1. The story of how my family ended up in America [major life change story, culture shock story, story that inspires dependence on personal revelation]. I tell this story mostly so people know that I haven't grown up in America my whole life, and how growing up in another country has had a huge impact on who i've become.
2. The story of how I got my name and how it has effected the way I've grown up [identity story, personal meaning story, connecting to Maori culture]. This story is usually told when people ask why such a light skinned girl like me got such an exotic name.
3. The story of how and where my parents met and were married [ma & pa story, family basis, mix of cultures story]. This story is usually the product of the question: "So, your dad is Polynesian and your mother is American... how'd you come out so white?"
4. The story about how after four years of the not-so-greatest high school experience I decided to speak at graduation [ending on a good note type of story, making the best of what you got, looking for the good even when it all seems dull story]. I tell this story mainly to show that even though I didn't love high school, there were many parts I am grateful for making me who I am today.
5. The story about how I got involved with hip-hop dancing at a young age [fun story, unexpected results type of story, blessings of taking chances story]. A lot of people ask what I like to do, and when I tell them I dance they always ask what type of dancing... then it slowly leaks into me babbling about how much I love hip-hop.
6. The story about being one of two dancers that danced back-up for Lindsey Stirling during a Lakers half time show [personal goal/accomplishment story, dance story, reaching for your dreams story]. I usually tell this story when I get into conversations with people who want to know what I've done with dancing since I started. For some reason name dropping was particularly important around certain crowds I grew up dancing with (forgive me if it seems like boasting).
7. The story about how I was the opening act for Jordin Sparks when she came to Utah after her round on American Idol [explanation story, fun story, different skill sets story]. The only reason I really tell this story is because my mother loves to post old videos of me singing and people ask what some things I've done with singing have been.
8. The story about my senior prom and awesome last minute date [funny story, immaturity story, high school probs story]. This is a fun story I always tell when a group of friends decides to talk about how immature both genders can be at times.
9. The story of my first experience walking around as a full-time missionary on the grounds of the Joseph Smith birthplace memorial [mission story, spiritually enlightening, inspirational story]. This story was particularly important to how the remainder of my mission would be determined.
10. The story of one of my converts who had a pretty big set back on a farm while trying to prepare for baptism [perseverance story, spiritual story, working towards a goal story]. This story is one I would share to help give people a better picture of what my mission was like and how strong the people were where I served.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Personal Stories Catalog - Kevin Dorman
1. The story of speaking at Martin's Cove as part of a ward trek [spiritual story, testimony building story]. I tell this when talking about spiritual experiences or visiting church historical sites.
2. The story of not making the basketball team [sports story, story about learning what really matters]. I usually tell this story as an example of how I overcame a setback or learned that sports aren't everything.
3. The story of letting my companion cut my hair [story of forgiveness, story of no hair, funny story]. I find myself telling this story whenever a buddy goes to get a haircut. It usually makes them nervous.
4. The story of throwing a no-hitter during summer baseball [sports story, once in a lifetime story]. I usually tell this story when engaged in a testosterone-fueled conversation about favorite, personal sports accomplishments.
5. The story of giving an impromptu speech in a high school class that fooled everyone [funny story, story of mirroring what my dad taught me]. I tell this story to demonstrate my clever and witty nature.
6. The story of being the chief suspect for a local robbery [story of my first encounter with the law, story of giving my mom a heart attack, story of misunderstanding]. I usually tell this story when the topic of run-ins with the law comes up or when I see flashing lights.
7. The story of graduating early from high school and being the first eighteen-year-old in my mission [mission story, story about making decisions, story about no regrets]. I usually tell this story when the topic of high school graduation comes up because I was in the MTC during mine.
8. The story of trying out for high school choir under the pressure of a girl I was fond of, only to have her be the one get cut [story of immaturity, story of young love]. I tell this story to point out the frustration of trying to pursue a relationship.
9. The story of hitting a half-court shot while wearing a pink snowsuit in front of the whole junior high in an assembly as part of a dance routine to help my friend run for student government [10 seconds of fame story, funny story, story of dumb luck]. I had to tell this story a lot in high school because people would always ask me about it. "Remember when you..."
10. The multiple stories that contribute to why my teeth are fake [baseball story, mission story, chicken leg story]. I tell this story when people ask why my teeth are different colors.
