Communication Archives

What Are the Elements of a Narrative? The 4 Ingredients

What are the elements of a narrative? What story ingredients do our brains expect to find? Writer and producer Lisa Cron contends that humans require stories to engage our brains in the way our brains process information. She believes that we developed certain expectations for narratives. So, if a writer wants to engage readers’ brains, they must provide these expected elements. Keep reading to learn what these essential ingredients are and why they meet readers’ cravings.

Value Creation in Negotiation: 4 Steps to Getting What You Want

What’s value creation in negotiation? Why is value important for both parties? When negotiating, your goal should be to get the best possible deal for yourself while strengthening your relationship with the other party. To achieve a good deal and a stronger relationship, you must not only claim but create value. Keep reading to learn more about value creation in negotiation, according to Deepak Malhotra and Max H. Bazerman’s book Negotiation Genius.

Details in a Story: How Much Can the Reader’s Brain Handle?

Do you confuse your readers by adding too much detail or the wrong kind of detail? What should you include, and what should you leave out? Lisa Cron discusses how to use details in a story, explaining that details should be concrete rather than abstract—and enough but not too much. Cron shares her advice on how to use details to enhance your plot rather than distract from it, explaining that your protagonist helps you determine what to include. Continue reading to learn how to strike the right balance when it comes to using details in a story.

How to Have a Good Conversation: 3 Principles to Follow

Why should you give your full attention while someone is talking to you? What are the basic principles of having a good conversation? Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott explains that your behavior, body language, tone, and communication style are critical to courageous conversations. Scott discusses three principles to follow that will establish mutual trust and understanding with the other person(s) so you can have an effective courageous conversation. Let’s dive into how to have a good conversation.

How to Tell if Someone Is Angry: Body Language to Look For

Can you tell when someone is angry? What angry body language cue can lead to health problems? Retired FBI Special Agent Joe Navarro covers a variety of emotions that you can detect in other people by reading their subtle behaviors. In The Dictionary of Body Language, he describes two angry body language cues to look for. Read more to learn how to tell if someone is angry by reading their body language.

Negotiation Genius: Book Overview and Takeaways

What’s the book Negotiation Genius about? Are you ready to be an expert negotiator who gets the best deals? In Negotiation Genius, Deepak Malhotra and Max H. Bazerman give advice to prepare, create value, and maximize satisfaction in your negotiations. They also look at common obstacles you might face and explore ways to avoid them or use them to your advantage. Read below for a brief Negotiation Genius book overview.

The Element of Conflict in a Narrative: The Driver of Change

What’s any story really about—regardless of its plot? What function does conflict serve in a narrative? Writer Lisa Cron contends that stories are about how we, rather than the world around us, change. That change is driven by conflict. Humans are wired to resist both conflict and change. But, ultimately, we know that this is how anything moves forward. Keep reading to learn about the element of conflict in a narrative.

How to Tell if Someone Is Uncomfortable: 3 Body Language Cues

What are some common uncomfortable body language cues? What might you be able to tell by observing their arms and feet? Joe Navarro, a retired FBI Special Agent, is no stranger to people feeling uncomfortable around him. Over time, he realized that certain subtle behaviors pointed to uneasiness. In The Dictionary of Body Language, he shares three cues for identifying discomfort in somebody’s body language. Keep reading to learn how to tell if someone is uncomfortable by observing their actions.

Fierce Conversation Quotes on Beneficial Discussions

Do you want to talk about your thoughts and feelings more? What are the top Fierce Conversations quotes that stick in your head? Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott is a guide to having effective dialogue at work or in your personal life. After reading this book, you’ll have all the skills you need to solve issues and achieve happiness in life. Continue reading for the best Fierce Conversations quotes to remember.

Cause and Effect in a Story: Satisfying Our Need to Know Why

How does a well-written story fill our need to understand the reasons behind everything? What does “Show, don’t tell” mean for writers? In Wired for Story, Lisa Cron argues that our brains evolved to absorb information through stories. So, writers must write in a way that satisfies our brains’ expectations of story. This includes creating causal links that appeal to the brain’s need for cause-and-effect structure. Continue reading to learn about the need for cause and effect in a story and how to achieve it.