This framework will help you write/tell effective stories (from social media posts to longer written or oral stories) that can effectively resonate with audiences, as it integrates facts and emotion. It is also a useful model to organise ideas and activities, and ensuring coherence within the story.
The Story Spine provides a simple, repeatable structure for storytelling:
- Once upon a time – start by setting the scene: who is this story about, where it happens, when it happens.. the basic information to place the action.
- Every day: what is the status quo at this point? What is the main character’s routine at this point? Share what they do and how they feel about it.
- Until one day: something happens that changes this status quo and throws it out of balance. This trigger event will lead the main character to explore different ways of doing things.
- Because of that: the main character now has to do something to try and regain balance. What is their reaction to the trigger? What are the consequences of this action? This will lead to…
- Because of that (again) the main character has tried something, this has resulted in a new situation that they react to and, in turn, creates a new consequence. Repeat “Because of that” a few times, until you reach the climax in the “Until finally” stage.
- Until finally: this is where the conclusion is reached. Something results from the steps the main character has taken and leads to a “new normal”.
- And ever since then: this is where you share what the new normal is. What is the new everyday the main character experiences after this process.
This structure helps to ensure that stories are engaging, logical and emotionally compelling.
Tips for use:
- Use the Story Spine for anything from social media posts to workshop activities.
- Encourage participants to use post-its and flipcharts to map out their story.
- Repeat “Because of that” as many times as needed to build tension and depth.
- Use the framework to organise project activities or communicate change.
Watch this video to understand Pixar’s storytelling further: https://youtu.be/2kg6SrKLXMQ
