1. (Digital) storytelling
What is your Story
Laura J. Revels, Tlingit
Sr. Manager & Trainer |

2. What is Story
Defined as a narrative or tale of true or made-up events, but stories are so much more. It is a way to communicate, entertain, share knowledge and pass-on traditions.
Stories share heartfelt knowledge that invites shifts in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behavior (Cueva, 2006).
Sharing Heart-felt Knowledge through Stories - It is a good way to share who you are and why you do the work that you do.
Stories are good for Opening Up Conversations that may be difficult, like tobacco-use, cancer screenings, and cancer.

3. What is Story A story usually has a Beginning, Middle and End
Begin: There was a cat who was curious about the top of the tree
Middle: The cat ran up a tree
End: We got the cat down (or not)
A story usually has a Beginning, Middle and End
Begin: There was a cat who was curious about the top of the tree – the set-up (briefly).
Introduce characters/situation.
Middle: The cat ran up a tree – the problem.
Build tension, create suspense
Hook your audience
End: We got the cat down (or not)
Connect with the set-up
Dissolves tension
In regular storytelling, we usually have these 5 elements that are covered, in DS we usually have 3. In regular storytelling we have:
Setting - When and where the story takes place (not usually or mentioned briefly).
Characters - who or what the story is about (DS)
Plot - all the events that happen in the story (this we do not use in digital storytelling - as it is only a brief moment, snapshot of what happens, not a Star War saga that seems to never end ;) )
Problem - something they struggle with. (DS)
Solution - How the conflict is solved (or not in DS), or the answer to the problem.
In DS, it is a snapshot, a 2-3 minute movie. Describing the setting, characters, and plot, are left to a minimum.

4. What is Story
A story is not just a straight line that takes you from Point A to Point B.
Think of a story as an arc, with a beginning, middle, and end.
Most stories are driven by a question that is very important to the author. The process of telling a story is a response to that question.
A story would not go straight from the beginning to the end, i.e.: she went to the doctor and completed cancer treatments. What? What happened between?
The beginning sets up/puts your story into context. This will be brief, you won’t be saying a history lesson, i.e., Back in 2003 is when I had my first mammogram, I had it in my early 40’s. I remember it was a sunny day, and the surgeon was wearing a white coat. Geez when is the last time you saw a doctor in a white coat? Oh and I remember that day, I couldn’t eat... This is starting to get into too many details – have you ever listened to the story and wonder what the point of it was? That’s what happens when you start adding too many details that do not really help bring understanding to what you are really trying to share.
The middle is usually where the tension and/or change happens. I went in for my mammogram (this is the beginning), and the tech tells me to hang tight for a minute after we’re done. She comes back and tells me, your mammogram came back dirty, and we need to do an ultrasound (This sets up the tension). A story is not a story without tension – it is the hook to your story.
The ending sometimes is not so neat. It could end with more questions, but it must tie back to the beginning of your story or your main idea of your story, i.e., if it wasn’t for going in for that mammogram that day, who knows if I’d be here today to share my story.

5. Basic Story Elements Point of View Answers a Question/Problem
Emotional Content
“Voice” – Personalize
Economy
Brevity is the spice of life
Think in images
Pacing
Rhythm
Tension
What changed
Point of View
Purpose of story
Why are you telling this story
Usually Answers a Question/Problem
Key question that will be answered by the end
Emotional Content
Connects audience
“Voice” - Personalize
Who is talking?
Are you sharing or reporting?

6. Focusing Your Story Keep it Short, Be Specific Be personal
Stories are about change
Who is your Audience
Some considerations:
Keep it Short, Be Specific
Be personal
Imagine you are talking to someone you care about
Be yourself
Stories are about change
What should people walk away with
Why is your story important
Who is your Audience
Characteristics – what are their characteristics and
Why would they be interested in your story

7. Focusing Your Story What is the point, your purpose of your story?
Why are you telling it?
What is it you are wanting people to walk away with?
Are you in the story?
Why is your story important?
Who do you want to hear your story?
To help focus your story ask yourself:
What is the point, your purpose of your story? Why are you telling it? What is it you are wanting people to walk away with? Keep it Short, Be Specific.
Are you in the story? This is your chance to choose a story that’s important to you and can only be told by you, in your words of what this story means to you and why is your story important? (There is no wrong or right in storytelling, there’s just the story that needs to be told.)
Who do you want to hear your story? Who is your Audience?
Be yourself. Imagine you are talking to someone you care about. Read your story out loud. Does it sound like the way you talk?
These questions and tips will help you to focus your digital story.

8. What to Share? Develop Your Ideas Ask yourself about your ideas
What is my connection to this topic?
Is it motivating?
Is it relatable?
What do I need to do to tell this story? .
Step 1: Develop Idea
The first step in making a story is figuring out an idea for the story you’d like to tell. If you’re not sure, you can do different activities to get the creative juices flowing, like:
Brainstorming or drawing your ideas
Listening and reading for topics
Scanning lists and photos
Thinking about your personal knowledge, experience, and any challenges/hardships you may have overcome.
Asking friends, family, teachers, or coworkers
Once you have a few topics, ask yourself the following questions about each one:
What is my connection to this topic?
Is it motivating to an audience?
Is it relatable?
Can I tell this story in just a few minutes?
What sort of work do I need to do to be able to tell this story? (e.g., do I need to do background research or gather details from other people?)
Is there supporting material (e.g., photos, data, video) that I can use to help tell my story?
The answers to the questions will help you decide which story idea may be right for your project.

9. Let’s Share Ideas / Stories
Melany?
Others?
YOUR TURN
What are some story ideas you’d like to share?
As you think of your ideas, ask yourself:
What is your connection to this topic?
Is it relatable?
Can you tell this story in just a few minutes?
What sort of preparation do you need to do to be able to tell this story?
In-person?
Share a story with handouts? Images? Data? What can you use that will help your story?
Does your story complement what you are trying to share? Teach? You wouldn’t want to be talking to someone about handling their cancer treatment side effects and share a story about cancer prevention.
Make sure your story matches with what you are trying to share.
Once you have answered your questions, plan your story, write it out, do you need images? Handouts? And then test it on a coworker, and then let the stories begin!

10. Why Story? Why Story? Their responses… My Response:
Think about a time you were inspired by someone’ story. What made the story appealing? How did you feel? Do you remember what the message was?
Stories
Taps into people’s emotions
Can get people to change minds b/c they are feeling emotional about something
People make decisions based on emotions
Shows that something can be done – inspiring
We start to care about others
Easier 1`to remember stories than facts
Can empower the storyteller – give voice
Help hone in on issues
Change policies
Breaks down stereotypes, connects people, humanizes an issue
In some cases, it can also help people on the path to Healing

11. The Beginning of Your Story & The End of Mine
Gentle Reminder: A story has a beginning, middle, and end
Develop your idea
Are you in it?
Why is it important to you?
Focus your story
Brevity is the spice of life!
Plan your story
Test it out
AND Remember….
If your story is not important to you, it won’t be important to whoever is listening to your story.
Keep yourself in the story, if you are a humorous person, use humor (but be careful – think of your audience)
Can you tell your story within a couple of minutes? Does it complement what you are sharing? i.e. tobacco, screenings, etc.
Go to next slide.

12. There is no wrong or right in storytelling there is only the story to be shared.
Share the story you’re comfortable with sharing – if a story isn’t ready to be shared, it’s not it’s time 

13. Gunalchéesh! Thank you for joining us!