Cross-Cultural Rhetoric Workshop
April 15, 2008 with John Paval, Sweden
Application of Story in Practical Rhetoric for Leadership
1. Accompanied by 11 buccaneers, Captain Morgan advanced with difficulty through the
foliage.
2. His guide, Alonzo, cleared a path before them with arched swings of his sabre.
3. Suddenly there was a cry.
4. A spear had just pierced through the guide's shoulder.
5. In one quick movement, Captain Vane spun around, cocked his weapon, and fired up
into the shadows.
6. A smelly, bearded figure, with a toucan perched on his shoulder, fell at his feet.
7. The bird squawked "Shiver me timbers, One Eyed Jack!"
Group Task:
In groups of 3, think about how you might use this story – any part of it, the message of it, or
the principle/values (Doxa) communicated by it – as a way to communicate your specific
research topic to a specific audience. Apply what you have learned so far in today’s workshop.
Process:
1. Pick one person’s research topic. Decide upon a specific audience for your presentation
(group of executives, lawyers, Peace Corp volunteers, community activists, historians, etc –
be creative)
2. Decide how to use elements of the story or the Doxa communicated by the story, as a
means to apply “story telling principles” as effective communication for leadership – how
do leaders use stories to introduce an issue, communicate cultural/group values (doxa) or
seize upon kairos?
3. Plan out a BRIEF (3 minute max) presentation, using part/all of the story and using one
person’s research topic as your content. Aim to delight, inform, persuade. Script your
words? Practice?
4. Make sure you have a strong beginning, middle, and end to the presentation. Divide up the
roles in your group so that each person speaks – either assign the beginning, middle, or end
to different people OR include role-playing/activities so that each person participates in the
presentation in some way.
5. Be creative with delivery too! You can use words, voices, physical space, bodily movement,
the whiteboard (write on board), or any other elements during your presentation.
6. You will present for feedback from John Paval! This is good practice in presentations!