What is the role of storytelling in communication?

Storytelling plays a vital role in communication by facilitating emotional connections and enhancing message retention among audiences. When information is conveyed through stories, it often resonates more deeply because it taps into emotions, experiences, and human relatability. This emotional engagement helps listeners to remember the content more effectively than if it were presented as a list of dry facts or data.

Additionally, storytelling can help to illustrate complex ideas in a more accessible way, allowing the audience to relate to the subject matter on a personal level. The narrative structure of a story—featuring characters, conflicts, resolutions, and relatable themes—creates a framework that guides the audience through the message. This makes it easier to digest and recall, especially in learning contexts or persuasive communications.

While aspects such as entertaining the audience, presenting facts, or summarizing key points can serve important functions in communication, these are often secondary to the core strength of storytelling: its ability to foster connection and enhance memory through emotional engagement.