5 Elements Of Great Storytelling You Need To Know

Summary

In this video, the speaker unveils a powerful storytelling framework, identified through the analysis of thousands of stories. The key to compelling storytelling lies in the acronym SERVE: Surprising, Emotional, Relatable, Visual, and Edited. Surprising elements keep the audience engaged, while emotional content connects with them deeply. Relatable challenges make the story more personal, and visual descriptions paint vivid pictures for listeners. Lastly, editing ensures the story is concise and impactful. The speaker encourages viewers to incorporate these elements into their own stories and evaluate others' stories using this framework to enhance engagement and connection.

Takeaways

• 😀 A great story requires attention-grabbing elements, and one way to do this is by incorporating surprising moments that your audience doesn't expect.
• 😀 Emotional engagement is essential in storytelling; people remember stories because of the emotions tied to them, not just the facts.
• 😀 Share the inner dialogue of characters to make the story more emotional and relatable. This helps the audience connect with the character’s thoughts and feelings.
• 😀 Relatable stories help your audience see themselves in the narrative. Focus on challenges and experiences that are common and recognizable.
• 😀 Using visual elements in storytelling is crucial. Ensure that your audience can picture the story in their minds, making them feel like part of the action.
• 😀 Outer dialogue, which is the exact words used in crucial moments, can significantly enhance the visual quality of a story.
• 😀 Keep your stories concise and focused by editing out unnecessary context, side characters, and non-crucial moments.
• 😀 The SERVE acronym stands for Surprising, Emotional, Relatable, Visual, and Edited, representing the key elements of effective storytelling.
• 😀 A well-edited story is more engaging because it gets straight to the point and maintains the listener's attention without unnecessary details.
• 😀 When telling a story, always ask yourself if the content is necessary, if the characters are essential, and if each moment adds value to the story.
• 😀 Great stories often use these five elements (SERVE) to create memorable experiences. Pay attention to how successful storytellers apply them in their narratives.

Q & A

What is the SERVE acronym in storytelling, and what do the letters stand for?

The SERVE acronym stands for Surprising, Emotional, Relatable, Visual, and Edited. These are the five key elements that make a story great and engaging.

Why is surprise important in storytelling?

Surprise is crucial because it grabs the listener's attention. It helps keep the audience engaged and prevents their minds from wandering to other distractions.

Can you give an example of how surprise works in storytelling?

An example of surprise in storytelling could be when someone shares a seemingly normal story and suddenly reveals something unexpected, like their boss unexpectedly telling them, 'You can pack your bags right now and leave.'

How do emotions impact storytelling?

Emotions make a story memorable. When we recall stories, it's the emotions attached to them, not the facts, that make the story stick. Sharing emotional inner dialogue can enhance a story's emotional impact.

What is the inner dialogue technique in storytelling?

The inner dialogue technique involves sharing the thoughts running through a person's head during critical moments. This can include fears, hopes, and anxieties, helping listeners connect on a deeper emotional level.

Why should stories be relatable?

Relatability helps the audience connect with the story. When a story involves common, relatable challenges, listeners can see themselves in the situation, making the story more engaging.

What kind of events should be included in relatable storytelling?

Instead of extreme or rare events, relatable storytelling focuses on common experiences that many people can understand or experience themselves, such as facing everyday challenges or personal growth.

What role does visual imagery play in storytelling?

Visual imagery helps the audience visualize the story as if they are part of it. This makes the experience more immersive and engaging, creating a stronger emotional connection.

What is outer dialogue, and how does it improve a story?

Outer dialogue refers to the exact words spoken during crucial moments of a story. It makes the story more vivid and helps listeners picture the situation more clearly, making the story feel more real.

Why is editing important in storytelling?

Editing ensures that the story is concise, focused, and impactful. Cutting unnecessary details or side characters and eliminating non-crucial moments keeps the audience's attention and makes the story more effective.

How can someone improve their storytelling by editing their story?

To improve storytelling through editing, reflect on the story and ask: Is all the context needed? Are side characters necessary? What moments are crucial? By focusing only on what’s essential, the story becomes more engaging.

How can you tell if a story has used the SERVE elements effectively?

You can assess whether a story effectively uses the SERVE elements by paying attention to if it’s surprising, emotional, relatable, visual, and edited. If it incorporates these elements, it’s likely to be a compelling story.