Storytelling: A Natural Tool to Weave the Threads of Science and Community Together

Abstract

Humans have been telling stories nearly since we became Homo sapiens, sharing them orally before the invention of writing. Storytelling may even be an evolutionary mechanism, embedded in our very DNA, which helped keep our ancestors alive (Smith et al. 2017). A narrative develops from both data and emotions, which is significantly more effective in engaging a listener than data alone (Dahlstrom 2014). Additionally, sharing stories connects us to one another. When we convey both information and our personal experiences through storytelling, our listeners begin to connect what they hear to their own lives (Downs 2014). Through this process, rapport is built, along with credibility and trust. In short, humans are hard wired for storytelling (Pickering and Garrod 2004, Stephens et al. 2010). And, anyone can tell a story, making it an incredibly empowering and effective form of communication for multiple scenarios.