An explanation on the Five Narrative Codes of linguist Roland Barthes

The hermeneutic code (HER.) 

This type of narrative evolves around the hermeneutic code. A clear exmple would be the narrative structure of detective films . Tha audience witnesses a murder and the rest of the narrative is devoted to answering the questions that are raised by the initial scene of violence (why did it happen? who did it? would they get caught) . The detective (along with the audience) spends the story reading the clues that, only at the end, reconstructs the reason behind the murder. Star Trek is similar in using the hermeneutic code .

The proairetic code (ACT.)

This code applies to any action that implies a further narrative action. For example, a character pulls his gun out and the audience wonders what the resolution of this action will be. They wait to see if he kills his opponent or is wounded himself. Suspense is thus created by action rather than by a reader's or a viewer's wish to have mysteries explained.

The semantic code (SEM.) 

This code refers to connotation within the story that gives additional meaning over the basic denotative meaning of the word.

It is by the use of extended meaning that can be applied to words that authors can paint rich pictures with relatively limited text and the way they do this is a common indication of their writing skills. As with the use of mise-enscene in films to present a certain character in a certain way .

The Symbolic Code (SYM)

This is very similar to the Semantic Code, but acts at a wider level, organizing semantic meanings into broader and deeper sets of meaning.

This is typically done in the use of antithesis, where new meaning arises out of opposing and conflict ideas.

The Cultural Code (REF)

This code refers to anything that is founded on some kind of canonical works that cannot be challenged and is assumed to be a foundation for truth.

Typically this involves either science or religion, although other canons such as magical truths may be used in fantasy stories. The Gnomic Code is a cultural code that particularly refers to sayings, proverbs, clichés and other common meaning-giving word sets.