Stories are used by people to convey information in a way that adds meaning and emotional strength to it. When the story has inner cohesion, the message will stick better. A good story is effective, due to the fact that it is connected to the mythical depth-structure of human experience. The mythographer, Joseph Campbell described this primal story as the Monomyth. Later, it became known as the Hero’s Journey, the story w... Stories are used by people to convey information in a way that adds meaning and emotional strength to it. When the story has inner cohesion, the message will stick better. A good story is effective, due to the fact that it is connected to the mythical depth-structure of human experience. The mythographer, Joseph Campbell described this primal story as the Monomyth. Later, it became known as the Hero’s Journey, the story with an infinite appeal. For that reason, Disney Studios has a rule that every movie they make has to have a link to the mythical story structure and universal themes. Only then, movies are created that people will remember for the rest of their lives (and watch over and over again). Disney has also proven that telling good stories is not only an art, but also a skill, a science, a craft. They had the theory of Joseph Campbell simplified and translated to the modern scenario practice by Christopher Vogler. This twelve-step model they use, along with writers all across the globe, also is the foundation of what you’ll learn here. Step by step, we’ll go through the main ingredients of a good story. And each time, we’ll provide examples of story elements and exercises to help you develop good stories yourself. Show More

In this chapter, we’ll provide you with an overview of the structure of stories. We first will look at the story-mood that we have simplified to positive / cheerful or negative / gloomy. Then we will discuss the content more extensively as well as the many variations of complex emotions and of moral dilemmas that underlie stories. We will talk about the main character in the story, for whom we will use the term ‘protagoni... In this chapter, we’ll provide you with an overview of the structure of stories. We first will look at the story-mood that we have simplified to positive / cheerful or negative / gloomy. Then we will discuss the content more extensively as well as the many variations of complex emotions and of moral dilemmas that underlie stories. We will talk about the main character in the story, for whom we will use the term ‘protagonist’. This is to indicate that it concerns a main character, but not necessarily a hero. Moreover, it is a convenient gender-neutral word. Show More

So, the S-curve can be considered a perfect metaphor for the course of human development. A broadly elaborated model based on this story curve is the Double Healix model of human development. In this chapter, we will first briefly run through this model and subsequently provide several examples of story structures that go with it. So, the S-curve can be considered a perfect metaphor for the course of human development. A broadly elaborated model based on this story curve is the Double Healix model of human development. In this chapter, we will first briefly run through this model and subsequently provide several examples of story structures that go with it.

We have now travelled extensively through the land of stories. In the previous chapter, you were briefly introduced to the Double Healix model as foundation for a suspenseful story or good speech. In this chapter, we will work on building stories ourselves. Step by step, we will go through the possibilities per phase. We have now travelled extensively through the land of stories. In the previous chapter, you were briefly introduced to the Double Healix model as foundation for a suspenseful story or good speech. In this chapter, we will work on building stories ourselves. Step by step, we will go through the possibilities per phase.