Terminology of the Storytelling Boom
Journalism | Media | Communications | Literature | Narrative
The terminology of the storytelling boom is interdisciplinary.
The storytelling boom is firmly located within communications practice — but the study of stories is firmly located within literature studies: those who produce stories typically use language from Journalism, Media & Communications studies, and those who study stories typically use language from Literature & Narrative studies.
However — some words are shared across both disciplines, but are used differently. As a rule of thumb:
People who study stories are most interested in the text itself.
People who produce stories are most interested in the opinions expressed in the texts.
This list is intended to support communication between those who study and those who produce stories by providing simplified explanations of terms — related to ethical storytelling in the storytelling boom — introduced by one discipline, or terms that are used differently by each discipline (indicated with *).
For more shared language of the narrative ecosystem of the storytelling boom, see The Narrative Home. For more specific definitions, consider: The Living Handbook of Narratology, The Living Glossary of Digital Narrative, The Encyclopedia of Ludic Terms and The Narrative Directory.
Journalism, Media & Communications
Ethical storytelling
Impact storytelling
Narrative change
Strategic storytelling
(“Strategic storytelling”).
The practice of impact storytelling — by a nonprofit, NGO or social change organization — without causing harm. Usually, this topic refers either to harm caused by perpetuating stereotypes within the text of the story, or harm caused by the story production or telling process.
Stories told by a nonprofit, NGO or social change organization to describe the human impact of that organization’s work.
(“Strategic storytelling” or “impact storytelling”.)
The work of persuading public opinion on a social issue.
(“Strategic storytelling” or “impact storytelling”).
(“Interviewee”, “participant” or “beneficiary”).
The work of persuading public opinion on a social issue.
Literature & Narrative
Corporate storytelling
Instrumentalized storytelling
Organizational storytelling
Protagonist
Stories narrated by a corporation.
(“Instrumentalized storytelling”).
Personal stories that are used by an organization or corporation as an instrument — usually of a strategic campaign.
Stories narrated by an organization.