How To Elicit Emotion With Storytelling
Hey, so I’d wanted to answer a question that was asked in my private Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/stortellingrooftopgarden/?ref=bookmark).
Here's the question:
“I’d love to see info about how to create story elements that connect with the audiences emotions in different ways.”
Great question and it really gets to the heart of why storytelling is so effective compared to something like powerpoint or ROI talk or even features and benefits. Storytelling, done correctly, has the potential to connect with the listener on an emotional level.So, in this video, I’m going to give you 3 tips on engaging your listener emotionally.
Tip #1: Context
Storytelling has a deep chemical effect on the brain. There are a number of chemicals that get released during a good story, but the two most important are cortisone and oxytocin. Let’s focus for a moment on the second one — oxytocin. Oxytocin is a molecule that makes us feel empathy
for other people. It’s the molecule that allows us to relate to others and feel what they’re feeling- so, obviously, our ability to create that molecule in other people’s brains is essential to effective storytelling. So, when we begin a story with context in the form of personal details about us or
our story’s protagonist, we cause an oxytocin release in the brains of our listeners. When our listener can recognize him or herself in the story, the start to build a neurological connection with the protagonist.
Tip #2: Sensory details
Our senses play an integral part in our emotional processing. As a result, our senses can serve as emotional triggers. The body wash that special someone used, the sight of leaves falling in the fall, the opening note of our favorite song — sensory moments like those can have a huge
impact on our emotions. So, obviously, if we craft our stories to include very specific sensory descriptions, we naturally have an opportunity to affect people’s emotions. So, in telling your story, include specific sensory details — sights, sounds, smells… especially if they’re really evocative or archetypical. What do I mean by that? Everyone remembers the smell of their grandparents house or the sound of kids laughing at them — moments like these will be inborn in many of your listeners and bringing them up will naturally evoke emotional responses.
Tip 3: Conflict
In tip 1 we mentioned the two primary chemicals released in the brain during storytelling and we focused on oxytocin. The second chemical released is called cortisol. It’s a stress hormone. Why would you want to release a stress hormone in your listener? Well, for one, it causes your listener to focus on what you’re saying — you’ve caused them stress and now they’re looking to
you to relieve it. Second all, studies have shown that when a listener’s brain releases cortisol can conjunction with oxytocin it has a unique effect on the brain — studies funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency showed that the dual release of these chemicals caused listeners to stories to become more generous and connected even to complete strangers. So conflict, used in conjunction with context, the way proper story structure
incorporates it, connects us to other humans on a deep, emotional level. So tell the listener about the hard times and dangerous spots you’ve been in.
So, the next time you’re telling a story and want to create story elements that connect with the emotions of the audience, think context, sensory details, and conflict.
