Story Building Blocks Fundamental elements of compelling stories
1. AN EFFECTIVE CHARACTER 3. AUTHENTICITY üüUniversal need (often emotional/intangible üüCharacter’s voice, perspective – and the rather than physical/tangible) perspectives of others üüRelatable for similarities (i.e. mother, father, üüDetails; telling your audience how to feel etc.) or through connection to unexpected vs. showing your audience and letting obstacle (i.e. “it could happen to me, too”) them decide how they feel (hint: the latter is much more compelling!) üüCharismatic, yet authentic (not necessarily a perfectly polished spokesperson) üüAvoid jargon üüThree-dimensional (What do others think üüProvide broader context about issue of the character? What other interests/ prevalence, past challenges/ personality traits does s/he possess? Not successes, etc. solely defined by their need.) üüNOT the organization in most cases; the 4. ACTION-ORIENTED EMOTIONS organization is a supporting character üüMove people to action üü Consider confidentiality and/or ethical üü implications of asking someone to be your Choose active emotions (anger, anxiety, featured character excitement, awe) vs. passive ones (contentment, sadness)* 2. TRAJECTORY üüFollow up with a call-to-action in your content or presentation (or both) üüPlot that propels the story forward; think action! 5. A “HOOK” üüChoices/devices to consider: üüLead with a sense of urgency Where/when to start? üü Immediately provide a sense of whose Time sequence – linear, or flashback/ story it is, what’s happening at this forward? moment in time, and what’s at stake.** Pacing – get into action quickly or slow build-up? Whether/how to resolve the story? Setbacks or no setbacks? (as a way to acknowledge organizational failure/ growth)
* Berger, J. (2009). Contagious: Why Things Catch On. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. ** Cron, L. (2012). Wired for Story. New York, NY: Ten Speed Press. bit.ly/nonprofitstorytelling #storiesworthtelling