Why Good Stories Resonate and Bad Stories Fall Flat

What makes a story can vary greatly, depending on the cultural, social, or personal context. Some situations call for creativity and spontaneity.

Storytelling involves the sharing of ideas between the narrator and the listener. It is a form of information delivery that provokes the imagination of the listener. This is done through words, gestures, and emotions that are brought to life and capture the listener. Storytelling takes place in a variety of ways, subject to the nature of the situation, which could either be situational or cultural. It likes to combine with other modes of art like poetry, comedy, drama, music, and dance to create new and interesting experiences.

What Makes A Story 

What makes a story can vary greatly, depending on the cultural, social, or personal context. Some situations call for creativity and spontaneity, while others require a more formal approach. Notably, the core of storytelling remains the same - connecting with others and sharing experiences. Timeless stories, in particular, share certain basic elements that make storytelling memorable and impactful.

These essential components include plot, characters, theme, and conflict. A well-structured plot with a clear beginning, middle, and end enables the audience to follow the narrative easily. Relatable and interesting characters, typically featuring a protagonist and sometimes an antagonist, should be well-developed and engaging. A strong theme represents the main idea or message that resonates with the audience. 

Lastly, conflict drives the plot, creates tension, and propels the narrative forward. In addition, the way these elements are presented can greatly impact the story's effectiveness.

Storytelling in Different Forms, Yet Similar Experiences 

In cinematic storytelling, for instance, dialogue, emotions, and visual elements work n to convey a compelling narrative, creating an engaging and effective movie experience. Dialogue introduces characters, conveys thoughts and feelings, and reveals personalities, sparking conflicts and propelling the plot forward. Emotions build tension, suspense, and anticipation, fostering empathy and creating a connection between audiences and characters. Visual elements, including lighting, symbols, texture, imagery, and color palette, bring imaginary worlds to life, creating an immersive experience that captivates audiences and leaves a lasting impression.

Similarly, in music, melody and lyrics are features of storytelling that connect the audience with the storyteller. For a storyteller to create awareness, they often use both techniques. Creating an emotional experience with lyrics and melody is a powerful combination that resonates with listeners. Authentic lyrics tell a relatable story, while melody evokes emotions, creates atmosphere, and enhances the lyrics. When combined, they create a connection between the artist, listener, and music, leaving a lasting impression and making the song memorable and impactful.

Likewise, silence in visual storytelling employs non-verbal components, such as imagery and soundscapes, to convey compelling stories beyond dialogue, evoking emotions and captivating audiences through the power of visuals. Artists convey their story in various forms, inviting the viewer to interpret and ponder the artwork. For instance, the legendary Mona Lisa conveys a message through her beautiful smile, and audiences are left guessing about her emotions and intentions.

Power of Perspective in Visual Storytelling 

The power of perspective plays an important role in visual storytelling, as it influences how the audience perceives and interprets the narrative. Perspective, in this sense, can be used to create a sense of intimacy or distance, guiding the viewer's attention and emotional response. In cinematography, for example, the camera angle and perspective can dramatically alter the mood and tension of a scene. Similarly, in art and design, perspective can be used to create a sense of depth, movement, or emotion, drawing the viewer into the narrative.

Why Bad Stories Fall Flat

A typical audience desire an emotional connection, escapism, originality and compelling narratives. They crave the replication of these feelings in every form of art, distilled in a simple, authentic way that they can relate with. In conveying emotions in storytelling, simplicity is key to creating a personal connection between characters and the audience. When narrating a story, it's essential to craft emotions in a straightforward and relatable manner. The storyteller should strive to make emotions accessible and familiar, rather than complex or unfamiliar. Moreover, understanding the audience is crucial, as they play a significant role in determining how the storyteller conveys emotions.

From a Convoluted Story Emerges a Faltering Imagination 

Also, imagination can falter when creativity fails. One reason for this is the thin line between innovation and overcomplication. When a story becomes too convoluted, audiences find it difficult to follow, leading to ambiguity that can kill the connection between storyline elements. Complexity in plot arrangement or character roles can lead to overcomplication. Common mistakes that kill good story ideas include relying on clichés and failing to develop characters.

In order to , find a balance, storyteller should break down complex ideas into accessible elements that resonate with the audience. This involves prioritizing simplicity, avoiding unnecessary information, and editing to ensure a clear narrative flow. Adhering to this, , storytellers can create engaging stories that captivate their audience. For storytelling to be effective, it requires a balance between innovation and simplicity, and avoiding common mistakes can help storytellers achieve this balance and craft compelling narratives.

Has Social Media Revolutionized The Process of Storytelling?

To summarize, social media has revolutionized the process of storytelling, closing the gap between writers and readers. This has empowered writers and readers to connect directly, opening doors for several voices and stories to emerge and thrive. The traditional method of storytelling has been revolutionized today. Now, we don't only have oral narrative, we have narrative that can be conveyed through music, art, design, cinematography, photography, and many more. These varied media have opened up the opportunities for narrative, enabling artists to play around with new forms and address a greater variety of audiences.

—Emmanuel Somtochukwu