Storytelling is one of my favorite skills to learn! And since you came here, it must be the case for you as well.
I remember one time I was on my vacation, and I accidentally stumbled on an article about storytelling. It was the first time I learned about this amazing skill. And I never noticed it before, even though it's used to lure us to buy products, click on links and share stuff on social media all the time.
I ended up spending my whole vacation learning about it, and it wasn't hard work, I actually enjoyed it! This only shows that storytelling is fun to learn, and it's quite useful.
The thing is if you want to influence people, you have to master the technique of storytelling!
The love of stories has been in our blood since our ancestors used to tell stories around the campfires. It is something people enjoy because through stories we can learn faster and easier, we can connect emotionally, and most importantly we can see ourselves in the main characters.
Regardless of how you communicate with your audience (verbally or in writing), the general principles of storytelling are the same.
So, today I present to you 7 key storytelling techniques you can use to create an interesting story for any occasion.
You'll be surprised when you'll realize that you already know some of these techniques, you just never knew it.
We may have the knowledge but we don't know how to use it. One of the best things about educating is that it makes us realize what we already know. This way, we can use it better.
Without any further introductions, let's start!
Once Upon A Time
You go ahead and ask your child or any kid to tell you a story. He will surely use the obvious "Once Upon A Time" technique! Because it is the most simple way to tell a story, and this is what makes it effective.
You have probably learned this technique in school. Do you remember the standard structure of the narrative?
- The beginning.
- The plot development.
- The climax.
- The happy ending.
We are all used to this structure from childhood — it is how our favorite fairy tales and cartoons were constructed. A certain hero goes on a journey or gets into unusual events, overcomes many obstacles, eventually defeats the dragon, and wins his princess.
This technique creates a very good immersion effect, the reader experiences the hero's adventures with him.
We listed this technique because it is the best way to make a story draft, you can't start with specific details without the main template ready. Set up all the 4 elements listed above beforehand, then you can start adding more details.
When is it better to use this technique:
- Engaging an audience while explaining generic ideas.
- Transfer of useful experience.
- Motivation to perform certain actions that will lead the reader to the same happy ending.
Alternative Story
This is my favorites technique!
If you perfect this technique, I'm sure you will produce the most breathtaking stories.
So how does it work?
The main idea is to contrast two realities, that both are desired but, only one can be achieved. And then you present another alternative reality that proves the main idea you are defending with your story!
I remember when I used this technique on a novel I was working on. It was a fantasy novel that tells the story of a war between humans and another humanoid species that believed the earth was theirs.
The thing here is that I presented the other species as emotional and intellectual beings just like us, this made the readers connect with them on a spiritual level. Regardless of the fact that they think humans took the earth from them, I made the reader not think of them as evil.
I gave evidence that explains why they think the earth is theirs, and I convinced the reader with it as well. They weren't evil, they just wanted to get their earth back, they were just defending their cause. And so were the humans!
To even add more mystery I specifically explained that they can't share it! I made them biologically unable to live together as a multi-species community.
So in the end, confused with the fact that the earth belongs to the humans and the evidence that shows that it belongs to the other species, the reader finds himself in a situation where he wants both outcomes but can only have one. He knows that both parties are on the right side and he knows that there is no way for them to coexist.
This is where I came and provided an alternative solution, a relief, a better ending, that highlights the moral of the story. Every conflict has a common ground that benefits everyone, you just have to look closer!
This is a powerful technique because it twists the plot near the end, showing the reader other perspectives that he didn't think about, and this makes him learn something new — which is the purpose of stories.
When is it better to use this technique:
- When trying to Influence the readers to accept an idea you believe in.
- When trying to create a sense of hope for the best in any situation.
In Medias Res
"In Media Res" or "In The Middle Of Things" is a guaranteed hooking technique!
Information overdose leads to the fact that people no longer want to read lengthy introductions and dive deeply into the development of the story.
They want to get into the thick of things as soon as possible. The technique "In Media Res" is just intended to solve this problem.
You start in the hot middle, dropping the beginning of the story. This allows you to quickly grab the reader's attention. He will want to know what led to the climax you teased him with and how the story will end. It is important not to reveal all the cards till the very end, for the sake of keeping your reader curious.
When is it better to use this technique:
- You need to clearly focus the audience's attention on a specific point where the story begins.
- You need to quickly grab the attention of an unfamiliar audience.
Shock
This technique is powerful and easy to use.
It basically consists of building certain predictability to your plot. You need to give hints on how the events will develop, you need to make your reader 100% sure that something specific is going to happen. But, in the end, you will do something entirely different. However, it should remain logical and consistent with the plot.
In other words, The story begins as a classic, with a light plot, and leads to a rather predictable ending. But then something out of the ordinary happens, turning the whole plot upside down. This technique is often used in TV shows. For example, they kill a beloved hero who is in a completely safe place. This allows you to shock the reader and thereby captivate him. By breaking a person's expectations, you create a very strong emotional connection to the story.
How can you use this?
Well, it's quite simple!
Let's say, for example, that you intended to kill a certain character. Before the moment of his death, you need to put him in focus and give him more value. If he was in a dangerous situation, make sure that he gets out of it safely, give the reader reassurance that things will get back to normal and that the character still has some things to offer to the story. Then, out of nowhere, he catches an arrow right to the chest, or he gets assassinated or something, make his death unexpected until it hurts the reader.
As readers, we want to be surprised and shocked, we need something that makes us more curious about your story. Be unexpected, be unusual!
When is it better to use this technique:
- You need to diversify the classic format and keep the audience's elusive attention.
Multiple Storylines
Imagine reading a story that has multiple separate stories, that seem unrelated at first but in the end, converge to the main plot, and everything makes sense. How would it feel? Amazing right?
Well, this is the famous "Multiple Storylines" technique! If you watched Game of Thrones, you've definitely seen how this technique was beautifully executed. We were following the stories of all the Starks, John Snow, The mother of dragons separately, and when they met and everything made sense, it was ama
At first, try writing only two storylines, make them not connected in any way, and even more so not opposed to each other. At the climax, these storylines converge, heralding the emergence of something new.
When is it better to use this technique:
- Talk about forming an alliance with someone.
- Tell how a certain group was created and how the members met.
- Give more depth to backstories.
No Sad, No Happy Ending
As The story progresses and comes closer to its ending, it's only natural to feel the stress of ruining it for the reader, this technique helps you to write a satisfying ending.
Well, it consists of not making the ending sad, nor happy, it consists of making it realistic!
For example, The hero who saved the world had to sacrifice himself for this purpose, so he was unable to see the joy and happiness of his comrades.
Blending the reader's sad and happy emotion will make him feel the realism of the ending thus giving him no chance to regret the story. He will be convinced that this was the best way to end it.
When is it better to use this technique:
- Put a sense of realism in your words.
- You need to inspire sympathy in people.
- You need to influence people with the ending.
Last Words
Storytelling is not just about coming up with a story and telling or writing it beautifully. It is also about understanding the purpose of the story, studying the audience to which it is being communicated, and based on this data, choose the correct format for the story. Only then will you get the maximum effect.
Well, if you want to really immerse yourself in storytelling and master all its wisdom, we suggest you check our storytelling articles. Most of them will help you to express your thoughts in an exciting, reasoned, original and witty manner so that your words become interesting, and your story more influential.
Share with us some of your stories in the comments.
We wish you good luck and all the success in life!
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