The Past, Present, and Futrure of the
"Depth Model" in Narrative
Evan Simpson
The "Depth Model" in narrative is not new, furthermore,
footnotes, endnotes, and handwritten notes in the margins of texts can all be viewed as
examples of the "Depth Model" in paper media. What is relatively new is the use
of the depth model in hyperactive media in regards to narrative.
The "Depth Model" can be defined as any information that
a) is not found in the narrative and b) does not advance the plot of the narrative, but
can give the reader a better understanding. Confused? I’ll draw you a picture:
The "Depth Model" in narrative has only just begun to be
seen on the web and has yet to reach it’s full potential. In the beginning of its
use, the designers were not using the web to its full potential: the story was on one page
and the criticism was on another page without a link in the story (example).
We are, however, now beginning to see examples of what is possible
with the use of hypermedia and narrative; designers are using the web as a tool to help
further the educational aspects of reading by presenting multiple translations of a single
text and annotating the text online (example).
In the future, we will see an explosion of the "Depth
Model" in narrative like we already have seen in poetry,
DVD’s, E-Z, and critical sites. The question is not a matter of if, but rather when.
When the authors of narrative and web designers realize the potential of the "Depth
Model" in narrative then (and only then) will narrative have finally arrived online
in its full potential. |