2. The story of not making the basketball team [sports story, story about learning what really matters]. I usually tell this story as an example of how I overcame a setback or learned that sports aren't everything.
3. The story of letting my companion cut my hair [story of forgiveness, story of no hair, funny story]. I find myself telling this story whenever a buddy goes to get a haircut. It usually makes them nervous.
4. The story of throwing a no-hitter during summer baseball [sports story, once in a lifetime story]. I usually tell this story when engaged in a testosterone-fueled conversation about favorite, personal sports accomplishments.
5. The story of giving an impromptu speech in a high school class that fooled everyone [funny story, story of mirroring what my dad taught me]. I tell this story to demonstrate my clever and witty nature.
6. The story of being the chief suspect for a local robbery [story of my first encounter with the law, story of giving my mom a heart attack, story of misunderstanding]. I usually tell this story when the topic of run-ins with the law comes up or when I see flashing lights.
7. The story of graduating early from high school and being the first eighteen-year-old in my mission [mission story, story about making decisions, story about no regrets]. I usually tell this story when the topic of high school graduation comes up because I was in the MTC during mine.
8. The story of trying out for high school choir under the pressure of a girl I was fond of, only to have her be the one get cut [story of immaturity, story of young love]. I tell this story to point out the frustration of trying to pursue a relationship.
9. The story of hitting a half-court shot while wearing a pink snowsuit in front of the whole junior high in an assembly as part of a dance routine to help my friend run for student government [10 seconds of fame story, funny story, story of dumb luck]. I had to tell this story a lot in high school because people would always ask me about it. "Remember when you..."
10. The multiple stories that contribute to why my teeth are fake [baseball story, mission story, chicken leg story]. I tell this story when people ask why my teeth are different colors.
Personal Stories Catalog - Chloe Stacey
1. The story of how I "friend-zoned" my husband, and broke up with him during the course of our relationship. [relationship story, love story, story about making decisions] I tell this story when people ask how Bo and I met and ended up getting married. Our story is a non-typical one in the Mormon dating culture, so it tells of how we went a little against the grain in our dating life.
2. The story of how, as an 8-year-old girl, I braved the dark of the night to find a deer that had been living in the woods behind our house. [childhood story, animal story] This is a cute story from my childhood that I tell about how I began learning to get over a fear in order to do something I wanted. It also shows my love for and connection with animals.
3. The story when I reach up and kissed my deceased grandmother in her coffin. [death story, family story] This was my first experience with death.
4. The story of being a 5-year-old girl and the experience I vividly remember that sparked my desire to dance for the rest of my life. [dance story, story about what I want to be when I grow up] One of my earlier memories I have. This story tells how I decided at a young age what I wanted to do and be.
5. The story of watching our family dog give birth to puppies. [animal story] This story has become a very spiritual one to me.
6. The story of making "storm cookies" with my mom. [baking story, mom story] This is a sweet memory of my mom.
7. The story of performing on an outdoor stage in a piazza in Italy. [travel story, culture story, dance story] This story describes some of the amazing, eye-opening experiences I had in Italy learning about the people, their culture, and dance as a universal language.
8. The story of winning homecoming queen in high school senior year. [high school story, ironic story, story about how people view me] This event that occurred was a very surprising one. This story is about how I realized that people watch who you are, even when you don't think they do.
9. The story of driving cross-country in a U-Haul after my grandmother died. [trip story, family story] This story explains a fun memory I had in my childhood. On a deeper level, it expresses the idea that even though something really sad was going on at the time, my mind was taken off of it by the fact that I got to go on a special trip. I wasn't fully understanding what was happening.
10. The story of hatching chicks in our bathtub. [animal story, farm story] This just tells people a little bit more about me and what it was like growing up on a farm in the South.
2. The story of how, as an 8-year-old girl, I braved the dark of the night to find a deer that had been living in the woods behind our house. [childhood story, animal story] This is a cute story from my childhood that I tell about how I began learning to get over a fear in order to do something I wanted. It also shows my love for and connection with animals.
3. The story when I reach up and kissed my deceased grandmother in her coffin. [death story, family story] This was my first experience with death.
