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Given the choice between trivial material brilliantly told versus profound material badly told, an audience will always choose the trivial told brilliantly.
Robert Mckee
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Audiences often prefer entertaining stories over profound messages if the latter is poorly presented.

This quote by Robert McKee highlights the importance of storytelling and presentation in communication. It suggests that even the most profound ideas can be overlooked if they are not shared in an engaging and captivating manner, while superficial topics can capture an audience's attention when delivered with skill and flair.

Themes

StorytellingPresentationAudienceEngagementCommunication

In practice

Example use cases

During a workshop on effective communication, this quote can be used to stress the importance of presentation skills.

More from Robert Mckee

All writing is discipline, but screenwriting is a drill sergeant.
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Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact.
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Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today.
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Good story' means something worth telling that the world wants to hear. Finding this is your lonely task...But the love of a good story, of terrific characters and a world driven by your passion, courage, and creative gifts is still not enough. Your goal must be a good story well told.
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Anxious, inexperienced writers obey rules. Rebellious, unschooled writers break rules. Artists master the form.
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We rarely know where we are going; writing is a discovery.
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