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This course consists of seven articles. Between them, these introduce essential aspects of storytelling that will make you a better storyteller. This online course is based on a lecture series for Journalists that I developed for Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, and that I later adapted for business students for the South Mediterranean University. The slides for that lecture series, which contain links to lots of interesting storytelling examples, can be found here.
This course consists of seven articles. Between them, these introduce essential aspects of storytelling that will make you a better storyteller. This online course is based on a lecture series for Journalists that I developed for Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, and that I later adapted for business students for the South Mediterranean University. The slides for that lecture series, which contain links to lots of interesting storytelling examples, can be found here.1. The Four Elements of Successful Storytelling
What is storytelling? The answer seems obvious: to tell a story.
However, it might
be helpful to stop and think for a moment about what this really means.
To tell a story means doing something. A story is created over time.
Thus, storytelling is not a thing, but a process. And that process is
made up of four elements: the
storyteller, the audience, the subject and the story. Successful
storytelling needs to pay close attention to each of these four
elements.
2. Ten essential building stones for a good story
Last night, I was
woken up by my cat mewing loudly. Turns out she left a dead mouse on the
bathroom floor.
Did I just tell you
a story? No. I told you an anecdote. Anecdotes lack the power of true
storytelling: to make people care for what the story is about. I will explain
how you can turn your anecdotes into successful stories by providing you with a
checklist of ten building stones for successful storytelling: six character roles
and four plot phases.
Take your favourite book from its shelf. Sit down, make
yourself comfortable. Turn off your phone. Now, before you go on to the rest of
this article, open your book and read the first few pages. There. Now think back to when you were reading. We always
‘hear’ a voice in our head when we read.
I want you to consider what that voice sounded like.
4. Guide Your Audience!
Take a deep breath, close your eyes and relax. I mean it. First, you might
want to clear your mind, leave your worries your worries for now, turn off your
phone, close the curtains. Make sure you're comfortable. I will ask you to click a link in a moment, which will lead you
to a reading of a Stephen King short story.
5. Telling your story with the right point of view
Where is your story taking place? When is your
story taking
place? And how are you going to tell your story in such a way that your
audience is right there with the characters in the time and place of
your story? Those who know a bit more about storytelling, will
immediately answer:
“Show, don’t tell!” And yes, this golden rule of storytelling is very
important.
6. Why your story needs a moral dilemma
Before you continue reading, take pen and paper. Don't use your laptop
or tablet for this, some things need to be done the old fashioned way.
Now write down the most despicable act you can think of. Make sure to be
specific: use a detailed example. If you think there is nothing more
despicable than animal cruelty, write: "I think it is utterly despicable
when a man tortures kittens and enjoys doing so" instead of just
writing down "animal cruelty".
7. The Fifth Element of Storytelling
At the very beginning of this series of articles, I spoke about the four
elements of storytelling: storyteller, audience, subject and story. As I
said then, successful storytelling needs to pay close attention to each
of these four elements. However, there is another element of
storytelling - and it's the most important one. Storytelling never just
happens. When we tell stories, we do so for a certain reason, there is a
certain occasion for our storytelling.
