One of our worst traits in journalism is that when we have a narrative in our minds, we often plug in anecdotes that confirm it. Thus we managed to portray President Gerald Ford, a first-rate athlete, as a klutz.
Nicholas KristofRead
Individual storytelling is incredibly powerful. We as journalists know intuitively what scientists of the brain are discovering through brain scans, which is that emotional stories tend to open the portals, and that once there's a connection made, people are more open to rational arguments.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Storytelling connects emotions and reasoning, enhancing understanding and persuasion.
In this quote, Nicholas Kristof highlights the significance of individual storytelling in journalism, emphasizing that emotional narratives can forge connections between people. He points out that brain science supports this notion, revealing that when emotional connections are established through storytelling, individuals become more receptive to logical arguments, thus facilitating deeper understanding and communication.
Themes
StorytellingEmotionConnectionJournalismPersuasion
In practice
Example use cases
A journalist could use this quote in a workshop about the importance of narrative in reporting.
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