What are the main features/conventions of a soap?

• Soaps proceed as though they could go on forever.
• Many characters, are naturalistically represented when producing a multi-strand plot.
• Characters are not usually marked hierarchy but shift in and out of prominence, for example: In EastEnders Peggy Mitchell goes on holiday in 'real life' so she goes on holiday in the show.
• Characters shift in and out of narrative function. Today's villain maybe next week's hero. For example: Jake from EastEnders seemed the good guy but is not in prison for suspected murder of Lucy Beale.
• Time usually fits in with 'real world time' within the segment of each episode, flashbacks are rare.
• The difference between time in the serial and outside are blurred, making a broad reference to real life events going on at the same time, such as Christmas.

• Audiences are assumed to have different knowledge of a long running soap.
• Magazine television, the press often speculate about actor's contracts and thus the fate of characters.
• Each episode has to address both experienced and new viewers.
• Soap Operas have a theme song or tune which is familiarised to that soap.

EastEnders Theme Tune

Hollyoaks Theme Tune