The Science of Storytelling: Why Telling a Story is the Most Powerful Way to Activate Our Brains

Unravel the intricate connection between storytelling and our brains. Discover why narratives have such a profound impact on us, and how they can stimulate cognitive functions. Let's delve into the fascinating science of storytelling and its powerful influence on our minds.

Storytelling and Its Power

A good story can make or break a presentation, article, or conversation. Why is that?

• When Buffer co-founder Leo Widrich started to market his product through stories instead of benefits and bullet points, sign-ups went through the roof. Here he shares the science of why storytelling is so uniquely powerful.

Exchange Suggestions for Telling Stories

One of the most powerful ways to get people on board with your ideas and thoughts is by telling a story.

• Uri Hasson from Princeton says storytelling is the only way to activate parts in the brain so that a listener turns the story into their own idea and experience.

Write more persuasively-bring in stories from yourself or an expert

Exchange stories with those of experts

• This adds credibility and at the same time, tells the reader the story of the author
• Ask for quotes from the top folks in the industry or find great passages they had written online

Our brain on stories: How our brains become more active when we tell stories

When we are being told a story, things change dramatically

• Not only are the language processing parts of our brain activated, but any other area in our brain that we would use when experiencing the events of the story is activated

The simple story is more successful than the complicated one

Using simple language as well as low complexity is the best way to activate the brain regions that make us truly relate to the happenings of a story.

• Our brain learns to ignore certain overused words and phrases that used to make stories awesome.

Evolution has wired our brains for storytelling-how to make use of it

A story, if broken down into the simplest form, is a connection of cause and effect.

• While we are busy searching for a similar experience in our brains, we activate a part called insula, which helps us relate to that same experience of pain, joy, or disgust.

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