Introduction

Storytelling (or the story dialogue technique) was refined in Canada by Labonte and Featherstone (1997) but is actually a much older idea which builds on traditional, oral communication and learning techniques. Labonte developed the method as a means of recognising and respecting the expertise that people have in their own lives in relation to community development and health issues. The storytelling takes place in a supportive group setting, although it could be adapted for use in a one-to-one situation for those with less confidence. The process is structured so that valuable personal experiences are used to draw out important themes and issues affecting the community and then action can be planned around these insights.

Materials Used

Paper, pens, coloured cardboard, felt-tip pens.

Method

Storytelling uses a mixture of story and structured dialogue based on four types of question : "what?" (description), "why?" (explanation), "so what?" (synthesis), and "now what?" (action). Open questions are asked of the storyteller by the other members of the group (about six people) and this generates dialogue, but with a particular set of objectives in mind : to move from personal experience to more generalised knowledge (insights) and action. The whole process, once the story has been written, should not take longer than about 60-90 minutes. A skilled facilitator is central to this method.

• Introduction.

  The facilitator should spend some time explaining the process to the group and providing everyone with paper and pens. The facilitator must also keep a check on the timing of the different stages and move the group on appropriately.

• The story (5-10 mins).

  The storyteller has to spend time before the session writing their story. The story is based around their experience of a particular issue/theme and examples should include a description of the event and their feelings about what happened and how it affected them. While the story is being told, it is important for listeners not to interrupt, to note down details of the story and ideas for questions and to respect confidentiality.

• Reflection Circle (10 mins).

  The listeners then quickly jot down their immediate reflections on the story : how is this story also my story? ; how similar/different is the story to my experience? Then they share their reflections within the group, one at a time with no interruptions (people can opt to pass).

• Structured Dialogue (25-45 mins).

  This is not an interrogation of the storyteller and it is important to respect different views and to use active listening skills. Several people in the group should be asked to make notes of additional information gained during this dialogue. This part of the process is based around four types of question :

  • "what?" – description questions (What were the problems / issues / needs? Who identified them / how did they arise? What did you do? What were the successes / difficulties? How did it turn out?)
  • "why?" – explanation questions (Why do you think it happened? Why did you/they react as you/they did? Why did you do what you did (the strategies or actions)? Why do you think it worked/didn't work?)
  • "so what?" – synthesis questions (What have we learned? What remains confusing? How did people or relationships change? What unexpected outcomes occurred?)
  • "now what?" – action questions (What will we do differently next time? What will be our next set of actions? What are the key lessons? What power do we have to do things more effectively in the future and how can we increase this power?)

• Review Story Records (5 mins)

  Each person shares their notes with the group. If only one story is used, for example in problem solving, generating a written record of the dialogue may not be important : a discussion around the notes followed by more dialogue around the story may be enough. In other situations however, for example in research or planning, recording insights for further reflection is very important. In these uses, the group will be listening to and discussing two or more stories on the same theme in order to see which insights are similar or different, and creating Insight Cards.

• Create Insight Cards (15-20 mins)

  The group creates 2-4 Insight Cards for each of the four types of question, or about 8-16 Cards altogether. This is not a fixed number, and some questions will produce more insights than others. Insights could include useful lessons/tips or questions/challenges that are still left : the main thing is that they represent something important and worth sharing with others outside the story group. Each insight is written on a separate piece of coloured card and should include enough detail so that it is understandable to people outside the group. The Insight Cards from each story group can then be arranged into common themes.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Storytelling is an empowering process which values the unique personal experience of members of a community. However it is essential to maintain confidentiality since without this, storytellers may be unwilling to reveal in enough detail the nature of their experience. It is an especially powerful tool when several stories are told by members of a community around the same theme. In this way the insights generated can share much in common and produce a practical action plan which the whole community can commit to. The storytelling process may appeal more strongly to women than men.

Although the method should take about 60 - 90 minutes altogether, it can take longer than this if sensitive issues are raised which the group finds more difficult to discuss.

The Story Dialogue method involves considerable commitment from all those taking part, especially the storyteller, but can yield a wealth of local expertise and information which can then be taken forward and used to challenge issues which communities feel strongly about.