Storytelling Captivates Youth: Gen Z Eager to Learn Life Story Narration Skills

SLO – The “Storytelling – River of Life and Writing Techniques” training course kicked off successfully on May 28, 2024, at 7:30 PM on Microsoft Teams, with 20 students from the Research Together Program and candidates for the StoryTeller contest: Portraits of Outdoor Workers organized by the SocialLife Institute.

The “Storytelling – River of Life and Writing Techniques” training course.

The first session was directly instructed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Loc, Director of the Institute for Social Life Research. Participants were introduced to an overview of storytelling, life stories, and the history of biographical research from Socrates to modern schools of thought. The methodology of life history research was discussed, emphasizing the contributions of the Chicago School and the anthropologist Oscar Lewis, along with the emergence of personal and family history research trends. The practical part focused on life history interview techniques, covering conditions, procedures, ethical principles, narrative dimensions, and effective interviewing techniques.

In subsequent sessions, the training course provided valuable knowledge and experiences. The content focused on “Collecting Data to Build Stories,” guiding students on methods and skills such as observation, journaling using field diary methods, in-depth interviews, group discussions, idea generation, and content development. The instructor also introduced the application of “River of Life” in qualitative research. Additionally, participants were equipped with knowledge on “Techniques for Presenting Compelling Stories,” including a structure-building process that covers character introduction, setting, conflict creation, tension development, climax, and conclusion with inspiring messages. Participants also practiced selecting perspectives, narrative voices, and story paths. Moreover, they had the opportunity to share their own story ideas, discuss them, and receive feedback to refine the content and presentation techniques. Helpful suggestions enhanced the depth and appeal of the stories. The program plans to invite Photovoice experts to provide further guidance to the participants.

After the first session of the training course, the participants enthusiastically shared their newly acquired storytelling knowledge and skills. They expressed their eagerness to practice these skills in the near future to write stories about resilient outdoor workers, inspiring society with their perseverance and remarkable coping abilities in the context of severe climate change currently affecting Vietnam.

SocialLife Institute