The Power of Storytelling

By:YAzaira luna

Photo Courtesy of Pexels

Tears streamed down my cheeks, my 11-year-old body hunched over as I experienced the weight of grief on my shoulders for Jest, a character in one of my favorite books passed away. See that? That was a hook, intending to get your attention. Storytelling is a powerful communication tool that can be used to connect, persuade, and inspire others. People tend to love stories because they can live vicariously through others. It is seen in movies, PR campaigns, and even in day-to-day life. 

The Importance of Storytelling 

Stories assist in capturing and holding the attention of the audience. Due to social media and technology, attention spans are getting shorter by the day. Storytelling makes narratives resonate with audience members, tapping into the emotional side. When people hear a good story, dopamine is released in their brains, which is linked to making it more memorable and pleasurable. Brands that tend to do this are seen to be the ones that stand out the most with their identities. Disney uses storytelling constantly, with its narratives revolving around the magical adventures they take their audience on. Nike uses storytelling involving athletes overcoming challenges. Stories allow room to build trust, create memorable messages, and even inspire action.

How Dukes Can Use Storytelling

• Clubs and Organizations: Storytelling can be useful as a way to promote events that are happening in your organization, and even be used to create better connections between members. 

• Advocacy: Personal narratives can be used to gain the attention of others on social issues, create reliability, and motivate action for change. 

• Job Interviews and Networking: Stories create a bridge between you and a potential employer. It creates the opportunity to make yourself stand out and be memorable. 

Tips for Storytelling 

• Know your audience: Who are you speaking to? What do they care about? Knowing the answers to these questions will allow you to successfully craft your story.

• Be concise and clear with your message: Having superfluous details will only hurt you in the end, making you lose the audience’s focus. Narrow it down to the core. 

• Be authentic: People usually notice when one is not being genuine, causing them to not engage. Authenticity enables individuals to build trust with others and create a sense of relatability, enhancing relationships. 

The Biggest Takeaway 

Storytelling is intertwined in our daily lives, whether we realize it or not. It is an amazing tool to add to your toolbox when navigating campus, and I encourage you to embrace and immerse yourself in it. Starting off, your skills might not be the best, but over time, your storytelling skills will strengthen as well. Start this week by sharing a story with a friend, classmate, or online.