Reading and writing are relatively new developments for humans.ย Yet, we areย a species that has been telling stories from the very start. The most vivid evidence of early stories are the cave paintings that are thousands of years old. We naturally get attracted to a good story. Have you ever asked yourself- how does storytelling affect our brains? How can you create stories that allow you to build trust and engagement?
A perfect brain workout with storytelling
Our brains are wired complex. Research has shown that a good story can engage the brain in different ways, thus stimulating various parts all at once. It intrigues us and makes us think. It may make us empathize with a character. Certain metaphors can make us imagine harder and visualize various scenarios in our minds.
The cause and effect of storytelling
At the very basic, any story is a sequence of causes and effects. One event leads to another event and the next. Human beings naturally want to know the outcome of a cause. This leads them to get engaged in a story. So, a good storyteller knows what kind of triggers are working.
Stories create engagement
One way to improve is to engage people directly by asking them to be a part of the process. People usually remember an experience more than lines of text.
How can you create great stories?
Paul Zak, a professor at Claremont College and author of The Moral Molecule: How Trust Works, writes this (source):
> If you develop tension in the story you will sustain attention.
> If you sustain attention then it is more likely that the people hearing the story will start to share the emotions of the main characters in the story.
> If people share the emotions of the main characters then they are likely to mimic the feelings and behaviors of the characters when the story is over.
> Listening to a character story like this can cause oxytocin to be released.
> Oxytocin release allows people to build trust
Storytelling tips:
a) Create stories with a sort of tension focusing on emotions.
b) Know the emotional triggers of your audience, so that they can share these and relate to them
c) Maintain the shared trust through consistency and quality.
What are some frameworks you employ to build engaging stories?
