Non-linear text

ST: New Literacies in Practice

Kist asks several questions on page 10 of The Socially Networked Classroom concerning how we read texts. Traditionally stories start at the beginning, tell us a story in a neat plot diagram, and then end. In fact, it seems like we are still teaching our students the plot diagram as a way of dissecting a story or creating their own.

However, it seems like popular movies and novels are starting to use non-linear storytelling methods.  In fact, upon looking up non-linear narratives I was surprised to read that many early stories and movies were already diverting from our neat plot diagram. 

For example, in Sliding Doors, we follow the character through a critical choice in her life. We are presented with two separate "endings" as we follow how her life would be if she had chosen to either stay with her boyfriend or leave him. Momento is one of the more extreme examples of nonlinear storytelling which is considered reverse chronology where the story is literally told backwords. I was surprised that upon looking up this term which I would consider rather new to literacy, that there were many examples of media already using this long before 2001 (One example is from the Arabian Nights for example.) Even TV shows like Lost and Damages rely on flashbacks and flash forwards to offer clues to a story.

Remember those "Chose Your Way Adventure Books" that allowed you to create a story based on your choices-- one that was different every time? Reading the web is like that as we can click on hyperlinks or search other terms while we read. Young Adult books like First Part Last and Holes use nonlinear plots at times.

Why does an author write in nonlinear fashion? (#5   pg. 19)

Personally, I think it is more interesting storytelling when the story is nonlinear in fashion. To start at the end and give us the conclusion makes us curious to learn how this situation came about. Reverse Chronology like Momento creates confusion and mystery that fits the genre of the movie and puts us in the character's situation of not knowing what will be next. Flashbacks give us clues to help us piece together parts of a story like Lost. 

I think this narrative style is effective because it is realistic to how we think and act in life. We are living in the present, but we constantly think back and reflect to the past and other events and connections in our life as we read, watch TV, listen to songs. Flashbacks seem natural to us.

The other reason this style is effective is that it leads to discussion and interaction with the story. We have to keep track of details and information. The characters seem more complex with histories. We piece together parts of a mystery by discussing with others. We feel part of the text because it seems alive.