3 Storytelling Principles

 atomic-essay
Posted on:Sep 23, 2022

  1. Engage the audience.
    Arouse interest. Capture attention. Don’t bury the lede. There’s a drop-off happening at each point. Example:
    The story so far: In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move. ― Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

  2. Show the challenge.
    Make them care about what happens next. Throw in an obstacle. Choices drive the narrative forward. Example:
    Buzz Lightyear replaces Woody as Andy’s favorite toy.

  3. Show the change.
    Spark an insight or two. Provide closure. Share the worldview changed along the way. Example:
    The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which. ― George Orwell, Animal Farm