Introduction to Storytelling
ABOUT THE COURSE

Introduction to Storytelling is an online opportunity to be introduced to storytelling and how this can be used  as an effective practice to communicate one’s values as lived experiences.
It conveys practical tips on how to craft a story that can be used to inspire and motivate others into action. Anyone who wants to learn more about how to ‘craft’ a story can take this course and especially the ones who are engaged in leading, coordinating, or organising groups to take action. 
This course is based on the practical experiences created during the MSF Urban Spaces initiative, which ran from 2018-2021. The initiative has engaged 10 MSF entities in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe and has been implemented in 15 cities, with the main context and focus on the themes of migration, climate change and COVID-19 response. Through this, over 100 partnerships with civil society actors have been formed and over 10,000 individual citizens have been reached and engaged in solidarity action. Based on this experience, this course explores the power of stories when organising action with communities and engaging others into action.  


TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is for anyone who would like to be introduced to the art of storytelling as an effective practice to communicate one’s values as lived experiences. It conveys practical tips on how to craft a story that can inspire and motivate others into action. Everyone who wants to learn more on how to ‘craft’ a story can take this course and, especially, people who are engaged in leading, coordinating, and organising groups to take action.
 
This course addresses everyone within MSF (MSF members, volunteers, and staff) who is an organiser of action with communities and who also works with community engagement approaches.


LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completing this course, participants will be able to: 

  • explain the power of stories when organising community action 
  • identify the key elements of a powerful story, and
  • draft their own stories as engaging action tools.  


LIST OF CONTENTS

The course consists of four lessons. Each lesson builds on the previous one and gradually leads participants to a better understanding of what makes a good and engaging story and how to draft one.

Below you can find a brief summary of the content of each lesson:

  • lesson 1: participants are introduced to the topic and the idea of how the power of a story has the ability to connect with people on an emotional level. 
  • lessons 2 & 3: participants learn how to identify the key elements of a powerful story.
  • lesson 4: focuses on the actual drafting of a powerful story and shares practical tips on how to draft one’s own story.


TRAINING APPROACH

Introduction to Storytelling is a combination of videos with practical tips and samples of powerful stories, reflection exercises, and quizzes. 


EVALUATION

Assessment is conducted via a series of exercises in the form of true/false statements, and multiple choice exercises.


CERTIFICATION

Participants who have successfully completed all four lessons will be awarded a badge.