2. Story Telling- It’s Not Just for Bedtime Anymore Dianne Kayala Paul Choquette RI Dept. of Human Services PersonalChoice Program

3. This presentation borrows many elements from: Storytelling as Best Practice, presented by Andy Goodman at: The Robert Wood Johnson Strategic Communications Program, May 2005 Richmond VA. For more Information www.agoodmanonline.com www.agoodmanonline.com

4. Why Tell Stories “Numbers numb, jargon jars, and nobody ever marched on Washington because of a pie chart. If you want to connect with your audience, tell them a story” Andy Goodman

5. Why Tell Stories? Storytelling is an integral part of our history, identities, culture and even how we remember

6. What Makes a Good Story? A time-tested structure, telling details, emotion, truth and meaning are essential components

8. Qualities of a Good Story Concise but Colorful Told in the Language of the Audience Not Predictable Engages the Audience Contains Truth Infused with Meaning

10. 8 Questions to Sharpen Your Storytelling Who’s the protagonist? (Names help, but we need more than just a name) Have you created a world (e.g., time and place) for the audience to enter? What’s the hook (or “common assumption”)? What keeps it interesting? Where’s the conflict or dramatic tension? Have you spoken in the audience’s language and included telling details? What’s the emotional hook? Is the meaning clear?

11. How Do Stories Compare to Data? Stories help us decide which facts to accept and which to reject Just as Hearts lead Minds, Stories should Precede Data

12. Identify your Organizations “core stories” and make sure everyone knows them by Heart

13. The Six Types of Stories The “Nature of our Challenge” Stories How We Began (“Mission Story”) “Emblematic Success” Stories Performance Stories “Striving to Improve” Stories “Where are We Going” Stories