How to use the elements of narrative to keep listeners engaged?

Paula Moya, a humanities professor at Stanford University, discusses with Matt Abrahams about the art of storytelling. They delve into the elements of a narrative, the importance of inclusivity, and how to create compelling characters and situations that keep listeners engaged.

Understanding narratology

Narratology is the study of narratives and narrative structure, focusing on the elements that make a story work.

These elements include plot, characters, point of view, setting, scene, and style, with conflict being central to driving the story forward.

The balance of familiarity and novelty

To create a compelling narrative, it is important to strike a balance between familiarity and novelty.

This means making the story relatable yet surprising, which helps to keep the audience engaged and interested.

Crafting stories for different mediums

Crafting stories for different mediums requires considering the unique characteristics and constraints of each medium.

This ensures that the story is effectively communicated and resonates with the audience.