Stories that Move Mountains: Storytelling and Visual Design for Persuasive Presentations

Use the Visual Story Map

The CAST process and the Visual Story Map evolved together. We found there was a need to have a simple visual format to help remember the different activities, and to capture the key information and decisions about how to structure and design the story. The Visual Story Map has evolved into a simple table structure to make it easier to use in printed formats, and to recreate on whiteboards and flipcharts in workshops. You can download a template for the Visual Story Map from our website at www.storiesthatmovemountains.com or from the book's companion website at www.wiley.com/go/storiesthatmovemountains. We use the Visual Story Map in different ways, and we assume that you will as well.

We have found ourselves many times with a deadline looming and a mass of content, ideas, audience information, and partly completed materials. When you've learned the CAST process you will realize it is possible to just grab everything you have and lay it out on a large version of the Visual Story Map, then start to iterate.

On other occasions, we have had groups of people involved in the development of a story, sometimes with key members of the audience taking part. Often, we suggest starting with a brainstorming workshop, and involve everyone interested in the creation of the story. In the brainstorming session, a facilitator draws an empty Visual Story Map on the whiteboard, issues a small pack of sticky notes to each participant, and lets them post anything, anywhere ...