Lately, I’ve been on a mission to level up my writing. And honestly? Writing with AI has been a game-changer. It’s like having a chill, judgment-free writing coach who lets me dump all my messy thoughts out—raw, unfiltered—so I can focus on shaping them into something clearer and tighter.
That whole process got me thinking about how much our writing is shaped by time and the medium we’re using. In this age of constant pings and dopamine hits, people want content that gets to the point fast. A blog post kinda feels like the middle child between a novel and a TikTok—enough room to explore an idea, but not so long you lose your reader halfway through.I still believe storytelling is timeless. The way we still story may change—but the core, that deep need to connect through stories? That’ll never change.
That’s why I think storytelling principles aren’t just for novels or TED Talks—they can transform even informational blog posts into something people actually want to read. To make it easier, I’ve outlined a few key storytelling principles you can use, along with an AI prompt to help you try this out for yourself.
Here is the #AIPrompt – Machine friendly:
##Writing Prompt Guide with Hierarchical Logic
#Step 1: Determine Primary Article Type:If goal is "to educate clearly and simplify complex ideas" → Primary = informational. If goal is "to persuade or influence opinions" → Primary = persuasive. If goal is "to be short, engaging, and high-retention" → Primary = short-form. If goal is "to be detailed, comprehensive, and in-depth" → Primary = long-form.
#Step 2: Apply Primary Structure:If "informational", use Three-Act Structure: 1. Setup (Introduce topic). 2. Confrontation (Challenges & solutions). 3. Resolution (Takeaways & action steps). If "persuasive", use Conflict & Tension: Challenge beliefs. Example: "Most assume [X], but here’s why they’re wrong." If "short-form", use Pixar Story Spine: 1. Once upon a time… 2. Every day… 3. One day… 4. Because of that… 5. Until finally… 6. Ever since then… If "long-form", use Hero’s Journey: 1. Ordinary World (current struggle). 2. Call to Adventure (introduce solution). 3. Trials & Challenges (common mistakes). 4. Resolution (transformation).
#Step 3: Apply Secondary Refinements for Overlapping Types:If "informational + long-form", use Long-Form (Hero’s Journey) as Primary, then incorporate Three-Act elements within each stage for clarity. If "persuasive + long-form", use Persuasive (Conflict & Tension) as Primary, then expand using Long-Form depth. If "short-form + persuasive", use Short-Form (Pixar Spine) as Primary, then integrate Conflict elements into the story flow. If "short-form + informational", use Short-Form as Primary, then add Three-Act components in compressed form.
#Final AI Writing Formula:Primary: If "informational", use Three-Act Structure. Primary: If "persuasive", use Conflict & Tension. Primary: If "short-form", use Pixar Story Spine. Primary: If "long-form", use Hero’s Journey. Secondary: If "informational + long-form", nest Three-Act inside Hero’s Journey. Secondary: If "persuasive + long-form", expand Conflict with Hero’s Journey depth. Secondary: If "short-form + persuasive", mix Conflict & Tension with Pixar Story Spine. Secondary: If "short-form + informational", use compressed Three-Act within Pixar Story Spine.
Here is the explanation:
How to Use Storytelling in Informational Articles
1. Use a Narrative Hook (Inciting Incident)
- Why? A strong opening grabs attention.
- How? Start with a real-life example, a surprising fact, or a question.
- Example:
- Instead of “Here’s how to improve your writing,” try,
- “Imagine you spend hours writing an article, but no one reads past the first paragraph. What went wrong?”
This creates an inciting incident for the reader, making them want to find the answer.
2. Structure Your Article Like a Story (Three-Act Structure)
You can structure an informational article like a story to make it more engaging:
| Act | Purpose | Example in an Article |
|---|---|---|
| Act 1 – Setup | Introduce the topic and why it matters. | “Many struggle with writing engaging content. The good news? There’s a proven way to improve.” |
| Act 2 – Confrontation | Present challenges and solutions. | “Most writers fail because they lack structure. Let’s explore effective frameworks.” |
| Act 3 – Resolution | Provide takeaways and conclusions. | “By applying these methods, your writing will capture attention and retain readers.” |
3. Develop the ‘Character’ – Your Reader
- Why? Readers engage more when they see themselves in the content.
- How? Address their desires, struggles, and transformations.
- Example: Instead of
- “Good writing requires structure,” try
- “If you’ve ever struggled to structure your ideas, you’re not alone. Here’s how you can fix that.”
4. Create Conflict and Tension
- Why? Conflict keeps people reading.
- How? Highlight common mistakes, myths, or misconceptions.
- Example:
- (Boring)“A clear structure helps writing.”
- (Engaging) “Most people assume writing is about talent, but even great ideas fail without structure.”
5. Use the ‘Hero’s Journey’ for Problem-Solving Articles
If your article solves a problem, frame it as a Hero’s Journey where the reader is the hero:
| Hero’s Journey | How It Works in an Article |
|---|---|
| Ordinary World | The reader’s current struggle (“You’re stuck with unread articles.”) |
| Call to Adventure | Introduce the solution (“Here’s a proven way to improve your writing.”) |
| Trials & Challenges | Common mistakes and how to overcome them. |
| Resolution | The transformation after applying the techniques. |
6. Use the ‘Pixar Story Spine’ for Case Studies
- Why? Case studies or real-world examples become more engaging.
- How? Structure them using the Pixar Story Spine:
- Once upon a time… (Introduce the subject)
- Every day… (Explain their initial struggles)
- One day… (The turning point)
- Because of that… (Steps taken to improve)
- Until finally… (Success and results)
- Ever since then… (Lessons learned)
Example:
Instead of just stating “Good writing requires structure,” tell a story:
“Jane, a content writer, struggled to keep readers engaged. Every article she wrote lacked flow, and readers would drop off quickly. One day, she discovered the Three-Act Structure. Because of that, she rewrote her content to follow a clear progression. Now, her articles keep readers hooked from start to finish.”
7. End with a Strong Resolution (Key Takeaways & CTA)
- Summarize the transformation: “By applying these storytelling techniques, your writing will become more compelling.”
- Encourage action: “Try using the Three-Act Structure in your next article.”
Bringing It All Together
Instead of writing a dry list of tips, use storytelling techniques to:
- ✅Hook the reader with a compelling opening
- ✅ Structure your article like a story (problem, struggle, solution)
- ✅ Keep engagement high with conflict and tension
- ✅ Show transformation with examples and case studies
- ✅ End with a strong resolution and clear CTA
By treating your article like a story, you create a more memorable, persuasive, and engaging piece of content. Try it out and let me know what you think. While you are at it if you want your AI written content to sound more human check this out.
