The five-element story model we use at FirstVoice is based on the five elements of the ancient Greeks (fire, earth, water, air and space). This makes it extremely adaptable. In our book The Elements of Persuasion, we introduce the pneumonic acronym PHAAT and describe the five story elements as: The Passion with which the story is told; the Hero who allows us to see the story from a particular point of view; the Antagonist or obstacle the hero must overcome; the moment of Awareness that allows the hero to prevail; and the Transformation that results. PHAAT.
These words work, but sometimes it is helpful to go back the elements and find different words that fit better in conventional debate. Describing the political stories of the current crop of candidates is one of those times. In political storytelling Passion describes the famous “fire in the belly” that makes a candidate need to run. Hero is the candidate themselves, but also “the earth they stand on” – their consolidated base of support. Antagonist is their opposition, which they themselves define. Awareness is the ability of the candidate’s story to inspire us and see the world in a new way. And of course, Transformation is how they want to change things once elected. In coming days we will be looking at how the various candidates - Democrats and Republicans – are using the five story elements to get their message out. Just a teaser: as it stands now Al Gore has by far the best story going.
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