Written by: Vickie Sullivan  |  July 30, 2019

When to Tell a Story About Something Awful

During a recent a panel discussion about online harassment of female journalists, I heard several incidents of specific threats that were pretty frightening. Talk about the strategic use of stories.

This begs the question: When do you tell a story about something horrible that’s happened to you? Here are two scenarios when gut-wrenching stories work effectively: 

• To create a distinction. One story depicted a conversation in the newsroom comparing online comments between male and female journalists. Reading some of those made a great point between harsh criticism (“You are an idiot who can’t think straight”) and a threat (“I know where your kids go to school.”). It also explained why male journalists didn’t understand their female counterparts’ reactions. Using direct quotes is an effective way to describe the differences.

Listen: How to Tell a Horror Story Without Coming Off Like a Victim

• To understand an opposing view. The previous example went one step further; it also explained men’s assumption about harassment as a possible reason behind their lack of awareness of what’s really going on. Using stories to point out easy-to-have assumptions and reasoning heads off judgment at the pass without preaching.

As a speaker, many of us are sensitive to “bringing down the audience” with these kinds of stories. But when used strategically, horror stories can be a great tool.

Now Read This:

• Let’s Get Personal: Why You Should Share Stories About Yourself
• Strategic Sounding Boards Give Real-World Advice for When the Rubber Meets the Road