Eulogies □ What do you admire about this person? □ When did the person do something that was “so them”?

The scene works so well because of the sequencing. Getting the takeaway and outcome upfront creates curiosity. You know what happens in the end, but you don’t know why or how that happens.

Combining storytelling with data can bring that data to life.

Great stories are an exchange of energy between the storyteller and the audience.

We know from neuroscience research that we make decisions based on emotions, not logic. Data never speaks for itself.

It’s not enough to tell a story. The way you tell the story makes a difference in how people connect and engage with it. Each time we tell a story, we have a desired outcome: we want people to know, think, feel, or do something different after.

Meaningful details engage senses, create tension, and move the action forward. Details bring a story to life, make us feel something, and make the story memorable.

Don’t neglect the structure of your story.

Library of Files: We process thirty-four gigabytes of information into a library of files of experiences, memories, and emotions that are called upon for predictions. Great stories connect to what we already know through specific details and metaphors.