The Basics of Storytelling

 
 

Storytelling is, quite literally, a tale as old as time. Homosapiens have been telling stories for more than 30,000 years. We listen to stories from birth until death. But what goes into a great story? 

As Annette Simmons writes in The Story Factor,  

“Explaining storytelling is like explaining a kitten.  We have wonderful memories of kittens, [and] our memories are a meaningful whole. Trying to break stories down into pieces is like cutting a kitten in half in order to understand it.”  

Many stories share similarities: structure (a beginning, middle and end), characters, tension, and transformation... but then, some of our favourite stories don't fit in a box at all. We hope that “bad” characters will get their just deserts - but think of Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, who does not change and never gets her comeuppance. Meanwhile, Fight Club pulls the wool over our eyes until the final moments, when we realise the story was quite different from what we imagined all along. 

There is no copy-paste formula for a great story. One of our favourite challenges at Dramatic Resources is helping participants to develop their own voice and tell their unique story. As actors and theatre-makers, we know that a great story – told well – can change the world (or at the very least, sell out the box office!) But if you’re new to storytelling and have no idea where to start, you might find these prompts helpful: 

  1. ‘Imagine…’ and ‘What if...?’ This works as a warm-up tool, as well as the introduction for a story. Take the audience (and yourself) on a journey.  

    For example: “What if you dropped your phone over the side of a boat, hours before closing the biggest deal of your life? That’s exactly what happened to me in 2019 off the coast of Mexico – and it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.”  

    But beware of overusing a formula! Recently, one of our clients shared that they felt “imagine” is now over-used in the corporate world, and it no longer grabs their attention. Remember that your “imagine” scenario should genuinely pique your audience’s interest. An alternative, less common structure is to pose a provocative question or statement. In one interview, Andy Cunningham (who helped to launch the original Apple Mac) declared: “Steve Jobs fired me five times and I still loved working with him”. This bold hook activates your imagination because you can’t help but wonder why! 

  2. Use a metaphor and/or analogy. The right metaphor or analogy can fire up your audience’s imagination and leave them on the edge of their seats. Metaphors are also a great tool for establishing your values, because they often contain clear moral messages (such as Aesop’s fables). Look no further than Silva’s famous rat monologue in Skyfall. 

  3. Start with a quote, phrase or saying. When you want to tap into a group’s shared knowledge and experience, try referencing a well-known phrase or saying. This is a useful shortcut for avoiding long, boring explanations, because the audience will immediately recognise the wider context of your message. Here are two examples for comparison: 

    1. “Hybrid work is divisive because whilst it has a lot of benefits, there are also some disadvantages.” 

    2. “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. I’m talking about hybrid work, of course.” 

    Using a well-known quote here provides a clear contrast, takes the audience by surprise, and might even get them laughing. You’ve just won half the battle! 

“Storytelling moves us into the place where we trust what we know, even if it can’t be measured, packaged or validated.” (Annette Simmons).  

Telling stories is a universal experience. You probably tell stories to your friends and family every day without realising – so why not try introducing more stories to your workplace? Storytelling can strike a direct connection with your audience and make them more inclined to trust you, like you, and believe you. This is key when you have a message to convey or a product to sell. In your next presentation, think back to the basics of storytelling. Ask yourself: “What if this presentation was different from the rest?” 

Are you ready to step up your business communication with storytelling? Get in touch with us here.

Dramatic Resources