Story Smart: Using the Science of Story to Persuade, Influence, Inspire, and Teach [Paperback]

This one-of-a-kind book reveals the secrets of a story's power to persuade, inspire, influence, and to teach.

Our brains have been evolutionarily hardwired to think, to make sense, and to understand in simplebut hiddenstory terms. You'll discover the Neural Story Net, the Make Sense Mandate, Motive Matching, and the Story Influence Lineand understand how these powerful concepts control listener/reader engagement, attention, and the impact your communications will exert. You'll learn that what reaches the conscious mind of your target audience is significantly different from what first reached their eyes and earsand that you can control that internal, neural process.

This easy to use guide is organized into four parts: the neuroscience of narrative; your story tools; how narratives exert influence (changing beliefs, attitudes, values, etc.); and the straightforward process of creating Story Smart stories.

Kendall Havenis the only internationally recognized expert in the science of story structure. His published works include 24 books from Libraries Unlimited.Kendall Haven speaks to the power of the story by exploring how the brain processes stories and what elements are key to making a story successful. This book is . . . an easy-to-read guide to the science behind what makes stories memorable. The Library Quarterly

Contents



Part I: Hooked on Story

Part II: Story State of Mind

Part III: Eight Essential Elements

Part IV: It Was a Dark and Stormy Night: How Stories Create Influence

Part V: Seven Story Steps: Step-By-Step



References

Index