The structure of a story
How do you begin creating a story? Start with plot structure, so you have a skeleton to hang your story on. There are three basic plot structures, according to Gabriel …
Here’s my own video story
I’ve written many blog posts about telling stories. Here’s one of my own personal stories. The UW Department of Communications wrote a story for its August newsletter about my …
Palliative care video wins Videographer Award
The video on palliative care that I produced for UW Medicine has won a second national award: a Videographer Award of Distinction. Last week I found out that it won …
Stories help people know what to do
Storytelling is one of my favorite topics. I often talk about stories as a way to get people to care about something. But that’s only part of what stories …
Palliative care video wins Clarion Award
The video I produced for UW Medicine about palliative care has won a national Clarion Award from the Association for Women in Communications. “Palliative care: helping patients improve quality of …
What’s wrong with your message? Make it more emotional
What’s more likely to get you to stop using pesticides on your lawn? Facts about possible impacts of pesticides on streams? Or the idea that you might harm your kids …
To make information stick, make it credible.
Why does some information stick and other information is quickly forgotten? One reason is that sticky information has more credibility. In Made to Stick, the Heath brothers offer some ideas …
Telling the Alzheimer’s story
What will get people to care about an issue? A personal story is often an effective way. It connects with people’s emotions, and that is more likely to lead to …
Santa Claus in an airline safety video?
Can you think of anything more boring than an airline safety announcement? When the flight attendant or video starts telling me how to fasten my seat belt, I quickly glance …
How to make your ideas stick like duct tape
Duct tape is designed for a long-term bond. If you’re trying to change someone’s behavior, beliefs or opinions, wouldn’t you like your ideas to stick in the same way? I’m …