Communication Archives

Five Elements of a Story That Provide & Intensify Meaning

What quality is a must for your protagonist? What’s “subversion of expectation”? How can you create a story that involves high stakes? Screenwriter and storytelling expert Robert McKee says that humans are obsessed with stories because they fill a core human need: We need to find meaning—truth about the world that influences how we live our lives. The best stories are rich in meaning. Read more to learn the five elements of a story that provide and intensify meaning.

6 Ways to Promote Autonomy in Early Childhood

Want to know some techniques for promoting autonomy in early childhood? Why is autonomy important for children? Educators Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish claim that fostering autonomy in early childhood is important for children to feel empowered and to create a stronger parent-child relationship. In How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, they offer six techniques to promote early childhood autonomy. Read on to learn Faber and Mazlish’s six techniques for encouraging autonomy in early childhood.

John Gottman’s 4 Steps to Escape a “Gridlock” in a Marriage

What exactly is “gridlock” in the context of a marriage? What are the signs that your relationship has gotten stuck in a gridlock? According to John Gottman, gridlock is the struggle to resolve an ongoing marital problem. In his book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work (along with co-author Nan Silver), Gottman explains that you can learn to live with an ongoing problem. But if you don’t, the problem will build up and grow into a gridlock. Here’s how to avoid getting into a gridlock and how to get out of it if you’re stuck.

Story: Substance, Structure, Style, & the Principles of Screenwriting

Why do people love stories? What’s story theory? What’s the difference between text and subtext? In Robert McKee’s book Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting, he discusses what makes a story good, the elements of a story, and how a story is structured. He also shares his recommended writing process. Here’s our overview of McKee’s guide for screenwriters, which covers fundamental principles that apply to any kind of storytelling.

How to Nurture a Healthy Self-Concept in Early Childhood

How can you help your child form a healthy self-concept in early childhood? Why is it important to challenge stereotypes? According to Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, the way you think about your children becomes the way they think about themselves. To foster a healthy self-concept in early childhood, they claim that you should challenge preconceived ideas, stereotypes, and labels about yourself and your children. Read on to learn how to help children form a positive self-concept in early childhood, according to Faber and Mazlish.

4 Robert McKee Quotes About Stories to Enlighten & Inspire You

Why do humans seek out stories? How do stories impact society? What does Robert McKee think would make life a lunatic asylum? Stories are mysterious. Like music, they have an emotional power over us that’s impossible to explain. However, in his book Story, screenwriter and storytelling expert Robert McKee argues that stories’ emotional power is not only explainable but also something you can learn to create. Keep reading for four Robert McKee quotes from Story that capture the essence of the book.

How to Encourage Positive Behavior in Kids (Without Punishment)

Want to know how to encourage positive behavior? Why doesn’t punishment work when disciplining children? To encourage positive behavior in children, educators Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish claim it’s important to learn how to communicate effectively as an alternative to punishment. In How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, they explain a few communication methods you can use to achieve this. Read on to learn how to encourage positive behavior in children, according to Faber and Mazlish.

Common Marriage Problems and How to Solve Them

What are the most common marital problems? How do you address an ongoing problem in a marriage? While every marriage is unique, there are several problems almost all married couples have in common. Most of these problems are solvable, but many couples drag them on for too long, making them a bigger deal than they have to be. Here’s a look at some of the most common marriage problems and potential solutions for each.

The Importance of Acknowledging Children’s Feelings

What’s the importance of acknowledging children’s feelings? How can you validate your child’s emotions? In How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, authors Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish claim that one key to communicating better with your children is acknowledging that you understand their feelings. They argue that even babies want adults to acknowledge how they feel. Read on to learn the importance of acknowledging children’s feelings, according to Faber and Mazlish.

How to Structure a Story: 4 Ways to Get Your Message Across

Do you have great ideas but struggle to communicate them effectively? How can critical thinking help you structure a story? The authors of Critical Thinking, Logic & Problem Solving explain how to give good presentations and effectively get your ideas across by using critical thinking. They advise you to use stories to persuade and inform your audience. Continue reading to learn how to structure a story by using critical thinking principles and techniques.