Storytelling for Change

Awareness & Understanding

Stories change minds in ways that statistics alone never do. Start by watching two short TED Talks on YouTube: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "The Danger of a Single Story" and Dave Isay's talk about StoryCorps. Then listen to one episode of the "This Is Actually Happening" podcast or browse StoryCorps at storycorps.org to hear how ordinary people tell powerful personal stories. Pay attention to structure: how does the storyteller pull you in? What moment made you feel something? Take notes on at least three specific techniques you notice. You're ready for the next step when you can name three storytelling techniques and give an example of each from something you watched or heard.

Research & Investigation

Pick a cause or community issue you care about — something happening in Salt Lake City, on the Wasatch Front, or in your own neighborhood. Find three real stories connected to that issue: one from a news source (try the Salt Lake Tribune or KSL Newsradio), one from a personal interview (ask a family member, neighbor, or community member), and one from a documentary or podcast. Map out how each story is structured — beginning, middle, end. Notice what details make each story feel real and specific rather than vague. You're ready for the next step when you can compare two of the three stories and explain which one is more persuasive and why.

Planning & Preparation

Now build your own story. Use the "story spine" framework: "Once there was... Every day... Until one day... Because of that... Until finally... Ever since then..." Draft a 300–500 word personal story connected to your cause. It should be specific — a real moment, a real place (your school, your block, a park along the Jordan River Parkway), real emotions. Then record yourself reading it out loud using your phone's voice memo app. Listen back and mark every place where you sped up, went flat, or said "um." Rewrite the weak spots. You're ready for the next step when you can tell your story out loud in under three minutes without reading word-for-word.

Taking Action

Share your story with a real audience. Options: read it at an open mic (check the Utah Arts Alliance at utaharts.org for local events), post a short video version on social media, pitch it to your school newspaper or literary magazine, or submit it to the Youth Radio Utah program. Before you share, get feedback from at least one person you trust — ask them specifically: "Where did you feel the most? Where did you lose interest?" Revise based on their input, then publish or perform. You're ready for the next step when your story has reached at least five people outside your immediate household and you've collected at least two pieces of specific feedback.

Leadership & Expansion

You know how to tell your own story — now help others tell theirs. Organize a story-sharing session with at least three other people: friends, classmates, or members of a community group. Use the StoryCorps conversation guide (free download at storycorps.org) to help people interview each other. Record the conversations with permission. Pick the strongest 60-second clip and edit it using the free app GarageBand (Mac/iOS) or Audacity (Windows/Mac, free at audacityteam.org). Share the finished piece publicly — a school bulletin board, a community Facebook group, or a local organization's newsletter. You're ready for the next step when you've facilitated at least one story session and produced one edited audio or video piece.

Impact & Reflection

Reflect on your six weeks as a storyteller. Write a two-page response: What was the hardest part of telling your own story? What did you learn from helping others tell theirs? Find one concrete measure of impact — how many people heard your story, what comments you received, or whether your piece sparked a conversation. Then map out your next story: what issue, whose voice, what format. Share your reflection and your next story plan with your SLCTrips mentor. You're ready for the next step when you can articulate what makes storytelling a tool for change — not just entertainment — and name your next creative project.