Narratives: How to Use Them

Effectively During Advising

Michael Kurland – Academic Adviser

Ian Keil – Academic Adviser
Humpty Dumpty
 Agenda
• Why are Narratives Important?
• Why Utilize Narratives in Advising?
• When Should Narratives be Used?
• What are the Components of a Good
Narrative?
• Where Can I Find New Narratives?
 Narrative: Working Definition

Creates a vivid picture that allows students

to internalize information in a personal and
tangible way, so that recall can be easy
and effective.
 Importance of Narratives

What is the # 1 form of entertainment

in the United States?
Narratives create a relationship!
Make sense of our own
experiences
Intensity of Recall and Impact
How Are Advisers Utilizing Story
Telling?
• “I have a student who . . .” = “Once upon a
time. . .”
• Your or your student’s experience.
• Case Studies for both policies and life
lessons.
• Personal stories = connection =
humanization
• Inspire
Inspire Students to Act
 When Should We Use Stories?
• 1st We must ask what does our student
NEED?
– Motivation?
– Support?
– Advice?
– Someone to Listen?
• 2nd Do we have a story that will help this
student?
– Own stories or adopted stories.
 When Should We Use Stories?
(Cont.)
• 3rd Pick what story will help our student?
– How well does this story relate to my student?
– What will they get from the story?
– Will it provide support they need?
– Will it motivate them to action?
– Will it shed light on a complicated subject?
– Will this story connect with my student?
– Will a 1st person or 3rd person story be best? (me or
another student)
– What emotional impact do I want to create?
 Example
• Suppose a student asks you if they made
the right choice of colleges/university.
• What is the need?
• Do we have a story?
• How can we fine tune the story to this
student?
Components of a Good Narrative
• Credible
• Simple
• Relative
• Visual
• Agenda
• Story
 Types of Narratives
• The Unexpected
• The Mystery/Challenge
• Against the Odds (Inspiration)
• Relational (All in the Same Boat)
• Emotional Connection
Sources for New Narratives

http://advisernarratives.blogspot.com/

Michael Kurland (mkurland@usc.edu)

Ian Keil (ikeil@usc.edu)