How to make your story better?

Do you want to be persuasive - Know how to tell stories.

Whether it's marketing or sales history will be useful to you because stories help easier to find common ground and bring your idea to the interlocutor. Are you using stories in your job or, for example, in your blog?

Why do you storytelling?

He works! And yet, why do you need to complicate his written speech ornate patterns stories? Most people believe that the history of nowhere, if you have facts that you can just set out. But this is not the case, and then, How do you say are equally important to what you say. If you refuse to accept this fact, then you risk losing your valuable information into the sea less useful content. expression of sympathy or antipathy to history, understanding and acceptance of it depends on how the story is filed.

As history affect the brain?

Would you like to know how to influence people so that they are treated more favorably your proposals? Of course. The only question is how to do it.

Is so much history can affect us?

Studies by Dr. Green and Brock They have shown that they can. The reason that history so we have to act that we are susceptible to and what we say and how to do it (in other words, to the way of the story). Stories are able to "teleport" your brain to another place, where we can take things over which would be the harsh reality just to laugh.

Example: remember virtually any performance of politicians. They have a lot of time given to the training of stories used in his speeches. The history of "strong guy who is hot on his hand and adheres to the framework of the law" is much easier to read than the discussion of the administration's plans to reduce the crime rate. Another very striking example - speech at TED. Rather than operate only the facts, the TED speakers begin their speech with phrases such as: "Imagine, if you will ...". And, as we have seen, this is a great tactic.Stories help "sell" arguments from "I believe that this liberal / conservative point of view is correct," and ending with "I believe that this product meets my goals."

How to make your story better?

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There are millions of blogs telling about how to create great stories. But supported by this information any research?
Indeed, there is a study conducted by the same doctors Green and Brock, who provide information that makes the story interesting.

Here's what they found:

1) Unknown

The effect of uncertainty - this is an old trick used in books and movies. Despite the fact that we see this effect very often, our brain continues to react to the disturbing moments: we need to know what will happen next.

Often referred to today Zeigarnik effect It says that you automatically involve history, waiting for decoupling, as the best way to eliminate uncertainty.

Research in this area has shown that people are used to finish the job.
The researchers interrupted the failed jobs other people Tasca, and despite the fact that initial task was no longer possible to finish, 90% of the subjects returned to them, to bring It matters to an end.

Holding the audience in suspense ( "What's all over?") Is one of the best ways to create exciting history, provided that the uncertainty will appear in your story early enough to enable the effect of Zeigarnik.

2) Create detailed images

Do you want the audience to immerse themselves in your story?

From the images formed the image any good stories. For example, Tolkien spends an entire chapter to describing the details of the test Frodo and Sam, who fought with the giant spider, to help the reader to present all the ferocity of the enemy and the courage of the protagonists, which overcome the difficulties, in spite of their natural weakness (anxiety, doubt, Fear et al.).

Wrap real messages in a fantastic wrap sometimes helps to establish better communication with the reader. Moreover, all the feelings that we easily understand (anxiety, fear, and doubt), presented to in fantastic or fabulous manner is much easier to accept than the real story, filled with negative feelings.

3) the means of artistic expression (such as irony or metaphor) - an integral part of a good story

Almost every one of us read the following curriculum, tales Saltykov-Shchedrin. Everything that describes the Saltykov-Shchedrin in his tales, generously sprinkled with irony, - real. In fact, in their speech - about politics and the state of the country.

There are a host of literary techniques that you can use in their stories. Do not fail to do so, to make it even better.

4) Modeling

If you want your audience to become more favorable to you or do you want her to take the right decision or you view, use the simulation.
The hero of your story should be throughout the action changes in the way that you want to end up unchanged during your audience.

Why it works: people predstavlyut yourself inside history, rethinking itself as a protagonist.

Below are further 6 properties inherent Compelling identified researchers Melanie Green and Dr. Philip Mazzocco.

1) Presenting stories

We have already mentioned above, it is important not only what you're talking about, but also how you do it.

In many ways, whether history will remember, it depends on the author and his ability to be "in the flow" and amplify the impact of the audience during the important key points.

Is best remembered stories told by the way, leaving you a lasting impression.

2) Imagery

Without a very detailed and exciting visual cues, reader or listener does not sink so much in the story, as if you were to include the visual images.

If the prosecutor wants to condemn the criminal, he describes the picture of the sufferings of the victim and uses the expressive means of language, to evoke a feeling of sympathy for the victim of violence at the jurors that while listening, will visualize the suffering the victim.

Studies show that during the reading of a good story, our brains are really activated, as if takes us into the events described.

3) realism

Even if you are describing a fictional story, its elements must belong to the reality that is familiar to the audience, for example, to the basic human motivation. (Dooley)

You can almost say with certainty that if fictional stories have realistic elements, simple for the perception of the audience, it is easy to present yourself what is happening, even if it can not, in principle, be.

4) Structure

An example that researchers lead - Christopher Nolan's thriller "Remember". The reaction of critics to the film was diametrically opposite: some praised the film and its plot structure, someone has estimated its inverse plot development is very negative.

History of the protagonist takes place in reverse order, he has amnesia, and we see the end of the story, and how gradually unfolding events leading up to it.

film critics point to the fact that it was difficult to enjoy the film a second time, "stress" is practically invisible, because the plot is so confusing when you look at it in reverse order. In contrast to the film "Remember", critics argue that the great movies you can watch over and over again, even if you know what's coming.

This is because they are using an effective structure that literally keeps you glued to the screen to see what will happen, even if you already know the sequel.

Researchers somewhat agree with the critics: people prefer stories that unfold in a direct manner. In the early history of the necessary exposition, keep people on their toes, and not isolation.

5) Context

The context is very often an element that can have a significant impact on the degree of credibility of the story.

The image of the narrator, the way present yourself, the place where the story, the degree of noise settling website where you send people for examples and additional. information - all of this context has an impact on how the story will be accepted.

6) Audience

Different people can really react differently to the same story.

Decide to whom you tell your story, to present a product or to make a business proposal. Only then proceed to work on the performance.

P.S

When it comes to sales or other areas where facts and figures are necessary, they are an important addition to your stories. But remember that we make decisions based on emotions (and, to some extent unconsciously). So then let our rational processes justify this decision with facts.

Use stories to activate the empirical side of the brain of your readers and you will win their attention and interest.

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