What is good story telling?
First, let’s start with ‘What is storytelling?’ To me, it is the accidental or purposeful formulation of various materials or methods to inform or evoke an emotion. Storytelling isn’t just done through words on a page or film on a screen. It’s captured in images, by voice, by facial expression – body language… I mean, stop and think about it… A person’s entire posture and physical disposition can tell an entire story. From the clothes they wear, to the shirk of their shoulders and the items in their hands.
You see people everyday on the street, and with a little effort based off their appearance, you can create whole identities for them. Weathered hands may mean someone has worked hard in manual labor. Sulking with furrowed eyebrows might lead you to think someone has had a bad day. Two people with their arms wrapped around one another – does it mean love?
I’m not the only one who does it – sit out in public silently creating stories about the people around me. People, their materials, the environment – the stories practically tell themselves.
So with so much around us to live up to, what is the ACT of good storytelling? Andrew Stanton, author of all three Toy Story movies and writer-director of Finding Nemo, WALL-E and John Carter, lays down the most crucial basic component to good storytelling that I can find.
“Make me care – please, emotionally, intellectually, aesthetically, just make me care.”
That’s the key. Point blank.
Creating a connection with your audience whoever that may be. Make them want to read/hear/see what you have to say.
You don’t have to create images of mystical castles or action packed car chases in their heads. You just have to create enough interest for them to go to the next word, or see the next image or scene, or just for the love of God to stay in their seats.
So how do you make someone care? This question runs through the veins of expression. Being relatable. Being mindful of your topic and your audience. Express yourself in the way your audience will understand. I asked successful blogger, author, writer for CNN and HuffPo, and friend Joe Peacock his thoughts on good story telling:
“To me, good storytelling does two things: it generates emotion by speaking to people in a way they not only understand but can relate to. I think the technical side – vocabulary, structure, etc all fall under ‘what is good writing’ — but storytelling is as simple as making someone feel something about something they can relate to.”
As a social worker, it is our duty to promote and advocate for social justice. The most effective way to demonstrate this is through the storytelling of the unjust. With closing words of Andrew Stanton;
“The children’s television host Mr. Rogers always carried in his wallet a quote from a social worker that said;
‘Frankly there isn’t anyone you couldn’t learn to love once you’ve heard their story.'”
Katie Burt's MSW Blog 