The Public Relations BlogCreativityStorytelling & Writing10 Storytelling Elements (Found in Almost All Great Stories)

10 Storytelling Elements (Found in Almost All Great Stories)

Learn the basic elements of Hollywood-style storytelling.

Cover photo: @jerrysilfwer

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What are the typ­ic­al storytelling elements?

In storytelling, some things work — again and again. 

I’ve dis­tilled some of the most widely used storytelling ele­ments from the basic “Hollywood-style” format.

As a pub­lic rela­tions pro­fes­sion­al since 2005, I find the study of dra­mat­ic com­pos­i­tion fascinating.

Here we go:

The Storytelling Elements

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Storytelling Elements

Some storytelling ele­ments keep com­ing back in both old and new stor­ies. No need to fix it if it ain’t broken, right? 

Dramaturgy is the study of dra­mat­ic com­pos­i­tion and the rep­res­ent­a­tion of the main ele­ments of drama on the stage.”
Source: Wikipedia 1Dramaturgy. (2023, April 2). In Wikipedia. https://​en​.wiki​pe​dia​.org/​w​i​k​i​/​D​r​a​m​a​t​u​rgy

Here are some of the most widely used storytelling ele­ments (in chro­no­lo­gic­al order):

1. The Contract

In the very begin­ning, you have to make a prom­ise. Will this be viol­ent? Scary? Fun? Tense? Dramatic?

2. The Pull

Provide con­text to pull the audi­ence into your story.

3. The Incident

The event sets the story in motion. It should occur early and keep the story mov­ing forward.

4. The Reveal

Allow your char­ac­ters to learn what the story is about — and what’s at stake.

5. Point of No Return

The forces of good face an impossible decision that con­cerns fear, safety, love, hate, revenge, or despair.

6. Anti-Climax

You must allow the forces of evil to have this epic win.

7. All-is-Lost Moment

The moment where all is lost. It would help if you por­trayed the most pro­found des­pair for the forces of good.

8. News of Hope

A pos­sib­il­ity for a side char­ac­ter to shine. A light that shines into the total dark­ness of the moment.

9. The Climax

The shit hits the fan, and the good puts everything at risk but over­comes — des­pite impossible odds.

10. The Pay-Off

Public dis­plays of relief and hap­pi­ness, love, and for­give­ness. We also learn that the hero has evolved.

Learn more: 10 Storytelling Elements (Found in Almost All Great Stories)

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Update: Want to see these storytelling ele­ments applied to an actu­al story? Read also Storytelling Elements in Star Wars: A New Hope.

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Thanks for read­ing. Please sup­port my blog by shar­ing art­icles with oth­er com­mu­nic­a­tions and mar­ket­ing pro­fes­sion­als. You might also con­sider my PR ser­vices or speak­ing engage­ments.

PR Resource: Storytelling

Free Storytelling PR Course - Doctor Spin - Public Relations Blog
Free storytelling PR course.
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Doctor Spin’s PR School: Free Storytelling PR Course

Elevate your pub­lic rela­tions game with this free Storytelling PR Course. Learn essen­tial and time­less storytelling tech­niques for effect­ive communication.

Learn more: All Free PR Courses

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ANNOTATIONS
Jerry Silfwer
Jerry Silfwerhttps://doctorspin.net/
Jerry Silfwer, alias Doctor Spin, is an awarded senior adviser specialising in public relations and digital strategy. Currently CEO at Spin Factory and KIX Communication Index. Before that, he worked at Kaufmann, Whispr Group, Springtime PR, and Spotlight PR. Based in Stockholm, Sweden.
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The Cover Photo

The cover photo isn't related to public relations obviously; it's just a photo of mine. Think of it as a 'decorative diversion', a subtle reminder that it's good to have hobbies outside work.

The cover photo has

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