The Art of Storytelling

Storytelling is one of the most fundamental and powerful ways of communicating.

But why? Why do stories help us learn? How do they help us remember facts?

A story, in its most simple form, is a series of cause and effect events that occur sequentially. And that’s how our lives unfold in the dimensions of time and space. It’s the way our world is wired. And, therefore, it’s the way that our brain has evolved to take in experiences.

We think in story all day long, in the past, present and future. We replay a conversation we had. We make up stories about the future, anticipating what events might happen.

Stories can change our lives

When we listen to a story, the language processing parts of our brain are activated. But that’s not all. Our sensory cortex lights up and imagined experiences are processed the same way as real experiences.

That’s because stories engage the emotional part of our brain, the right hemisphere. While the left hemisphere of our brain processes logical and analytical information, the right side of our brain sparks creativity and imagination.  When we hear or read a story, this side of the brain allows us to become participants in the narrative. We relate the content to our own experiences. We look for the cause and effect relationship of something we’ve previously experienced.

Through stories we can make other people’s experiences our own. Because we have the ability to personalize a story, they are a gateway for motiving, inspiring and even defining who we are and who we are in relation to others. They open the door for us to grasp the larger context and universal messages contained in the story and to apply this information to our own lives.

Here are the story elements you can use

Good story elements include a main theme or message, a plot, characters—both a main character and often a challenger—a setting and tone.

Your theme is something important that you’re trying to communicate through your story—it’s the main message your want us to take away. And it could help us in our own lives.

Experts have identified seven basic themes for a story. Christopher Booker describes them in his book called, The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories. There is usually one or some combination of: Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, The Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedies, Tragedies and Rebirth.

Story plots are the events that make up the storyline and usually include an introduction, rising action, a climax, falling action and a resolution. All plots involve some sort of struggle or conflict. It has been said that there are six possible plot conflicts including person against: person, nature, self, society, the supernatural and technology.

Characters make a story personal and memorable. In most cases, the main character or the central person in a story is called “the protagonist.” We hear the story through this person’s point of view, and so we empathize with them. That’s why often our main character is also the “hero” of the story. It’s the person we’re rooting for. In contrast, an adversary, or the antagonist, is the person we want to see defeated.

Every story is set in a place and time called the setting. Every story, just like your tone of voice, is written in language that evokes a particular mood.

Enlarge the circle and create the change

Everyone has a story to share. If you are aware of the elements of story, you can use them to connect with key audiences.

When you’re finding your story, remember to stay focused on the main message. Don’t get mired in the details. You want your audience to walk away motivated and inspired.

Be sure to identify a champion for your cause who can make the story personal. Hopefully it’s you! But if you’re not comfortable as the storyteller, find someone who has passion and conviction about telling the story. Craft the story through their point of view.

Think about your allies. Ask yourself what organizations and people helped you achieve results. Clarify what their supporting roles were in the effort.

Every story has a conflict. Let your audience know about adversaries and challenges you faced along the way. This is the stuff that makes a story memorable.

Story is a wonderful memory device because it’s how our brains evolved to take in information and process it as if it were our own experience. As people personalize your story, you can bring them into your cause. You can provide them with key insights and strategies that allow them to learn from your experience. You can help them move forward and achieve greater results in their own life or work.

That’s the art and power of story telling.