Why Some Stories Are Boring and How South Park Can Fix Them!
Why Some Stories Are Boring and How South Park Can Fix Them!
The One Storytelling Technique You Can't Ignore From the Least Expected Source
A Surprising Source of Wisdom: Lessons from Cartman.
The simplest powerful tip about storytelling came from South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker. Yes, that's right: South Park! This unexpected source of narrative wisdom has something profound to teach us about connecting ideas and engaging audiences.
The Problem with 'And Then'
How many times did you sit in a meeting listening to the speaker saying: "So we launched the product, and then we marketed it, and then we sold X units, and then we changed the price to Y, and then we sold Z units."?
This speech is informative, yes, but also dull and dry as the Sahara’s desert.
If you find yourself stringing together a series of events with "and then," you're likely on the wrong track. This approach turns your story into a mere list of facts, devoid of emotion and engagement. It's boring, and our dopamine-craving brains quickly tune out.
The Power of 'But' and 'Therefore'
The magic happens when you replace "and then" with "BUT" or "THEREFORE." These words create suspense and anticipation, turning your story into a thrilling ride.
If the speaker said instead: "We created that product for ourselves, BUT we soon realized people were excited about it. THEREFORE, we made it available for everyone. BUT we didn't think through monetization; THEREFORE, we ran A/B testing to find the right price point..."
See the difference? The story now has twists and turns, challenges and solutions. It's a journey, not just a series of events.
Practical Application in Your Storytelling
Analyze Your Narrative: Look for places where you've used "and then" and see if "BUT" or "THEREFORE" would create a more engaging connection.
Practice with Purpose: Don't just tell what happened; explain why it happened and what came next. Create a logical flow and challenges that keep your audience hooked.
Embrace the Unexpected: Use "BUT" to introduce challenges or twists and "THEREFORE" to show logical progression. Make your audience think and feel.
Try it in your next speech, presentation, or blog post, and see its difference. And as always, I'm here to help you hone your storytelling skills.
Share Your Thoughts: I'd love to hear from you! Have you tried this technique? Do you have other storytelling methods that work for you? Share your comments and ideas below, and let's continue the conversation.