4. The story of being a 5-year-old girl and the experience I vividly remember that sparked my desire to dance for the rest of my life. [dance story, story about what I want to be when I grow up] One of my earlier memories I have. This story tells how I decided at a young age what I wanted to do and be.
5. The story of watching our family dog give birth to puppies. [animal story] This story has become a very spiritual one to me.
6. The story of making "storm cookies" with my mom. [baking story, mom story] This is a sweet memory of my mom.
7. The story of performing on an outdoor stage in a piazza in Italy. [travel story, culture story, dance story] This story describes some of the amazing, eye-opening experiences I had in Italy learning about the people, their culture, and dance as a universal language.
8. The story of winning homecoming queen in high school senior year. [high school story, ironic story, story about how people view me] This event that occurred was a very surprising one. This story is about how I realized that people watch who you are, even when you don't think they do.
9. The story of driving cross-country in a U-Haul after my grandmother died. [trip story, family story] This story explains a fun memory I had in my childhood. On a deeper level, it expresses the idea that even though something really sad was going on at the time, my mind was taken off of it by the fact that I got to go on a special trip. I wasn't fully understanding what was happening.
10. The story of hatching chicks in our bathtub. [animal story, farm story] This just tells people a little bit more about me and what it was like growing up on a farm in the South.
Assignment: Revising Our Personal Stories
As a follow-up to the discussion held with my students about the persuasive power of stories and storytelling, I'm now going to ask my students to consider personal stories and how we can draw more from them (both for personal and social purposes) by reworking them.
This is a two-part assignment. The first post (due Friday 10/30) will be a list of 10 stories (explained below). The second post (due Tuesday, Nov 3) will be based on the responses given by those who comment on the first post (as will be explained in a separate instructions post).
To introduce this assignment, I'd like to review how stories define us, as well as confine us, and how they can be used to bring about change. Then I will give the assignment details for the first post.
This is a two-part assignment. The first post (due Friday 10/30) will be a list of 10 stories (explained below). The second post (due Tuesday, Nov 3) will be based on the responses given by those who comment on the first post (as will be explained in a separate instructions post).
To introduce this assignment, I'd like to review how stories define us, as well as confine us, and how they can be used to bring about change. Then I will give the assignment details for the first post.
Storytelling in Business Consulting
Foreword:
In business consulting, stories are often used to illustrate points to clients. While data-driven analysis is the basis of our suggestions, stories help to make them more understandable and relevant. The stories are vocal, short, and illustrative of data. This story was found on businessballs.com, which claims that it is a true story.
Example Story:
Setup: A service-based company has hired consultants to solve its poor customer service ratings. We found that the problem is due to inconsistent application of industry best practices, and are going to give suggestions on why and how to fix this problem. This story is used as a set-up before I give the presentation.
The bank concerned had introduced a charge to be levied when people paid in money to be credited to an account held by a different bank. The charge was 50p and had been in force for about 6 months or so. A well to do, upper-class lady enters the bank and presents the cashier a check which she asks to be paid into an account held by a different bank. The cashier duly tells the lady that there will be a charge of 50p. Indignantly, she tells him, "I wasn't charged the last time."
To which the cashier immediately replies, "Well that will be a pound then..."
Analysis:
This story is illustrative of the importance of having standardized processes across a company. The persuasion is through a pathetic appeal of humor. It clearly demonstrates the problems that can result when changes are not completely and simultaneously implemented across a company.
Retelling the Story:
If I was telling a story to a labor group explaining why they should advocate for changes like the ones mentioned above, I could tell the story like this.
George is a teller at the local branch of a large bank. He has been working there 8 months now, and is really starting to get into the swing of things. He enjoys his job and feels that he is on the road to success with the firm. One day, unbeknownst to him, a supervisor puts a memo on top of his task while he's in the bathroom. Another teller walks over and drops some more papers on top of the stack. Unfortunately, the memo, which details a new pricing regimen to be applied to inter-bank transfers, gets lost in the pile. Because the business relies completely on tellers to apply prices with no electronic backup, hundreds of customers every day are helped by George without. Then one day, George's supervisor calls him into his office.
"George, our company auditors just came through, and they tell us that we've been losing 50p from you every time you perform a transaction. I'm going to have to put you on temporary probation."
