Narrative Structures

Linear narrative: This is when the story is told in chronological order from start to end an there are no diversions or flashbacks to past events. An example of this would be Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho since there are no flashbacks and follows the story of before, during and after the murder in time order. The first two series of Sherlock are also linear as the story follows John Watson's meeting with Sherlock and there adventures until his faked death. This happens in chronological order making it a linear narrative.

Non-Linear And Flashback: This is the opposite of linear, it is when the story isn't in time order. This can happen if the film use flashbacks or tells the story out of order. An example of the story being told out of order without flashback is Beyond Two Souls a game which starts at the end of the game before jumping from early and late stages of the main characters life. An example of a flashback which is also part of non-linear is Lord Of The Ring: The Fellowship Of The Ring as during the scene when Elrond speaks to Gandalf in Rivendell it flashes back to when Elrond tried to convince Isidor to destroy the ring in the past. 

Realist: Is when the story is wold close to reality, it may not be an event that really happened and parts of it may be exaggerated but it is a narrative that could happen in real life. Titanic is an example of this, although the characters interactions are fictional it is based on a true story,although realist narratives are not always based on a true story, and everything it is could happen in reality. An example of a realist film not based on a true story is Gravity, a film about astronauts trying to survive a mission gone wrong.  This is something that could happen however the film is not directly based on real events.

Anti-realist: Is the opposite of realist in that the story has elements that are impossible in the real world such as magic, mythological creatures or advanced technology that doesn't exist at the moment. An example of this is Alien a sci-fi film set in the future. It is anti-realist since the aliens in it do not exist in reality and neither does most of the technology like the spaceship. Another example is Harry Potter which is anti-realist because it revolves around a magical world with magical creatures and is part of the fantasy genre which specifically distances itself from reality.

Open Narrative: Is when the story ends on a cliffhanger or with a mystery at the end so that not all of the strings are tided. This leaves the narrative open for sequels but may not always get sequels. An example of this is in Final Fantasy VII when Meteor is about to crash into the planet the magic spell Holy that is meant to stop the Meteor doesn't seem to be working until the Life Stream of the planet rises to join with Holy. The scene then cuts to credits leaving the mystery of whether or not the planet was saved. Another example of this is in the game Kingdom Hearts which ends with the main characters ,who have been looking for the King the entire game, finding Pluto the dog carrying a letter with the King's symbol on it and chasing him down a long path before cutting to the credits. This ending was used to imply sequels which the game got.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmJQboBy9MA

Closed Narrative: Is the opposite of open and is when all of the strings of the narrative are tied together so that there is no mystery left at the ending. The film may still get sequels but most film without sequels end with a closed narrative. An example of this is Finding Nemo by the end of the film nemo is reunited with his father, they both have more trust and respect for each other and Dory is living with them and is no longer alone. Another example of this is Die Hard, by the end of the film the terrorists have been defeated, the main character has rescued his ex and is getting back together with her. this narrative is closed but still got sequels.