Session Two of an eight session training course designed to build skills in communicating online. This session explores the art of storytelling covering sourcing ideas and how to effectively communicate them.

1. WORKSHOP 2
The Art of Storytelling

2. Session Two
By the end of this workshop you should have the knowledge necessary to source and
outline a story. You will also have developed an understanding of the roles structure and
content play in good storytelling.
This will be done be considering:
• How to source story ideas and confirm they are appropriate?
• How to outline an article
• Methods for conveying concepts and ideas

3. SOURCING IDEAS FOR
STORIES
Where to look for inspiration?

4. Sourcing ideas for stories
Your own experiences
• Personal diary
• http://thesecretlifeofamanicdepressive.wordpress.com/2014/01/18/withdrawal-2/
• Thoughts promoted by your day to day experiences
Example: http://douglascootey.com/2014/06/adhd-fearing-failure.html
• ‘How to’ articles - this is how I achieved X
• Reviews of places you have visited or things you have experienced
• Your memories or reminiscences

5. Sourcing ideas for stories
Your passions:
http://ww2today.com/ is a fascinating blog driven by someone’s interest inWorldWar
2. It tells what happened on this day 70 years ago.
Hello Sunday morning: https://www.hellosundaymorning.org is a site seeking to
change Australia’s drinking culture.

6. Sourcing ideas for stories
Recent news or research:
Sites that are dedicated providing up to date information in a particular subject areas Eg:
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com
As a jump of point for an article in a more personal blog:
http://thesecretlifeofamanicdepressive.wordpress.com/
Or as the impetus for an opinion piece on a specific issue:
http://www.abc.net.au/rampup/articles/2014/06/18/4027063.htm

7. SHOULD YOU WRITE IT?
Considerations?

8. Should you write it?
What impact will this story have on others?
Are you an appropriate person to be writing about this?
Would anyone want to know what you think about this issue?
What perspective do you bring to the issue?
Is what you are going to write about relevant for your audience?
Will you add anything new by writing on it?

9. STARTING TO WRITE

10. OUTLINING

11. Outlining an Article
What is an Outline? – Intro leading into a body, perhaps with subheadings, leading in turn to a conclusion.
Rules: - Outlines should be: clear, concise and encapsulate the essence of the piece of work you are
writing.
Introductions: – Set the scene, capture attention, introduce the argument, signpost what the reader can
expect. Tell them what you will tell them.
Body:– Perhaps with sub headings depending on where your writing will appear. Tell them, tell them and
tell them again but with nuance, style and with a tone that will keep them engaged.
Conclusions: – Tell them what you’ve told them but leave them wanting more. In the case of social media
invite comments

12. BUILDING YOUR STORY

13. Building a story
Content considerations
• Using data and stats – Data is powerful but can also be unreliable and easy to
manipulate.
• Importancy of accuracy – Don’t Misquote, Attribute sources, check your facts
• Clear, precise, easily understood language

14. Building a Story
Content Considerations continued
• One story – one idea
• Sign posting: tell them what you are about to tell them and remind them what you’ve
told them.
• Plot development: Non fiction works can still have plot.

15. BUILDING A STORY
Generating audience engagement

16. Building a story
Generating audience engagement:
Personalising a story – Using characters
Content – writing style
Accessibility
AuthorsVoice:
• Tone – CarolynWilson, Andrew Bolt
• Humour
• Language - Dickens

17. Building a story activity
Activity - Groups to discuss example: –The Little Frenchman:
http://www.acmi.net.au/dst_little_frenchman.htm in terms of: building a story,
personalising a story and creating the context.

18. Review
Today we have considered:
• How to source story ideas and confirm they are appropriate?
• How to outline an article
• Methods for conveying concepts and ideas
You should now have the knowledge necessary to source and outline a story. You should
also have developed an understanding of the roles structure and content play in good
storytelling.

19. Next Steps
Tasks:
1. Access theWIKI and review this session’s material. There are many tasks throughout
theWIKI.
2. Populate the parts of the project snapshot that we have covered so far:
• Reasons for communicating
• Story ideas
3. Outline a story, including notes capturing content considerations

20. Next session
The Mechanic ofWriting:
Defining your audience
Creating a writers voice and developing your own style.
The Do’s and Don’ts of writing