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Storytelling tips

Storytelling is a powerful skill and tool that can be used in a myriad of ways, not only to educate the general public about the value of science and the ocean, but also to effectively convey essential information to our colleagues, students, and a variety of stakeholders.

Tips

  • Know who your audience is and consider specifically who you’re telling the story to (Example: general public, scientist, potential partner or funder, policymaker, etc.)
  • Keep your stories concise and use meaningful details. Try to make your storytelling simple, accessible, and jargon-free, and be sure to use visuals when you can to enhance your storytelling.
  • To make a story resonate, you need to create a connection with your audience. Think about how the substance of your story affects your audience, find the human connection, and highlight a shared experience.
  • Create dramatic tension. The best stories start with a challenge, followed by a journey. Set the scene with challenges, setbacks, and obstacles, and then reveal how you or WHOI faced and overcame them.
  • Be authentic. How you tell your story is as important as what you say.
  • Approach and adapt your story to the particular channel or medium being used. Effective storytelling is different across different channels, such as in person, on the web, during a presentation, on social media, or in email.
  • Identify your take-home message first. Start with the end in mind. Communicate this message and other key takeaways several times throughout your story.
  • Edit, edit, edit. Think about what you most want to get across in your story. Then, include details that support this, and take almost everything else out.
  • Understand WHOI’s mission and unique value proposition, and infuse key related messaging into your storytelling.
  • Get feedback before and after you present your story.

Additional resources