profile

TalkXpertise is about all things related to "short talk" messaging.

UNVEILING THE 6 SHAPES OF STORY (Decoding Kurt Vonnegut’s Narrative Arcs)

Published over 1 year agoΒ β€’Β 3 min read

From ancient myths to modern blockbusters, stories have the power to connect and compel with audiences.

But beneath the surface of every narrative lies a hidden structure β€” a design that gives shape to the audience’s emotional arc.

In the early 1980s, while in graduate school, Kurt Vonnegut proposed that the simple shapes of stories could be fed into computers.

At first, his professors scoffed; his master's thesis was rejected. But decades later, his theory was revived by mathematicians and computer scientists who began mapping narrative patterns.

In recent years, researchers at the University of Vermont and the University of Adelaide used sophisticated computing power and natural language processing (early AI-solutioning, c.2016) to analyze nearly 2,000 works of fiction.

Using sentiment analysis, they examined the emotional trajectory of each story and discovered overlap between plot points and emotional highs and lows. These findings indicated a strong correlation between narrative structure and emotional arc. Then they classified each into 6 core types of narratives based on the protagonist's journey.

1) MAN IN A HOLE
The Man in a Hole archetype traces the journey of a character who experiences a sudden reversal of fortune, only to claw their way back to redemption. (Shape: Fall then Rise)
2) RAGS TO RICHES
This classic archetype follows the journey of a character who starts from humble beginnings and achieves success against all odds. (Shape: Rise)
3) RICHES TO RAGS
In contrast to the Rags to Riches narrative, Riches to Rags stories explore the downfall of a once-prosperous protagonist. (Shape: Fall)
4) ICARUS
Named after the Greek myth of Icarus, this narrative arc follows a character whose ambition leads to their downfall. (Shape: Rise then Fall)
5) CINDERELLA
The Cinderella archetype is characterized by a rise, fall, and eventual rise to glory. (Shape: Rise then Fall then Rise)
6) OEDIPUS
Named after the tragic hero of Greek mythology, the Oedipus narrative arc follows a character whose rise to fortune is followed by a precipitous fall. (Shape: Fall then Rise then Fall)

In the end, the researchers affirmed Vonnegut's creative assertions (short video here; article here) and underscored the enduring appeal of certain narrative structures.

In fact, even today his β€œMan in a Hole” archetype dominates TED Talk stages in the form of the STICKY Storiesβ„’ framework.

From the ancient myths to the digital narratives of TED stages, these archetypal patterns remind us of the timeless potential of storytelling to connect and compel.

Credits: 6 shape designs: CraftYourContent.com; Vonnegut portrait: Yousuf Karsh (c) 1990.

​

DEVIN D. MARKS is known as The TED Talk Whisperer. His firm, CONNECT to COMPEL, has served 100s of TED, TEDx, and TED-Style speakers. The result: 100s of millions of views. His team helps leaders, just like you, catalyze ideas.

Let the world LIVE your message!β„’

You can reach Devin at 617.804.6020, or DM him here.

Do you find this newsletter of value? If so, please share it with a friend who you think may benefit from it. Just share this link:https://ConnectToCompel.com/resources​

INTRODUCING: *Live* STICKY Storiesβ„’ Training!

Stories are memorable. But to spread they need something more.

They also need to be designed to be uber-shareable and -repeatable.

I call these β€œsticky” stories.

To help people spread their ideas I’ve developed the STICKY Storiesβ„’ training.

The approach is based on my years coaching the very best of TED Talk speakers in storytelling.

The 6-part STICKY acronym is the basis of my method. It is the very model that can help you spread your stories from stage or screen β€” like the best TEDsters.

Starting April 24th, I will be guiding a select cohort through this potent framework in a LIVE Zoom format. Click here to apply before next week and you'll realize a 55% discount ($1,100 savings).

Let’s work together to improve your everyday storytelling with the very best of TEDster tools!

Short TEDster Insights

Here's a quick video that unpacks TED best practices for memorization:

Memorize Better: What Are The Tips For Public Speaking?

video preview​

Become a TED-Level Presenter!

When you're ready to take center stage (or center screen), let me know. Whether you're working on a TED Talk or a commencement address; an all-hands preso or a keynote, you will want to be:

[ βœ”] 5Fold-Focused
[ βœ”] Story-Wrapped
[ βœ”] Action-Igniting

Those 3 priorities are what make the Marks Messaging Method so very, very connecting and compelling.

To begin a conversation, click here:

Let the world LIVE your message!β„’

​

​Unsubscribe | Update your profile​
​24 School Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02108​

TalkXpertise is about all things related to "short talk" messaging.

...π‘“π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘š π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘€π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘™π‘‘β€™π‘  1𝑠𝑑 (π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ #1) 𝑇𝐸𝐷-𝑠𝑑𝑦𝑙𝑒 π‘π‘œπ‘Žπ‘β„Ž!.

πŸ”΄ 50M+ views on TED.com for 1 client sparked global influence. I’ve helped 100s of coaches, authors, experts (just like you) spread BIG 7-figure ideas. LET THE WORLD LIVE YOUR MESSAGEβ„’ ** DISCLAIMER: 𝑇𝐸𝐷 π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ 𝑇𝐸𝐷π‘₯ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘”π‘–π‘ π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘‘ π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘šπ‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘˜π‘  π‘œπ‘“ 𝑇𝐸𝐷 πΆπ‘œπ‘›π‘“π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘›π‘π‘’π‘  𝐿𝐿𝐢. π‘Šπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘› 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑑 π‘π‘œπ‘Žπ‘β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘” 𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘”π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘šπ‘  π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘›π‘œπ‘‘ π‘Žπ‘“π‘“π‘–π‘™π‘–π‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘‘ π‘€π‘–π‘‘β„Ž, π‘ π‘π‘œπ‘›π‘ π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘‘ 𝑏𝑦 π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘ π‘’π‘‘ 𝑏𝑦 𝑇𝐸𝐷 𝑖𝑛 π‘Žπ‘›π‘¦ π‘€π‘Žπ‘¦.

Read more from TalkXpertise is about all things related to "short talk" messaging.

THE "Good Life Talk" AT TEN What One Small-Stage Talk Taught the World Ten years ago today, a quiet YouTube upload slipped into the world. November 17, 2015.A middle-school auditorium.Boston's TEDxBeaconStreet event.A Harvard psychiatrist with 1 worthy idea: The good life is built with good relationships. No PR wave.No speaker bureau.No runway of anticipation.Just an 80-year research project, a clearly focused TEDxBeaconStreet, November 2015 message, and a speaker willing to tell an unlikely...

about 1 month agoΒ β€’Β 3 min read

The TalkXpertise Newsletter** New name. New schedule. New graphical design. Same industry-defining advice. What gives? Let's call it a celebration! Just over a decade ago, I was the 1st in the world to launch an online "TED-style" speaker business. I even coined the term. Go figure. (More about that follows.) In that time, the "short talk" industry (arguably a niche I founded) has exploded β€” with alumni TED and TEDx speakers (or volunteer staffers) hanging out their coaching shingles. This...

about 1 month agoΒ β€’Β 7 min read

Reader: You’ve been seeing my emails and LinkedIn posts about TEDx lately. That's because this is *the* TEDster season. The season to pause. Dream bigger.Take action! And to finally give yourself the gift of a powerful growth and career catalyzing experience. You see, after the summer family vacation, I’ll be turning my focus to the many-month side of summiting what I call "The Mount Everest of Idea-Spreading" β€” helping thought leaders land and deliver top-tier TED Talks. Over the course of...

5 months agoΒ β€’Β 2 min read