What makes a good story?

PSYC 81.09: Storytelling with Data

Jeremy R. Manning
Dartmouth College
Spring 2026

Today's agenda

  1. Storytelling principles — what makes a story stick?
  2. Group discussion — stories that have shaped us
  3. Workshop time — pitch your story idea and get feedback
  4. Assignment 1 release — tell the class a 5-minute story

What are the elements of a good story?

The story spine was created by improviser Kenn Adams and later adopted by Pixar as a core storytelling tool. It organizes narratives into three acts:

  • Act 1 — Setup: Introduce your main ideas, characters, and the point of conflict. Fill the audience in on the past.
  • Act 2 — Conflict: Take the audience through the central struggle. Show growth and change. End at the "low point" where things seem hopeless.
  • Act 3 — Resolution: The climax — the straw that breaks the camel's back. Resolve the conflict and leave the audience with a clear message or moral.

Great stories also share: emotional connection, audience awareness, and a clear theme — know what you are trying to say.

Learn more: Khan Academy / Pixar: The Art of Storytelling — especially the story structure module.

Discussion 1: stories that stick

Think about any medium — a book, a movie, a conversation, a news article, a personal experience someone shared with you.

  • What was the emotional hook?
  • How was the story structured?
  • What details do you still remember?

Discussion 2: stories and understanding

Consider:

  • How do narratives influence what we pay attention to?
  • Can stories change our beliefs or behavior?
  • When have you seen a story reframe a problem in a new way?

Assignment 1: Tell a story

Tell the class a 5-minute story on any topic, as a YouTube video.

  • The video should include some sort of visual aid (drawings, photos, slides, memes, AI-generated images — anything visual)
  • Post a link to the video on slack to the #your-stories channel before class
  • The other assignment elements (narrative outline, written narrative, "sketch" of the visual elements, reflections) should be combined into a zip file and posted in the same channel (also before class)
  • Due: Monday, April 6 before class

The goal is to practice conveying a message compellingly and succinctly. No data required — just a great story.

Workshop time!

  1. Pitch your story idea — half-baked ideas are welcome and encouraged!
  2. Give feedback using the feedback sandwich:
    • Start with something you liked
    • Offer constructive suggestions
    • End with a positive note

Remember: you are not your story idea. Feedback is about making the story better, not judging you personally.

Questions? Want to chat more?

📧 Email me
💬 Join our Slack
💁 Come to office hours
  • Monday: Review Assignment 1 stories, give each other feedback and suggestions!