Storytelling for Public Health

About this course

This course introduces storytelling as an effective communication tool in public health practice. After reviewing story structures, learners will review public health stories in multiple formats and outline their own story using a storyboard.

Do you have a great idea, data, or experience to share but can’t seem to reach your intended audience? Create a story to match your communication goal, audience, delivery options. In this course you will learn the elements of story and become familiar with two formats that you can use to frame your story. After reviewing real public health examples in a variety for formats, try outlining your own story using a storyboard.

What you’ll learn

After completing this course, you will be able to…

  • Briefly describe the history of storytelling
  • Explain why story is an effective means of communication
  • Define the subject, audience, goal, and delivery format options for a story
  • Define the elements of a story: hook, inciting incident, protagonist, antagonist, tension, climax and conclusion
  • Explain two story formats: Story Mountain and the Journey Curve
  • Describe how a storyboard is used to outline a story
  • List questions to ask yourself when creating your title
  • List ethical consideration of storytelling
  • Outline a story in storyboard format