Introduction to Storytelling in Technical Writing

Storytelling can be used in presentations, books, academic writing, public policy and more. When implementing it in technical writing, it often serves as an anchor point for the audience. The use of story brings a familiar organizational pattern, which can help authors focus their information. Storytelling can also be the addition of an individual's experience in the text. This allows the audience to connect with the content personally, bringing a new perspective to the work. There is some dissent within the technical writing community around the role and reliability of this format. Since storytelling relates more to the human experience, it can be more variable than data. Rejecting storytelling can create a disconnect between the audience and the creator, resulting in less impactful and harder-to-understand content. This approach fails to see storytelling for what it is, a dynamic and sometimes ambiguous tool that creators can employ when beneficial. When used correctly, storytelling can create more well-rounded communication.