Storytelling isn’t just for writers, speakers, or CEOs—it’s for all of us. Whether you’re leading a team, giving a presentation, teaching a class, pitching an idea, or just trying to make your message stick, the ability to tell a clear, compelling story is a game-changer.
The good news? You don’t have to be a natural storyteller. You just need the right frameworks. Here are a few proven storytelling structures you can use in almost any situation.
The SCQA Framework
SCQA is Situation → Complication → Question → Answer.
You start with the Situation to ground everyone, then add a Complication that brings tension.
Next comes the Question that shows what’s missing, and finally the Answer that fixes it.
It’s great for presentations, essays, business plans, even tricky conversations because it puts the problem front, then the solution.
💡 Tip: if you’re short on time, say the Answer first, then walk back through Question, Complication and Situation to keep things clear.
The ABT Framework
ABT is just three beats: And → But → Therefore.
And tells what’s normal, But drops a problem, Therefore gives the fix.
Because it’s short, it works for elevator pitches, quick emails, or fast talks where people only have a few seconds.
💡 Tip: try to keep the whole thing under 30 seconds; the rhythm works best when it’s snappy.
The 3‑Act Structure
From ancient Greek drama, the 3‑Act Structure goes Setup → Confrontation → Resolution.
The Setup introduces who, where, what’s at stake.
The Confrontation cranks up the conflict.
The Resolution ends the story and pulls out the lesson.
You’ll see it in speeches, personal stories, training sessions – it makes the audience feel a full ride.
💡 Tip: finish with a clear takeaway that tells the audience what to do next.
Monroe’s Motivated Sequence
Monroe’s five‑step plan is Attention → Need → Satisfaction → Visualization → Action.
First grab the crowd (Attention), then point out the problem (Need).
Offer a fix (Satisfaction), picture a bright future (Visualization), and finally tell them what to do (Action).
It’s super good for making people want to change, for rallying supporters, or for pushing policy ideas.
💡 Tip: spend most of your time on Need and Visualization – they are the emotional engines that push people forward.
Why This Matters
Everyone talks all the time, so every chat can become a chance to shape how people see things.
Using these six structures turns vague thoughts into clear, strong, doable messages.
It shows that storytelling isn’t a magic gift; it’s a skill you can practice.
Whether you run a team, teach a class, sell an idea, or just try to convince a friend, a solid story shape helps you lead and influence.
Learn the Golden Circle, STARR, SCQA, ABT, 3‑Act, and Monroe’s sequence.
Pick one, use it on purpose, and watch how your talking gets clearer and more persuasive.
