Carol Vernalis

Narrative - Narrative is prevalent in every music video, whether the video has a story to it or not there is always narrative being displayed. James Blunt's video Goodbye My Lover has a narrative of a breakup.
 
Editing - Unlike in films there does not need to be continuity. This music video breaks the 180 degree rule multiple times. Therefore music videos generally don't have to stick to editing rules.
Camera - Camera movements and framing are key features to a music video. This music video is all close up and in the main protagonists face. The music video is by Tove Lo.
Diegesis - creating a world within the music video. Fireflies by Owl City, creates a very dreamy world within the music video where his toys come alive and begin dancing etc.


Carol's main point is that editing plays a huge part in the final music video. For example quick cuts to the beat make the video less boring and more enjoyable for the viewers to watch. 
I looked at System of A Down - Toxicity, and looked at all the cuts it had. In the whole 3:43 I counted around 184 cuts, this matches the hectic nature of heavy metal and the quick cuts reflect the intense heavy nature of the song.