Type Of Storytelling For Content Creators
There are many types of storytelling that content creators can use depending on their audience and the topic. However, the most popular type is narrative storytelling. Narrative storytelling is a way to tell a story in a linear fashion with a beginning, middle, and end. Now, here is how it works.
Download the first chapter of The Storytelling Series: Beginners’ Guide for Small Businesses & Content Creators by Obehi Ewanfoh.
Narrative stories are often considered more interesting than other types of stories because they have an emotional impact on the audience. They also have more depth than other forms of storytelling because they can include multiple perspectives or points of view.
Generally, there are 7 types of storytelling as followed
- Rags to Riches.
- Comedy
- Overcoming the Monster.
- The Quest.
- Voyage and Return.
- Tragedy.
- Rebirth.
Now, let’s look at each of them more closely.
Rags to Riches stories
The term “rags to riches” is often used in stories to denote a person who starts out in poverty and eventually becomes wealthy.
In the story, a modest and moral but downtrodden character achieves a happy ending when their natural talents are discovered, or they work hard for years without recognition.
So as a Rags to riches type of story, your character starts with nothing and goes on to become very successful. This is a common theme in literature and there are some examples of it in popular culture.
Anyone with incredible skills that have the potential to succeed could use this approach in the “real world”. This includes people from a wide range of careers, including photographers, musicians, bloggers, digital entrepreneurs, and much more.
Content creators can use these stories to sell their products and services, by giving readers a sense of hope that they too can overcome their struggles.
These types of stories also work well when used as social media posts or blog posts because they are more likely to get shared on social media and generate traffic back to your website. Here are some examples of rags to riches stories:
- Cinderella – a fairy tale about a young woman who overcomes her cruel stepfamily to become a princess and marry a prince.
- The Pursuit of Happyness – a biographical drama film about a struggling salesman who becomes homeless with his son but eventually rises to success as a stockbroker.
- Slumdog Millionaire – a movie about a young man from the slums of Mumbai who wins a game show and becomes a millionaire.
- Rocky – a movie about a small-time boxer who gets a shot at the world heavyweight championship and becomes a cultural icon.
- The Blind Side – a biographical drama film about a homeless teenager who is taken in by a wealthy family and goes on to become a successful football player.
- Jane Eyre – a novel about a poor orphan who becomes a governess and eventually marries a wealthy man.
- Oprah Winfrey – a real-life example of a woman who overcame poverty and abuse to become one of the most successful and influential media personalities in the world.
These are just a few examples of rags to riches stories, but there are many others across different genres and mediums.
Comedy stories
Comedy stories can be in the form of movies, books, or stage dramas. It is usually of light and humorous character with a happy or cheerful ending. Comedy stories are often about the happy endings of people who have suffered misfortune.
The term “comedy” is derived from the Greek κωμῳδία, meaning “revels, merriment.”
Comedy stories are unlike the more tragic stories found in most other genres of storytelling. Some key features of comedy are exaggerated physical characteristics and verbal humor which is often self-deprecating or poking fun at its own subject matter.
Comedies stories have been around as long as humans have had the ability to tell stories, and they can be found in various cultures throughout history.
Apart from the already mentioned types of comedy stories such as movies or stage dramas, comedy can also exist as a serialized television programming, such as sitcoms, animated cartoons, and much more.
Because comedy stories are a great way to make people laugh and make them feel good, they can be used in many ways to create content. For example, they can be used as a form of entertainment in the workplace, or to help with marketing campaigns. Here are some examples of comedy stories:
- The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde – a play about two friends who create alter egos to escape their social obligations, leading to mistaken identities and comical situations.
- Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding – a novel about a single woman’s humorous struggles with relationships, career, and weight loss.
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams – a novel about an unwitting human who travels through space and time with a group of eccentric alien companions.
- The Office (US version) – a TV show about the daily lives of employees working at a mundane paper company, filled with awkward and hilarious situations.
- Friends – a TV show about a group of friends living in New York City and their humorous adventures and relationships.
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail – a movie about King Arthur and his knights on a comical quest for the Holy Grail.
- Mrs. Doubtfire – a movie about a divorced father who disguises himself as an elderly British nanny to spend time with his children, leading to many humorous situations.
These are just a few examples of comedy stories, but there are many other types of comedy across different genres and mediums.
Overcoming the Monster stories
The Monster stories are a set of stories that are told to children to teach them about the dangers of the world. The stories have been told for generations, and many people still use them today. They are often told before bedtime in order to scare children into behaving well.
These days, however, we have a new set of monsters that need to be addressed: technology and social media.
Many parents feel as though they cannot keep up with their children’s use of technology and social media, which is why they often resort to these old-fashioned methods of discipline or punishment in order to try and scare their kids into not using these devices so much.
Unlike other types of stories, Monster tales don’t involve any random subplots to make it work. It is just good versus evil or hero vs villain.
There’s actually one important point I want to mention. The hero is often an underdog in comparison to the villain, no matter what form they come in (monster, political regime, corporate entity etc.)
A good example of Overcoming the Monster stories are:
- Terminator
- Jurassic Park
- James Bond
- Marvel’s MCU
In Overcoming the Monster stories, the protagonist goes through adversity with perseverance but often overcomes a powerful, threatening force.
