Storytelling Foundations
Welcome to our Storytelling Foundations online course.
Scroll down to see the modules, lessons, FAQs and information about the trainer.
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You, the storyteller
Introduction to seven arguments as to why storytelling is useful
Storytelling is a very human way of communicating
Audiences are accustomed to taking on information through story
Introduction to seven arguments as to why storytelling is useful
Storytelling is a very human way of communicating
Audiences are accustomed to taking on information through story
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Thinking like a storyteller helps you untangle and prioritise
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Empathy for engagement
Why we like stories
How empathy works
How to use empathy effectively for communicating technical content
Why we like stories
How empathy works
How to use empathy effectively for communicating technical content
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How to frame context as the world of the story
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Story gives structure
Introduction to different story structures
The advantages of using a story structure
Introduction to different story structures
The advantages of using a story structure
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Tapping into curiosity
The four ways to generate curiosity in an audience
How story taps into curiosity through questions and answers
The four ways to generate curiosity in an audience
How story taps into curiosity through questions and answers
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How to frame your communication as change
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Summary of the seven arguments
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Opportunities for telling a story
Common problems with communication
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How to define your aims
Why to define your aims
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How to define your audience
Why to define your audience
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Audience wants and needs
How to define your audience’s wants and needs
Why to define their wants and needs
How to define your audience’s wants and needs
Why to define their wants and needs
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How to make a plan from your aims and audience
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How to choose the right story to tell
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Three part structure
Introduction to a three part structure
The function of the beginning, middle and end
Introduction to a three part structure
The function of the beginning, middle and end
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Introduction to the ‘small story’ exercise
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Summary of the story of Finding Nemo
Story tools
Lessons from this template
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How to set the context of a technical story
How to frame stakes and motivation
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Middles
The inciting incident as the problem
How to communicate the ‘journey’ of a technical story
The importance of conflict
The inciting incident as the problem
How to communicate the ‘journey’ of a technical story
The importance of conflict
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How to frame a conclusion
How to resolve a technical story
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How to use this template as a storyteller
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Summary of how to tell a technical story
How to get in touch to book a session
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About the trainer
Dr Anna Ploszajski is the founder of Storyology. She’s a materials scientist, storyteller, author, podcaster, speaker, presenter, trainer, trumpeter, English Channel swimmer, feminist, knitter, walker and border collie dog mum, originally from Bedford, now settled in Walthamstow, East London.
FAQs
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The worksheet is a 17-page pdf document that provides examples and templates to help you write your story. It’s available for free to participants on paid workshops, or can be downloaded for £10 if you’re taking the course independently.
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Yes! The video content and accompanying worksheet of Storytelling Foundations is completely free to watch as many times as you like.
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Storytelling Foundations is a course designed for academic or industrial researchers, or people working in technical industries like engineering and tech.
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Storytelling Foundations aims to help with common communication problems, such as those encountered when writing or presenting about technical content or research.
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If you’re booked onto a workshop with us through your university or employer, you’ll have an opportunity to receive personalised feedback. If not, get in touch and see whether we can arrange a workshop or a one-to-one session with you.
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There’s about 30 minutes of video content, and we recommend that you spend some extra time thinking about the answers to the questions on the worksheet.