George protests, but because he did indeed receive the memo, his statements that he didn't see it fall upon deaf ears, and he is soon fired and later prosecuted for embezzlement, all because his company had outdated price management systems.
I changed the story so that rather than being through the eyes of the customer, it comes from the eyes of an innocent, up-and-coming employee who is accidentally caught up in the errors caused by inefficient management systems. Whereas the first story would appeal more to management who are most concerned with customer experience, this applies more to those who advocate for workers by drawing attention to the dangers that these systems present to the company labor force.
In business consulting, stories are often used to illustrate points to clients. While data-driven analysis is the basis of our suggestions, stories help to make them more understandable and relevant. The stories are vocal, short, and illustrative of data. This story was found on businessballs.com, which claims that it is a true story.
Example Story:
Setup: A service-based company has hired consultants to solve its poor customer service ratings. We found that the problem is due to inconsistent application of industry best practices, and are going to give suggestions on why and how to fix this problem. This story is used as a set-up before I give the presentation.
The bank concerned had introduced a charge to be levied when people paid in money to be credited to an account held by a different bank. The charge was 50p and had been in force for about 6 months or so. A well to do, upper-class lady enters the bank and presents the cashier a check which she asks to be paid into an account held by a different bank. The cashier duly tells the lady that there will be a charge of 50p. Indignantly, she tells him, "I wasn't charged the last time."
To which the cashier immediately replies, "Well that will be a pound then..."
Analysis:
This story is illustrative of the importance of having standardized processes across a company. The persuasion is through a pathetic appeal of humor. It clearly demonstrates the problems that can result when changes are not completely and simultaneously implemented across a company.
Retelling the Story:
If I was telling a story to a labor group explaining why they should advocate for changes like the ones mentioned above, I could tell the story like this.
George is a teller at the local branch of a large bank. He has been working there 8 months now, and is really starting to get into the swing of things. He enjoys his job and feels that he is on the road to success with the firm. One day, unbeknownst to him, a supervisor puts a memo on top of his task while he's in the bathroom. Another teller walks over and drops some more papers on top of the stack. Unfortunately, the memo, which details a new pricing regimen to be applied to inter-bank transfers, gets lost in the pile. Because the business relies completely on tellers to apply prices with no electronic backup, hundreds of customers every day are helped by George without. Then one day, George's supervisor calls him into his office.
"George, our company auditors just came through, and they tell us that we've been losing 50p from you every time you perform a transaction. I'm going to have to put you on temporary probation."
George protests, but because he did indeed receive the memo, his statements that he didn't see it fall upon deaf ears, and he is soon fired and later prosecuted for embezzlement, all because his company had outdated price management systems.
I changed the story so that rather than being through the eyes of the customer, it comes from the eyes of an innocent, up-and-coming employee who is accidentally caught up in the errors caused by inefficient management systems. Whereas the first story would appeal more to management who are most concerned with customer experience, this applies more to those who advocate for workers by drawing attention to the dangers that these systems present to the company labor force.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Storytelling in Event Planning
Foreword:
Event planning is all about telling a story. The best event planners tell such an all encompassing story that the audience is often unaware that they are being told a story. One of my favorite stories in told in event planning is the story of love on one's wedding day. Often times, the story told on wedding day is less about the audience than the authors. Wedding planners have a few hours, at most, to help the couple tell their story to the people they care most about.
Example Story:
Toni and Cameron met while living in Denver doing door to door sales. At the end of the summer they made their relationship official; the next year, in October, they decided to share their love publicly with their family and friends. At the reception, a slideshow detailing their lives, before they met, and after.
Analysis:
Wedding planners help the couple to share the important aspects of their lives together. The couple persuades their family and friends of their love, and the audience reciprocates by attending the event. The slideshow depicts the change that has occurred in their lives as their relationship progressed.
Retelling the Story:
As the slideshow plays, Toni and Cameron watch with their closest friends and family as the screen retells their story. Just hours before, Cameron cried as Toni walked down the aisle in a beautiful lace dress. "I can't believe it all started with door to door sales," Toni mentioned in her vows.
Often times the wedding planner is asked for advice on what the maid of honor or mother of the bride or father of the bride or even bride and groom should say in their speeches. As a wedding planner, it is important to help them tell their story their own way. The retold story is a little more persuasive because it helps the audience connect more, shows a little more emotion, and has a bit of a surprising ending.
