What Makes a Good Story?

This is one of the first questions I usually get when I do storytelling workshops. People want to know that what they say will matter to others; that it will be useful, helpful. Some people like to focus on the technical aspects of storytelling to determine the quality of a story: Does it have the typical beginning-middle-end structure? Are the characters developed? Is there a clearly identifiable plot? Even though the “technical” stuff is important, for me, there are four things that make a good story:

One: When you tell the story there has to be a catharsis; it has to change or move something in you. Telling a story must first yield a benefit, a release to you. You have to get something out the experience; otherwise, what’s the point? Have you though that, when you tell the story, you are the first audience of the story? Think about how you feel after you told a marvelous story? A sad one or a funny one?

Two: And this one is important. When you tell a story there has to be a connection with the audience. Your audience must find something in the story that helps them connect to you and to each other. Storytelling is universal because of its capacity to connect us on our common humanity. If I can see myself in your story, if I can relate to your experience, that will result in what some call “mirroring.” Which is the audiences’ ability or desire to mimic or repeat something in the story. Did you ever feel like you could have superpowers after watching X-men? Or that you wanted to be an astronaut after an episode of Star Trek?

Three: A good story helps you discover something about yourself. It does the same for the audience. A good story helps people understand something about themselves, or the world that surrounds them. A good story leads to that Aha! moment (what some call epiphany) where you suddenly realize something you didn’t know before. Like when you understood why Haley Joel Osment’s character said “I see dead people” or when you suddenly realize why you enjoy a friend’s company so much.

Four: Finally, a good story is one that has purpose. Why are you telling the story? Whether it is to learn something new, explain a concept or idea, build cohesion with your group, or entertain your family, a story should move the audience. It must make them feel the desire to do something with the information—share it, use it, apply it, etc. You know you’ve told a good story when, in the end, the audience is thinking of doing something with it.
Think of the last time you told a story; how did you feel? What did you see in the audience? What will you do when you tell your next story?