Getting Started

How narratives work

To effectively work with narratives, we need to be clear what we mean by them.

Narratives are the shared frames through which people make sense of the world. They shape how we understand what is happening, who is responsible, and what kind of future seems possible. Narratives also shape identity. They signal who “we” are, what “we” value, and which actions are consistent with being “us.” Because of this, narratives operate largely below the level of argument. People rarely evaluate them like factual claims. They either resonate or they do not. This is what makes narratives central to public engagement: they shape whether people pay attention, feel concerned, and see a role for themselves in acting.

Stories are the specific accounts with characters, events, and outcomes that make the narrative tangible. People experience narratives through stories. Every story is different, but together they bring the narrative to life.