Personal experiences Professional experiences Challenges, aspirations, and experiences of customers, clients, and stakeholders Insights from a muse Things that catch your attention in the world Items or locations that can anchor to time and changes over the years

Parallel stories connect the audience to an emotion or theme around the data by telling a story from a different context.

The four-part story structure is a tool you can use five minutes before a meeting to anchor the major points of a story or communication you’re going to share. Using this structure makes it easier for the audience to follow and understand your story.

“If this is true, what else is true?” The audience is also part of the ensemble and story.

“The story is the basic unit of human understanding.” I love that definition. I use stories to increase understanding of something—a process, perspective, or motivation.

Have points or a theme that align with the outcome I want for my audience?

Show the emotions of the characters without telling us. Don’t tell us the character is frustrated. Describe how they cut someone off in conversation, refusing to have the same conversation again.

Compare, Contrast, “Imagine If . . .”: visioning or strategy sessions.

I learn what the audience experiences through testing stories.