Event planning is all about telling a story. The best event planners tell such an all encompassing story that the audience is often unaware that they are being told a story. One of my favorite stories in told in event planning is the story of love on one's wedding day. Often times, the story told on wedding day is less about the audience than the authors. Wedding planners have a few hours, at most, to help the couple tell their story to the people they care most about.
Example Story:
Toni and Cameron met while living in Denver doing door to door sales. At the end of the summer they made their relationship official; the next year, in October, they decided to share their love publicly with their family and friends. At the reception, a slideshow detailing their lives, before they met, and after.
Analysis:
Wedding planners help the couple to share the important aspects of their lives together. The couple persuades their family and friends of their love, and the audience reciprocates by attending the event. The slideshow depicts the change that has occurred in their lives as their relationship progressed.
Retelling the Story:
As the slideshow plays, Toni and Cameron watch with their closest friends and family as the screen retells their story. Just hours before, Cameron cried as Toni walked down the aisle in a beautiful lace dress. "I can't believe it all started with door to door sales," Toni mentioned in her vows.
Often times the wedding planner is asked for advice on what the maid of honor or mother of the bride or father of the bride or even bride and groom should say in their speeches. As a wedding planner, it is important to help them tell their story their own way. The retold story is a little more persuasive because it helps the audience connect more, shows a little more emotion, and has a bit of a surprising ending.
Storytelling in Computer Science
Foreword
It is often necessary for programmers to discuss bugs in operating systems that they've released. One of the most important skills for someone creating a product for the public is identifying and resolving any conflicts with the product, often after it has been released. That is why beta programs exist; the product is released to a small group of people so that any major bugs can be patched before the final product is given to the public.
Example Story
Setup: This example is for a video game, because who doesn't love a good video game from time to time?
Story: The Beta weekend for Titan II has been a success. However, some players are experiencing issues. Once they have finished creating their characters, the world isn't rendering. As they can't interact with the world around them, these players aren't able to test out any of the game past the beginning. These players are streaming these issues to the community, and it's having negative effects on our projected player base. Some of the people that pre-ordered the game have asked for refunds. We need to work on the visual coding for the game or we're dead in the water.
Analysis
This seems like it would be the typical discussion between fellow programmers of a major bug directly following a game's release. It first identifies what is causing the problems, and it then implies what some of the negative effects of the problem will be.
Retelling the Story
Programmers must now convince their superiors that this major bug must be patched.
Projected sales for our game have drastically plummeted. Social media outlets are showing that common expectations for the game are dropping lower and lower. Popular streamers are revolted at the designs lack of foresight. One of our most consistent correspondents has begun making several videos showcasing game-breaking glitches in our design. Even opposing companies are mocking are game, calling it "Floating Titan II." We need to go into the programming and fix the problem so that this project doesn't die before it has even launched.
I reversed the order of the story so that the result, which is the really worrisome piece of information, is being presented first. I also added other pertinent information that may help persuade the audience, my superiors.
It is often necessary for programmers to discuss bugs in operating systems that they've released. One of the most important skills for someone creating a product for the public is identifying and resolving any conflicts with the product, often after it has been released. That is why beta programs exist; the product is released to a small group of people so that any major bugs can be patched before the final product is given to the public.
Example Story
Setup: This example is for a video game, because who doesn't love a good video game from time to time?
Analysis
This seems like it would be the typical discussion between fellow programmers of a major bug directly following a game's release. It first identifies what is causing the problems, and it then implies what some of the negative effects of the problem will be.
Retelling the Story
Programmers must now convince their superiors that this major bug must be patched.
Projected sales for our game have drastically plummeted. Social media outlets are showing that common expectations for the game are dropping lower and lower. Popular streamers are revolted at the designs lack of foresight. One of our most consistent correspondents has begun making several videos showcasing game-breaking glitches in our design. Even opposing companies are mocking are game, calling it "Floating Titan II." We need to go into the programming and fix the problem so that this project doesn't die before it has even launched.
I reversed the order of the story so that the result, which is the really worrisome piece of information, is being presented first. I also added other pertinent information that may help persuade the audience, my superiors.
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