From Iowa State U: Using narratives and storytelling to communicate science with nonexpert audiences

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Sep 15. pii: 201320645. [Epub ahead of print]

Using narratives and storytelling to communicate science with nonexpert audiences.

Dahlstrom MF.

Author information

• Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010 mfd@iastate.edu.

Abstract

Although storytelling often has negative connotations within science, narrative formats of communication should not be disregarded when communicating science to nonexpert audiences. Narratives offer increased comprehension, interest, and engagement. Nonexperts get most of their science information from mass media content, which is itself already biased toward narrative formats. Narratives are also intrinsically persuasive, which offers science communicators tactics for persuading otherwise resistant audiences, although such use also raises ethical considerations. Future intersections of narrative research with ongoing discussions in science communication are introduced.