Stories of the Heart Continued
We are a society that in general denies grief, avoids the emotion whenever possible, and expects those grieving to quickly "deal with it" and "get over the loss." Listening to stories of loss is difficult. It requires taking time to slow down and "be" with the painful emotions. [8] We are unsure what to say, how to act, what to do. In our fast-paced, efficiency-focused society, people often do not recognize the benefit of telling or listening to the story.
Table 1 summarizes some of the various ways that stories can utilized.
Ways of Using Stories
Communicating
Educating and Informing
Building rapport
Establishing connections
Inspiring and Encouraging
Preserving cultural identity
Recreating and Entertaining
Clarifying emotions
Remembering
Translating memories into stories
Coping with death, illness, tragedy
Healing from loss
Leaving a legacy
Honoring the dying person’s final journey
Table 1
Definitions
A Storyteller is "a teller of stories," "a relater of anecdotes," or one who recites or writes stories. [9] Telling the Story focuses on the act of relating anecdotes and telling healing stories; this can be accomplished via several methods--verbal or written narratives, tape or video recordings. Stories can also be expressed in song, poetry, film, theater, or artwork.
CONTINUED FROM MEDIA SPOKES PERSON TIPS
3. Transition: There’s no such thing as the “perfect” question. It’s your job as a spokesperson to transition, or “bridge,” from their question to your message. To help you do that, you can use a line such as, “The most important thing to remember is…” or, “Well, what we’re seeing here is….”
4. Don’t Make a New Friend: If you’re 20 minutes into your interview and things are going well, you might think to yourself, “Wow. This isn’t hard at all!” The moment you get comfortable and start thinking the reporter is your friend, you’re going to venture away from your message and make a mistake. The journalist may legitimately be friendly – but she’s not your friend.
5. Speak Everyday English: You may think you sound more credible if you speak with big, jargon-filled words. You won’t – those words just erect a barrier between you and the audience. When speaking with general audiences, use words a bright 12-year-old would understand. You’re aiming for the language of USA Today, not the Wall Street Journal.
6. Don’t Bury Your Lead: When answering a question, don’t lead up to your conclusion. Give the most interesting part of your answer, or your “lead,” first. If you have additional time, you can go back and provide more context – but if you don’t start with your lead, the reporter may cut you off before you get a chance to state it at all.
7. Be Your Most Engaging Self: This sounds like clichéd advice, but it’s not. Most new spokespersons think they have to bury their most engaging traits in order to come across looking like an “official” or “credible” spokesperson. They usually just look boring instead. Be your passionate self. Gesture. Convey warmth and smile when appropriate.
8. Speak 10 Percent Louder Than Usual: If you go on television and speak at your usual volume, you will probably sound monotone (this doesn’t apply to professional wrestlers or other unusually loud people). For most of us, TV has a “muting” effect, meaning you have to speak a bit louder just to sound like you usually do. Plus, the boost of volume usually helps animate your body language.
9. Watch Your Tone: If you feel defensive, you will look defensive. Instead of greeting tough questions with panic, welcome them as opportunities to correct the record. Even if you don’t have a perfect answer, the audience will be more inclined to believe a response from an un-defensive spokesperson.
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