Story Theory

10. Have a punch line

    A punch line is a line that sums up your story in a powerful way. It's a way of letting the listener know that the story is over. It doesn't have to be funny, though in many stories used in the field it will be.

Examples:
- "That's the last time I take THAT dog to the beach!"
- "From now on I'm asking to see girls' ID's!"
- "That was the day I learned the true meaning of courage."

Short Example Story:

The Girls at Burning Man are fucking CRAZY! So I met this girl at dinner and we really hit it off. We spent the whole evening together and she was great, but something seemed a little off. Anyway, she finally takes me back to her tent and it's really romantic and everything, then afterwards we fall asleep in each others' arms. In the morning I kissed her on her forehead, but she didn't wake up. So I left and went to my own tent, which was like 20 yards away, figuring I'd see her at breakfast. But she's not at breakfast. And she's not at lunch. And she's not at dinner. Finally after dinner, I see her across the space and she comes right over to me with this weird look on her face. She puts her hand on my chest, looks deep into my eyes and says, "Oh my God, you're so hot, I HAVE to meet you."
I looked at her and said, "Sarah, it's ME."
Then she gets this really weird look on her face and says, "How did you know my NAME?!"

1. Story material- Burning Man, Romance, Sex.

2. Be succinct.

3. Lead in- "The Girls at Burning Man are fucking CRAZY!." I'd say this animated and playfully, like there's a story coming.

4. Initial hook- Crazy girls at Burning Man.

5. Unanswered questions:
   - What is Burning Man?
   - What's Burning Man like?
   - Are chicks always so attracted to you?
   - What's wrong with this girl?
   - What happened next with this girl?

6. Allude, don't state directly. Much more effective than saying "Hey, chicks dig me."

7. Subcommunication- Audience dependant.

8. Convey personality traits:
   - I'm sexually open
   - I'm adventurous
   - I take things in stride
   - I'm cool with weird and unusual people and situations

9. Have a punch line: "How did you know my NAME?!"

10. Tonality: I use a wide range on tonality telling this story.

Game on-

By Wilder