Story Telling and PSSA

Goals

1. Explain how PSSA and Storytelling are similar.
2. Persuade skillfully with both approaches. That is, speak both languages fluently and translate between them.

Introduction

Storytelling is great way to persuade. The PSSA Framework is a great way to persuade. Thus, they must have common elements that engage the brain.

Common Elements of Storytelling and the PSSA Framework

Both storytelling and the PSSA Framework (Problem → Stakes → Solution → Action) are powerful tools for ethical persuasion. They work well because they mirror how human cognition and emotion are wired for engagement, meaning, and decision-making.

Here are the common elements they share:

1. Engage Through a Problem

• Storytelling: Begins with a conflict or challenge that grabs attention.
• PSSA: Starts with a problem that the audience cares about.

✅ Common Goal: Hook the audience by presenting a situation that feels relevant, urgent, or emotionally compelling.

2. Raise the Stakes

• Storytelling: Builds tension by showing what could be gained or lost.
• PSSA: Clarifies what’s at risk—why the problem matters.

✅ Common Goal: Amplify emotional investment by highlighting consequences and urgency.

3. Provide a Path Forward

• Storytelling: Introduces a turning point or guide (the hero’s solution).
• PSSA: Offers a solution to the problem that resolves the stakes.

✅ Common Goal: Present a believable and desirable way out—often involving a transformation or breakthrough.

4. Call to Action

• Storytelling: Ends with resolution and often an implicit lesson or call to change.
• PSSA: Ends with a direct, motivating action step for the audience.

✅ Common Goal: Move the audience from feeling to doing.

5. Emotional and Logical Appeal

• Both approaches use a mix of:
  • Emotion (via story or stakes) to motivate
  • Logic (via solution or structure) to justify

6. Targeted at the Audience’s Self-Interest

• Both tap into WIFM (“What’s In It For Me?”)
• They help the audience see why this matters to them.

Summary Table

Element	Storytelling	PSSA Framework	Shared Purpose
Problem	Conflict or challenge	Problem	Grabs attention and builds relevance
Stakes	Rising tension and risk	Stakes	Builds emotional investment
Solution	Turning point, guide, or lesson	Solution	Provides clarity and hope
Action	Resolution or moral	Action	Motivates change or behavior
Persuasion Mode	Emotional + narrative logic	Structured + persuasive logic	Balanced appeal to heart and mind

Framework: Translating Between Storytelling and PSSA

You can translate a story into a PSSA (Problem → Stakes → Solution → Action) or turn a PSSA into a story by identifying the core elements and adapting the structure.

Part 1: Translating a Story → PSSA

1. Identify the Problem
   • What challenge or conflict does the main character face?
   • What situation kicks off the action?
2. Identify the Stakes
   • What does the character stand to gain or lose?
   • What emotions, risks, or pressures are involved?
3. Extract the Solution
   • What turning point or breakthrough leads to resolution?
   • Who or what helps solve the problem?
4. Define the Action
   • What did the character do?
   • What should the audience do to achieve a similar outcome?

✅ Tip: Focus on the universal lesson or insight behind the character’s journey to make the action step clear.

Part 2: Translating a PSSA → Story

1. Turn the Problem into a Relatable Character Conflict
   • Imagine a character who faces the problem in a real-world context.
   • Set the scene so the audience cares.
2. Make the Stakes Emotional and Concrete
   • Show what happens if the character fails or succeeds.
   • Use tension and emotion to keep interest.
3. Turn the Solution into a Turning Point
   • Let the character discover or try something new (the solution).
   • Show how it changes their situation.
4. End with a Resolution + Moral or Implication
   • Show the improved outcome.
   • Let the audience infer or reflect on the moral or next step.

✅ Tip: Use the classic story arc: setup → conflict → resolution with your PSSA steps embedded.

Summary Table

From → To	Step	Transformation Example
Story → PSSA	P	Hero struggles to connect with others → Problem: Isolation
	S	Feels lonely, depressed → Stakes: Emotional well-being
	S	Learns empathy skills → Solution: Practice empathy
	A	Starts connecting deeply → Action: Learn and apply empathy
PSSA → Story	P	Problem: Feels stuck in career → Setup: Mid-career slump
	S	Stakes: Regret vs fulfillment → Adds urgency, emotion
	S	Solution: Learn new skills → Character joins course
	A	Action: Start today → Ends with first steps, new direction