About Storytelling

What is Storytelling? The National Storytelling Network writes...

Storytelling is the interactive art of using words and actions to reveal the elements and images of a story while encouraging the listener’s imagination.

... and the Society for Storytelling says:

Storytelling is the oldest oral art. Many, many years ago, when the only form of communication was by word of mouth, stories were the sole means of education and spreading news. They taught who we were, where we came from, how we should treat each other.

What makes good Storytelling (from The Elements of Good Storytelling, by Kimberly Appelcline)?

• Setting – Where is this story happening?


• Character – Who’s the story about?


• Plot – What’s happening?


• Backstory – What happened before, to create and inform this situation?


• Detail – Which specific things should your audience notice?

Storytelling has been at the heart of our communications since the beginning of te human race. Through stories, our values and principles have been passed from one generatio to another (taken from The Springboard. How Storytelling Ignites Action in Knowledge-Era Organizations, by Stephen Denning).

There are six types of stories that will serve you well in your efforts to influence others (taken from The Story Factor: Inspiration, Influence and Persuasion Through the Art of Storytelling, by Annette Simmons- also found online, at the International Storytelling Center).

1. "Who I Am" Stories


2. "Why I Am Here" Stories


3. "The Vision" Story


4. "Teaching" Stories


5. "Values-in-Action" Stories


6. "I Know What You Are Thinking" Stories