Four I’s of Engaging Stories

We all know when we are interacting with an engaging story but do we always know why it is so? An easy way to remember how to create an engaging story is to remember the four I’s.

In her TedTalk, Ashley Fell describes these four elements and how they make storytelling powerful in this digital era.

Interest

Engaging stories are interesting and capture the audience’s attention. They also maintain that attention throughout the story. A creator needs to consider what the audience will be attracted to and how to appeal to it. Taking the time to get to know your audience well will pay off in the long run.

Instruct

Engaging stories have meaning. When your audience reflects on the story what do you want to stand out. It is helpful to decide on the most meaningful moments and to really make them stand out. This can be tricky but is very important to maintain an audience’s attention.

Involve

Engaging stories bring the audience in and connect them to the narrative. They are universal and relatable to those viewing it. One way to do this is to think of a real event in your own life and how it made you feel a particular way and then try to make your audience feel that way.

Inspire

When an engaging story is concluded, you want your audience to feel inspired and to remember the story well. Good stories can even change people’s opinions about certain topics. They can also make a viewer feel like they can accomplish a new goal. What is better than making someone reach for new heights or change their view for the better?