Storytelling & Narrative Structure - Techniques for Moving People's Hearts Through Stories
By learning the universal structure of stories and effective ways of telling them, you can dramatically enhance the persuasiveness of presentations, creative work, and business communication.
The Power of Storytelling
Since ancient times, humanity has conveyed wisdom, shared emotions, and prompted action through stories. Excellent stories have the power to capture the listener's heart, remain in memory, and change behavior. In business presentations, marketing, education, and creative activities, storytelling techniques have now become essential skills.
Why Stories Move People
The reason stories are effective is that the human brain has evolved to process information in story format. Stories with causality and emotion are easier to understand, easier to remember, and easier to connect to action than lists of data and facts.
Mythologist Joseph Campbell discovered a structure common to myths and stories around the world called "The Hero's Journey." This universal pattern is also utilized in modern films and novels, serving as the key to understanding the fundamental power stories hold.
Recommended Books
We introduce books for systematically learning storytelling techniques. You can make the power of stories your own from both theory and practice.
Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting
This book is a legendary seminar studied by Hollywood screenwriters, systematically explaining story structure and principles. It delves deeply into story components like scenes, beats, and acts, revealing why some stories captivate people while others feel boring. Essential reading not only for screenwriters but for novelists, game designers, business storytellers, and anyone who works with stories.
- The essence of story lies in the conflict and change the protagonist faces while pursuing their desire
- A great story is a chain of events connected by cause and effect, not an accumulation of coincidences
- The climax is the most important moment that determines the meaning of the entire story
- Depicting emotional truth is the key to moving the audience's heart
ストーリー ロバート・マッキーが教える物語の基本と原則
ロバート・マッキー, 堺三保, 越前敏弥 / フィルムアート社 / 2018-12-20
物語創作のバイブル誕生! ハリウッド関係者が全員読んでいる、...
The Hero with a Thousand Faces (New Translation) Volume 1
A masterpiece that explains in detail the archetype of the 'Hero's Journey' discovered by mythologist Joseph Campbell through his research of myths from around the world. Through the three-stage structure of departure, initiation, and return, and the universal motifs that appear there, you can understand the fundamental patterns of stories. This book, which has influenced the creation of many films and stories including Star Wars, is essential for a deep understanding of storytelling.
- A common structure called the 'Hero's Journey' exists in myths around the world
- The hero leaves the ordinary world, transforms through trials, and returns with a boon
- Symbols and motifs in myths reflect universal human psychology
- By understanding story archetypes, you can create stories that resonate more deeply with people's hearts
千の顔をもつ英雄〔新訳版〕上 (ハヤカワ・ノンフィクション文庫)
ジョーゼフ・キャンベル, 倉田真木, 斎藤静代, 関根光宏 / 早川書房 / 2015-12-18
古今東西の神話・民話から物語の本質を解き明かす クリエイター...
The Power of Myth
This book contains dialogues between mythologist Joseph Campbell and journalist Bill Moyers, exploring what meaning myths have for modern people's lives. Conversations about universal themes such as love, death, heroes, and sacrifice, while freely quoting Eastern and Western myths, bring to light essential human questions in the depths of stories. This is essential reading for fundamentally understanding the meaning and power of storytelling.
- Myths are not just old stories but guides for exploring the meaning of life
- Symbols in stories are means of conveying truths that cannot be directly expressed in words
- The hero's journey remains relevant today as a metaphor for self-discovery and growth
- By understanding myths, you can live the story of your own life more deeply
神話の力 (ハヤカワ・ノンフィクション文庫)
ジョーゼフ キャンベル, ビル モイヤーズ, 飛田 茂雄 / 早川書房 / 2010-06-24
神話学の巨星と稀代のジャーナリストによる 知的興奮に胸躍る対...
Professionals Tell Stories
Storytelling expert Annette Simmons explains how to effectively use stories in business and everyday communication. Through six story types - 'Who I Am,' 'Why I Am Here,' 'Vision,' 'Teaching,' 'Values in Action,' and 'I Know What You Are Thinking' - you can learn techniques to move hearts, build trust, and prompt action. It's a practical book for understanding that logic alone doesn't move people and learning how to appeal to emotions.
- People's hearts are moved by conveying through stories, not just facts and data
- You can build trust with others by telling your own story
- By using six story types appropriately, you can communicate effectively in various situations
- Stories don't persuade others but give them the opportunity to convince themselves
プロフェッショナルは「ストーリー」で伝える
アネット・シモンズ, Annette Simmons, 池村千秋 / 海と月社 / 2012-11-27
いま世界が注目するビジネススキル「ストーリーテリング」 その...
Summary
Storytelling is not just a technique but a form of communication rooted in human nature. By understanding story structure and mastering effective ways of telling, your message will reach the listener's heart more deeply. Creators, business people, educators - everyone can benefit from this skill.