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All of these questions can be answered by using our story writing worksheet. It is based on the well-known three-act structure often used in storytelling for movies, novels, and plays. These three acts are setup, confrontation, and resolution. Each of these acts serves a specific purpose and helps to structure your narrative. This keeps your learners interested and invested throughout the whole story.
Before you start using the worksheet, download the worksheet first here or use our interactive version in Miro
We recommend using the worksheet in a workshop with subject matter experts and a facilitator. The worksheet is divided into three parts, which can be covered in either one or multiple sessions.
Materials you may need for this workshop include:
Watch this webinar to learn more on how to use our worksheet:
In order to help you using the worksheet we have this glossary with all of the terminology that we use.
Training topic — A training topic is a topic, concept, skill, or practice that is the focus of training. Examples include customer service, safety, and leadership. It is the main point of discussion or instruction in a training session.
Learning goal— A learning goal is a goal set to acquire knowledge and develop skills. It typically includes a clear statement of what a learner should be able to do after completing a course, program, or other educational experience. Learning goals are often aligned with specific outcomes and objectives.
Target audience — A target audience is a specific group of people identified as the learners of the training. This is typically defined by occupation, education level, or work location (e.g. all engineers, all new employees, safety staff working in this building, etc.).
Business impact — A business impact is a positive or negative effect that this training has on a company’s overall performance. The impact of training on the business can be assessed in terms of speed of training, cost savings, increased employee engagement, and improved employee morale. Training can have a direct or indirect impact on the business, depending on the type of training and its relevance to the organization’s goals and objectives. An effective training program should focus on improving the skills and abilities of the employees, while also contributing to the success of the business.
Main character — The main character is the central figure or protagonist in a story, that drives the plot forward. Who is this person? What is the occupation of this character?
Goal of character — The main character of a story typically has a goal to provide the story with direction and conflict. Giving the main character a goal creates an obstacle for them to overcome and provides a sense of motivation and purpose. This is often a different goal than the central obstacle of the story. For example, for a story about a fire in a building, you could use the goal: ‘being on time for an appointment with a colleague.’ On the way there, the main character can encounter fire.
Other characters — A story with other characters allows creators to give needed information to the learner and experience a variety of characteristics and emotions. Multiple characters can also create tension and conflict, which can make the story more exciting and give it greater depth and complexity. Are there any other characters in this story? Who are they? What do they want or need? Examples include a colleague, manager, student, ally, enemy, narrator, etc.
Obstacles — An obstacle in a story is any challenge or difficulty that the main character must overcome in order to reach a goal. This can be an external obstacle, such as an event, character, or force that opposes the main character in the story. Obstacles are essential to creating a compelling narrative. Examples of obstacles are:
Outcomes — The outcomes of a story can vary greatly depending on the training topic, target audience, and story elements. A successful outcome can be the main character overcoming a challenge or obstacle. A failed outcome can be a customer who becomes more upset or walks out of the store, a machine that breaks down or a fire that cannot be extinguished, an angry manager or colleague, or someone who has an accident. Think of the real consequences of any decision as inspiration. How can this story end? What does the main character learn from the outcomes? What has changed after the outcome? Generally, stories aim to provide a resolution or ending that is satisfying for the main character when they have overcome all the obstacles. A failed ending should have an impact on the main character to make them think about the decision made. There doesn't need to be only one successful and one failed ending. Create as many as you see fit to your situation. The more outcomes, the more the players learn.
Setup — The setup of a story typically includes the introduction of the characters, the setting, and the first objective, conflict, or challenge that the main character will face. This should give the main character enough information to get started and answer questions like: Where am I? Who am I? What is expected from me? Who are the others? And what is my relationship with them? Is there anyone who guides me?
Catalyst — A catalyst is an event or character that sets off a series of events that propel the story forward. Examples include a sounding fire alarm, a machine that gets a defect, or an angry customer who walks in. It is the spark that starts the story and leads to the eventual resolution. What happens that makes the main character take action? Why do they care about this?
Rising action — The rising action is the part of the story following the catalyst, in which the main character faces increasing obstacles and higher stakes. This part of the story typically builds suspense and tension, as the main character seeks to overcome the challenges standing in their way. Ideally, each obstacle gets a little harder to deal with.
Climax — The climax is the most exciting moment where the main character must confront the challenge he or she has been facing throughout the story. This is the moment when the built-up tension reaches a breaking point. The climax has greater intensity and more suspense than any other moment in a story. It will happen close to the end of the story. And a climax should be satisfying with the conflict resolved and the main question answered.
Solution — The solution of a story is the part of the story when the main character and other characters have achieved their goals and have found a resolution to the conflict. All the obstacles are solved and they lived happily ever after.
