Connection:

What is Connection About?

CONNECTION is the coming together of a scientist (Randy Olson) with two artists (Dorie Barton, Brian Palermo) to create a simple model for storytelling.

• What are the basic elements of the Connection Storytelling Model?

  It's very simple -- just the core structural elements of, "And, But, Therefore" to start your story (Randy Olson's contribution), with the Logline Maker for more elaboration if it fits (Dorie Barton's contribution), then humanizing the story through improv techniques (Brian Palermo's contribution).

• Where does this project come from?

  The material has been developed in the "CONNECTION Storytelling Workshop" over the past three years which we have conducted with numerous organizations including the National Park Service, the Natural Resource Defense Council, The Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, and the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography.

• What is the main argument of the book?

  That when it comes to mass communication, Hollywood is to be respected rather than ridiculed. They are the people who have best figured out how to connect with the public, and in so doing advanced the art and science of storytelling.

• Who should read Connection?

  Everyone who needs to communicate to the general public. This means lawyers, wanting to use stories to argue their cases, politicians wanting to tell stories to gain support, businessmen wanting to promote the strengths of their products, doctors wanting to convey health issues. Stories are universal. CONNECTION provides simple, practical rules for putting stories to work.