When you want to hold an audience’s interest, are you telling a story or telling a list?
Do you know there’s a difference?
A story is a series of opening loops and closing loops, which are defined by unexpected elements. An open loop is created when something is raised that is unexpected, and the loop is closed when it is resolved.
A boy called Harry was found with a scar on his forehead. How did the scar appear?
A girl called Dorothy was transported via tornado to a new world. Will she get home?
A boy called Tanjiro has a sister that is turned into a demon. Can he find a way to change her back?
But too often when we feel we are telling a story, we are actually telling a list. A list is just a series of elements in a particular order.
I went to the shops to buy ice cream. I bought ice cream. Then I returned home.
That’s a list.
Telling a list can be very important (especially when giving instructions). But if your intent is to tell a story, be sure to surprise your listener to better capture and hold their interest.