All About LXD: How do you Design a Great Story?

The art of storytelling has contributed to human connection since almost the beginning of time. Storytelling can take a boring topic and transform it into a captivating narrative. There’s no one way to craft a story – just look at the abundance of books, shows, and movies that exist. But through these new stories, there is also an opportunity for learning. 

In the Beginning…

According to the National Storytelling Network, storytelling can be defined as: 

“The interactive art of using words and actions to reveal the elements and images of a story while encouraging the listener’s imagination.”  (National Storytelling Network)

When you really think about it, what’s fascinating about that definition is that every listener will be encouraged by the same story in a different way. Because of this, stories are an incredible way to not only engage, but also teach. 

Stories have a cognitive benefit. Human beings have always loved stories, so sharing content in the form of a story is a great way to engage learners. They are more likely to relate to the topic and retain the information better. Designers can more easily frame their learning content, allowing learners to better understand complex topics. These associations between content and story are important to committing the information to long-term memory.  

While storytelling is a powerful tool, it also has its drawbacks. Stories can impact an LXD’s credibility. If they get so wrapped up in the story itself, they can lose track of the objectives. Objectives should always be the first goal when designing learning content. Stories should be used to enhance these objectives, rather than replace them. 

Not Every Good Story Starts with Once Upon a Time 

There are a number of strategies to draw on personal or other stories when designing learning. These strategies can be used to improve even the dullest of topics. 

The most obvious example is within the narrative of the course itself. Weaving a topic into a well-crafted story is the best way to bring excitement to any topic. Whether the story is personal, or about an event or public figure, a story can provide a general starting point for the audience. 

Data storytelling on the other hand, uses visualizations and words to transform numbers into a clear narrative. Data storytelling requires a different skillset, but could be a major benefit to learning content that contains a plethora of facts and figures. Similar to data storytelling is the use of graphics or multimedia, such as videos or animations. In today’s world, most content is visual. LXDs can craft a story visually, and tie those images to a powerful message.

And They Lived Happily Ever After

While crafting a compelling narrative may seem like a daunting prospect, anyone can be a great storyteller. If you’re interested in adding storytelling to your learning, there are a few simple strategies to help you get started. Research the work of speakers you enjoy. Watch speeches, but also read, or follow journalists. Great storytellers are everywhere, and you never know where an idea will spark. 

Then focus on finding your own authentic voice. What do you like? What are your beliefs? What do you most want to share about your content? Being authentic is essential to captivating learners. Lastly, once you’re comfortable with storytelling, play around with using different story structures to help expand your practice.  

The End

Storytelling is a powerful form of communication that can be used in a variety of scenarios or with any number of topics. So, get creative. Use the stories you have, and the ones that inspire you to think about learning content in a brand-new way. 

Check back soon to learn more about all things LXD!

*Originally published 10/03/25 (Eleven Peppers Studios blog).