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Storytelling: The right way to do it

What makes a story great? And what makes someone listen to a story attentively?

According to Andrew Stanton, film director/producer/screenwriter at Pixar, it is when you make your audience care. And like him, every film director and screenwriter of the industry has emphasized the same. No matter what the industry, simply giving away some information can never get the message across effectively.

How you present it’ is what makes all the difference. If you really have to grab someone’s attention and make a lasting impression, you have to touch their hearts; because human beings are emotional by nature and will respond to emotions.

Stanton delivered a TED talk in which he talks about exactly this. His secret: start with a joke. And not just any joke. It should be something engaging and relevant. Following slideshow presents salient features of his talk and what we can learn about storytelling and impressive presentation from him. (Notes are captioned)

Inspiration: Article by Garr Reynolds

 

Stanton starts his presentation with the words “make me care”. He speaks for all kinds of audience when he says this. While there is no mathematical formula of how to do this, showing empathy in your story is one.

Stanton starts his presentation with the words “make me care”. He speaks for all kinds of audience when he says this. While there is no mathematical formula of how to do this, showing empathy in your story is one.

Make your audience believe there’s substance in the story, that it is worthwhile. Stanton uses the word ‘promise’ for that.

Make your audience believe there’s substance in the story, that it is worthwhile. Stanton uses the word ‘promise’ for that.

A good storyteller doesn’t just give away the message to the audience on a silver platter. He knows how to let them figure some things out on their own. This is how the audience can get really involved.

A good storyteller doesn’t just give away the message to the audience on a silver platter. He knows how to let them figure some things out on their own. This is how the audience can get really involved.

A story should create a change; whether in the audience or the content that it is addressing.

A story should create a change; whether in the audience or the content that it is addressing.

Build anticipation. Curiosity keeps the audience going and keeps it hooked to your story.

Build anticipation. Curiosity keeps the audience going and keeps it hooked to your story.

A story without a theme is like life without a purpose, a body without a soul. Theme gives a coherence to your story, it makes sure your story doesn’t just become a Hodge podge of ideas thrown together randomly.

A story without a theme is like life without a purpose, a body without a soul. Theme gives a coherence to your story, it makes sure your story doesn’t just become a Hodge podge of ideas thrown together randomly.

Facts, data and logic is easy to infuse in a story but the real deal is to how you give your story a touch of wonder. Because wonder leads to inspiration!

Facts, data and logic is easy to infuse in a story but the real deal is to how you give your story a touch of wonder. Because wonder leads to inspiration!

The best kind of material you can draw for your story is from your own truth, your own experiences.

The best kind of material you can draw for your story is from your own truth, your own experiences.


 

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