Five Steps Toward Better Storytelling

Great and influential stories do not “tell”, they “show.”Through storytelling elements like plot, character, conflict, theme, and setting, you can show your message and let your audience arrive at your meaning at a comfortable pace.

Stories can be really short or as long as a book. There are no constraints other than the time your audience has available. That being said though, your long story ceases to be a story the moment it becomes boring. People will lose interest and move on. When in doubt, keep your stories short as possible while still conveying all of the information.

Characters can be and should be flawed because this is what makes them real. Nobody is perfect and it’s hard to identify with a perfect character. Your character also needs to be likable because you want your audience to be pulling for them to succeed. Let your audience see your character evolve and go through an array of emotions. Nothing is more disappointing than a static character. As stated in the first technique, don’t tell us who your character is, show us.

A plot serves as the guiding force in your story. It helps ensure there is a beginning, middle, and end and all of the fun stuff in between. This is important because it makes your audience feel comfortable and allows them to focus on other aspects of your story. Also, a good ending will provide your audience with closure. Leaving your character clinging to the edge of the cliff is only acceptable if you are setting yourself up for the next chapter.

Nothing is more exciting to a listener or reader than realizing that the storyteller or author is revealing clues throughout the story. This is a great way to keep your audience engaged in your tale.