The protagonist has an internal conflict, which is their internal struggle with themselves and what they want to do versus what they need to do.
The external conflict is what’s going on outside of them – like their family or friends or work or school – that’s making it hard for them to focus on their goals.
The story has a happy ending when the protagonist manages to overcome all of these obstacles and overcomes the monster in some way.
Overcoming the Monster stories is a great way to break the ice and get your audience hooked on your content. Not only do they have a dramatic story, but they also have an element of surprise.
The Quest stories
Do you remember the main character in your favorite fairytale and how they often face obstacles to gain new knowledge, skills, and experiences? They usually get a helping hand along the way and end up living happily ever after.
A quest is a heroic journey, typically one to recover something or to prove oneself. In medieval romance, the term “quests” refers to chivalric adventures.
The protagonist of the quest typically meets with and overcomes a series of obstacles, returning in the end with either a prize or at least some news of success.
Quest stories are a popular genre in literature and there are certain elements that need to be addressed in order for the quest to succeed.
There needs to be a clear goal and a clear antagonist, which can be something or someone.
Some good examples of Quest stories are as followed:
- Treasure Island,
- Harry Potter,
- The Land Before Time,
- The Lord of the Rings,
- The Hobbit.
Voyage and Return stories
The Voyage and Return type of storytelling is a tale that follows a general arc. Just as in the Hero’s Journey, the protagonist ventures forth into the unknown, and at first, the world of the unknown is fascinating and new.
However, as he or she explores it more thoroughly, they realize that this new world is not all that it seemed at first glance.
The protagonist in a Voyage encounters obstacles along the way and upon finally returning home, they are gifted with new knowledge or insight as to how to make their life better.
Some good examples are:
- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,
- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,
- The Chronicles of Narnia,
- Through the Looking Glass,
- Gone with the Wind,
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
The content marketer can use these stories to create a narrative around their product or service. These stories provide an opportunity for marketers to show how their product or service can help consumers achieve their goals.
Tragedy stories
Sometimes the best way to explore life is through the lens of death. Tragedy in literature can teach us lessons about life, love, and human nature. It can also provoke deep and powerful emotions that might not be as accessible in other genres.
Hamlet, for example, has remained the most popular and well-known of all of Shakespeare’s plays. It is considered to be one of the most influential tragedies in English literature, as well as one of the author’s most powerful pieces.
With its famous soliloquies and dialogue, it remains a staple in English classes across America to this day.
Some other examples of Tragedies include Romeo and Juliet.
In the story of Romeo and Juliet, the two young lovers meet, and fall in love, but because of their families’ age-old feud, they are going to face a terrible fate. Juliet’s cousin Tybalt kills Romeo’s friend Mercutio.
As you already know, tragedies are stories that are sad, depressing, or tragic. It is used in advertising and marketing to create an emotional appeal.
The best way to use a tragic story in content marketing is to combine it with an inspirational message. This will make the audience feel empowered and hopeful instead of sad or depressed. Here are some examples of tragedy stories:
- Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare – a play about two young lovers from feuding families who ultimately take their own lives.
- Macbeth by William Shakespeare – a play about a Scottish general who becomes power-hungry and ultimately meets a tragic end.
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – a novel about a man who becomes obsessed with winning back the love of his life and ultimately meets a tragic end.
- The Iliad by Homer – an epic poem about the Trojan War and the tragic deaths of many of its heroes.
- Oedipus Rex by Sophocles – a play about a king who unknowingly kills his own father and marries his mother, leading to his own downfall.
- Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller – a play about a salesman named Willy Loman who becomes disillusioned with the American Dream and ultimately takes his own life.
- A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams – a play about a woman named Blanche DuBois who struggles with mental illness and ultimately meets a tragic end.
These are just a few examples of tragedy stories, but there are many others across different genres and mediums.
Rebirth stories
Rebirth storytelling is a type of narrative that is used to convey a story through the use of birth, death, and rebirth. It can be used in any medium.
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a well-known story of rebirth. Other stories where the protagonist experiences a change after realizing the error of their ways include The Secret Garden, Beauty and the Beast, and Groundhog Day.
Rebirth storytelling is not just about death and resurrection. It’s actually about the process of growth, transformation, and renewal.
The power of rebirth storytelling lies in its ability to make the audience feel like they are part of the story. It taps into their emotions and this is what makes it so powerful for marketing purposes.
Conclusion on Type Of Storytelling For Content Creators
In conclusion, these 7 types of storytelling are powerful tools that have been used for centuries to entertain, inspire, and teach audiences. From rags to riches stories that inspire hope and perseverance, to tragedies that move us to tears and introspection, each of these types of storytelling has its unique way of touching our hearts and minds.
Whether it’s the comedic relief of everyday life, the thrilling adventure of a hero’s journey, or the uplifting message of rebirth and transformation, stories have the power to shape our beliefs, values, and understanding of the world.
By studying and utilizing these types of storytelling, we can learn to connect with our audiences, craft powerful messages, and make a lasting impact on those around us. So let’s keep telling stories that move and inspire us, and continue to harness the power of storytelling to create positive change in the world.
Download the first chapter of The Storytelling Series: Beginners’ Guide for Small Businesses & Content Creators by Obehi Ewanfoh.
