Visual Narrative Structure

Cohn, N. (2012) Visual Narrative Structure, Cognitive Science, a Multi-disciplinary Journal

LINK ：https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cogs.12016

After reading this article, I felt as if I had been led into the background of those comic grids, and for the first time truly saw through the secrets of those lines and the flow of the pictures. In the past, when reading comics or watching movies, I only thought it was about reading stories, and never imagined that there were such sophisticated grammar hidden within.

What touched me the most was the author’s insight of separating ‘narrative’ from ‘event’. This is like realizing that breathing is not merely about the intake and exhaust of air, but rather the body’s rhythmic weaving of life. Those scenes of clocks ticking and the moments when characters gather their strength do not merely lie in “what happened”, but rather in how they suspend time and accumulate emotions – this in itself is a kind of silent language.

Suddenly, I realized that a good visual narrative is not about depicting ‘what happened’, but about meticulously arranging the rhythm of time and the ups and downs of emotions that we experience. Every blank space and every repetition is the author gently tapping our hearts with the syntax of vision. This has made me develop a deep respect for creators, whether they are cartoonists, film directors, or game narrative designers – they are not only storytellers but also poets who employ an intangible grammar.

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NOTE ：

• The separation of narrative and event
  • Narrative structure: It refers to the way events are presented and organized (how to put it).
  • Event structure: It refers to the semantic and conceptual content of the event itself (what it talks about).
  • This separation allows the same event to be told in different ways and also explains why the same set of images may have multiple interpretations (ambiguity).

• Basic narrative categories
  • Narrative grammar encompasses five core functional categories, which organize information within a narrative arc
    • The definer: Introduces roles and environments, establishes interactive relationships, but takes no specific actions.
    • Initiator: Triggers narrative tension and initiates major events.
    • Continuator: Delays the arrival of the climax, depicts the middle trajectory of the action or is used to create suspense.
    • Peak: The apex of narrative tension, where the core event takes place.
    • Releaser: Releases narrative tension and presents the outcome or reaction of an event.

• Combinatorial Structure and Recursion
  • The pattern of the basic narrative arc is: Founder – Initiator / Continuator – Peak – Releaser.
  • The key breakthrough lies in the fact that each category itself can be expanded into a complete and nested narrative arc.
  • Through recursive nesting (such as left branching, center nesting) and connection (multiple units within the same category juxtaposing), simple narrative arcs can generate infinitely complex narrative structures, thereby explaining the rhythm, suspense and complex narrative of long comics.