies, complementing Image and Representation published in 1998. It covers the major narrative theorists including Todorov, Propp, Levi-Strauss, Barthes and applies their ideas via case examples ranging from The X Files to newspaper reporting. It then moves on to offer an extensive analysis of the basic schema and conventions of genre, drawing on the film noir, the TV cop genre and science fiction for examples, and showing how the repertoire of elements of each ranges across setting, character, narrative, iconography, style and stars. Fresh, down-to-earth and well-structured, this is an excellent text for all those in post-16 education, whether in school, college or university.