The document provides tips for effective storytelling and communication when trying to persuade others or deal with the media. It emphasizes the importance of having a strong foundation, structure, and finishing your story or message. It also stresses keeping your cool under pressure, controlling interviews, and staying on message with your key points.
2. Communication for Persuasion Blueprint: The Power of Story Building a Foundation Finishing with Passion Telling Your Story Keeping your cool Dealing with media
3. The Power of Story 1 What’s the most important part of a story? Impression Takeaway Unifying theme
4. The Power of Story Higher Purpose Intellectual Exercise Rote Movement Spiritual Mental Physical
5. The Power of Story People have more facts than they can use. Story is the framing that gives context.
7. The Framework of Story Foundation Foundation built on common ground Study Yourself Study Your Audience Look for Parallels Same path, different time Same emotion or confusion Similar backgrounds Anything topical ? ? X= !!
8. The Framework of Story Parallelogram: a regular closed quadrilateral with opposite sides of equal length and opposite angles of equal degree. Analogy and Metaphor What is this shape? Parallelogram: A rectangle that leans
9. The Framework of Story Analogy and Metaphor A rectangle that leans … start from a common experience, then transition to focus on the differences. Definition by Subtraction
10. The Framework of Story Structure Always start with STORY Story must answer: Who are you? Why are you here? What do you want?
12. The Framework of Story The Rule of Threes Structure Points Lock stock and barrel Hook line and sinker Huey Dewey and Louie Easy for you to remember Easy for them to remember
13. The Framework of Story The Order of Points Structure Points Narrative Chronological Priority You decide
14. The Framework of Story The Properties of Points Structure Points Can be subdivided Each “branch” has structure Assertion Evidence Conclusion
15. The Framework of Story The Properties of Evidence Structure Points - evidence Can singular or plural Different types Anecdote Fact Reason/Logic Demonstration
16. The Framework of Story The end is your beginning Structure THE Point (the Conclusion) One call to action One impression One point Build your presentation to finish where you want your audience to finish
17. The Framework of Story Finishing the story Foundation Structure Finishing Make it your story Add the details only you can You are the expert
18. Telling Your Story Storytelling in three formats: 1 Sentence 30 Seconds 90 Seconds gets to the point basic structure complex structure ! ? ! ? ! ! ! !
19. Keeping your Cool Body Language Posture Gestures Stance Direction Leaning in or away? Pointed fingers? Closed arms? Closed legs? Up lifts – down douses
20. Keeping your Cool Voice inflection Volume Pitch Speed Silence Quiet defeats shouts High is trying too hard Fast is a sign of frustration Resets attention
21. Dealing with the media What Makes News “News” The Three CONs Reporter Lingo, Tricks and Traps Performance Tips
22. Universal appeal Conflict Consumer Curiosity The “Out-of-the-Ordinary” Financial Stakes What makes News “NEWS”
23. The Three CONs Control the Interview Content that Matters Containing the Damage
24. Control the Interview Time Deep breath Awareness of deadlines Place Comfortable for you Comfortable for camera (and light)
25. Content that Matters Define your Key Message What do you want people to remember about Alabama Power after this story runs?” “ The police acted stupidly.” “ All I heard was a Whoo-Whoo-Whoo!”
26. Content that Matters Examples of a Key Message Alabama Power is committed to safety We are good environmental stewards We try to balance the needs of our communities
27. Content that Matters A Key Message is not a Talking Point Talking points are pieces of evidence that get summarized and stored Create your Key Message, then develop Talking Points that support it Fits on a business card.
28. Contain the Damage Keep answers pertinent to Alabama Power Don’t speak on behalf of other organizations Don’t come to unwarranted conclusions
29. Reporter Lingo Off-the-record Can be used, just not with your name NOT a solid legal protection “ Deep background” Reporter can’t use it Reporter must find another source Define the terms for yourself ! ! !
30. Reporter Tricks and Traps Loaded questions You are allowed to question the premise Unattributed accusations Who are “some” and “they?” The Silent Nod Don’t fill the gaps – answer then shut up
31. Don’t look at the lens Don’t back-light yourself Don’t worry about “um” and “uh” Keep your Key Message handy Interview Tips
32. Don’t deal with print immediately Ask who’ll be doing the editing Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” Don’t be afraid to offer an answer at a later time (within the deadline) Interview Tips
33. Be confident… YOU are the source Don’t be rattled by repeat questions End on your Key Message (“Anything I didn’t ask…?”) Interview Tips
Editor's Notes
#23: Alabama Superintendents' Academy Media Training Seminar
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