Love him or hate him; Dave Chappelle is a storytelling genius.
His shows sell out in minutes.
But most impressively, he’s able to hypnotize audiences for hours. His record- 6 hrs 12 min.
Here’s what makes him a brilliant storyteller (and you can apply it too) 👇
🧵 #tweet100
His shows sell out in minutes.
But most impressively, he’s able to hypnotize audiences for hours. His record- 6 hrs 12 min.
Here’s what makes him a brilliant storyteller (and you can apply it too) 👇
🧵 #tweet100
1. Audience
To speak and move people, you’ve got to understand what matters to them…
Their struggles and circumstances
Chappelle knows his fanbase. He connects with them through relatable anecdotes.
They can put themselves in the character’s shoes.
How he learned? 👇
To speak and move people, you’ve got to understand what matters to them…
Their struggles and circumstances
Chappelle knows his fanbase. He connects with them through relatable anecdotes.
They can put themselves in the character’s shoes.
How he learned? 👇
It was a combination of observation + trial and error
Early on, he played at the Apollo. His jokes didn’t make anyone laugh, so they booed him off stage.
After that, he studied the crowd, adapted, and succeeded.
Learning is an iterative process.
Create. Review. Adjust.
Early on, he played at the Apollo. His jokes didn’t make anyone laugh, so they booed him off stage.
After that, he studied the crowd, adapted, and succeeded.
Learning is an iterative process.
Create. Review. Adjust.
2. The end in mind
In Equanimity, he opens the show telling how he’ll use an outrageous punchline for a joke.
He reels in the viewers by setting the context, characters, and building up tension.
Boom! he delivers the punch without anyone seeing it coming
Why it worked?👇
In Equanimity, he opens the show telling how he’ll use an outrageous punchline for a joke.
He reels in the viewers by setting the context, characters, and building up tension.
Boom! he delivers the punch without anyone seeing it coming
Why it worked?👇
He knew the outcome, so he expertly set the stage to take the audience where he wanted.
To tell a good story, define it’s purpose first.
When that’s clear, arrange all the other elements to obtain that goal.
To tell a good story, define it’s purpose first.
When that’s clear, arrange all the other elements to obtain that goal.
3. Hook
What makes a good story? The ability to capture attention and keep people glued to the narrative.
A hook determines if the audience will listen or read the story.
It should make them go… WTH?
That’s why he used an implausible punchline. No way they wouldn’t listen.
What makes a good story? The ability to capture attention and keep people glued to the narrative.
A hook determines if the audience will listen or read the story.
It should make them go… WTH?
That’s why he used an implausible punchline. No way they wouldn’t listen.
4. Strong Characters
A solid character has a defined identity.
Chappelle introduces Timmy, a mormon friend
He describes his quirks and changes the inflection of his voice to bring him to life
By using imagery, we can follow the story along because the characters are credible.
A solid character has a defined identity.
Chappelle introduces Timmy, a mormon friend
He describes his quirks and changes the inflection of his voice to bring him to life
By using imagery, we can follow the story along because the characters are credible.
5. Conflict
Conflict generates drama. It builds up the story to the climax.
Without tension the tale would be flat— lifeless.
In Dave’s story, he’s the protagonist. All he wants is stove top stuffing.
Obstacles prevent him from getting it.
How he masters this element? 👇
Conflict generates drama. It builds up the story to the climax.
Without tension the tale would be flat— lifeless.
In Dave’s story, he’s the protagonist. All he wants is stove top stuffing.
Obstacles prevent him from getting it.
How he masters this element? 👇
Conflict is about goals.
Chappelle let’s us know what his character wants and why he wants it.
Such a clear scenario justifies his actions.
To create conflict, ask:
• what does my characters want?
• what stands in their way?
• what’s at stake if they don’t get it?
Chappelle let’s us know what his character wants and why he wants it.
Such a clear scenario justifies his actions.
To create conflict, ask:
• what does my characters want?
• what stands in their way?
• what’s at stake if they don’t get it?
6. Vulnerability
Flawed is relatable.
You can tell stories about others, but when you tell your own, it’s easier to gain trust.
Authenticity enables emotional connection.
That’s why he’s the main character of his accounts.
Flawed is relatable.
You can tell stories about others, but when you tell your own, it’s easier to gain trust.
Authenticity enables emotional connection.
That’s why he’s the main character of his accounts.
7. Voice
Personal perspective = radical differentiation
Dave delivers political and social messages through comedy.
He uses it as an advocacy tool.
In the story, he intertwines the action with his moral stance to add context.
Such powerful messages brew a memorable story.
Personal perspective = radical differentiation
Dave delivers political and social messages through comedy.
He uses it as an advocacy tool.
In the story, he intertwines the action with his moral stance to add context.
Such powerful messages brew a memorable story.
8. Simplicity
Clear writing is smart writing.
The same principle applies to storytelling.
Chappelle doesn’t use jargon nor unnecessary words to sound smart.
Overly complex messages get lost in translation. We lose interest.
A good story should be universal.
Clear writing is smart writing.
The same principle applies to storytelling.
Chappelle doesn’t use jargon nor unnecessary words to sound smart.
Overly complex messages get lost in translation. We lose interest.
A good story should be universal.
9. Cadence
Cadence is the rhythm and pace of the story; it creates the desired mood.
Pauses, pitch changes, and a varied sentence structure shape a dynamic tale.
Before the punchline, Chappelle makes a long pause that intensifies the audience’s intrigue.
Why he does it? 👇
Cadence is the rhythm and pace of the story; it creates the desired mood.
Pauses, pitch changes, and a varied sentence structure shape a dynamic tale.
Before the punchline, Chappelle makes a long pause that intensifies the audience’s intrigue.
Why he does it? 👇
He knows changing the tempo will cause an emotional reaction— a mysterious ambiance needed for the joke to work.
Think of cadence as a movie soundtrack.
Star Wars: Rogue One final scene with Vader is unforgettable because the music score and the audio effects amplify fear.
Think of cadence as a movie soundtrack.
Star Wars: Rogue One final scene with Vader is unforgettable because the music score and the audio effects amplify fear.
All these elements are fundamental to craft a great story
But there’s no silver bullet or magic formula.
Takes practice.
Remember how Chappelle was booed off stage at the Apollo?
What made him extraordinary was his persistence. He kept showing up.
That’s what it takes.
But there’s no silver bullet or magic formula.
Takes practice.
Remember how Chappelle was booed off stage at the Apollo?
What made him extraordinary was his persistence. He kept showing up.
That’s what it takes.
Here are my favorite storytellers:
@wordmancopy
@lbelgray
@VeryGoodCopy
@MatthewDicks
Just by subscribing to their newsletters, you’ll get better.
Finding worthy stories to tell is hard. I’ve added a helpful resource that’ll make it easier👇
listennotes.com/podcasts/the-c…
@wordmancopy
@lbelgray
@VeryGoodCopy
@MatthewDicks
Just by subscribing to their newsletters, you’ll get better.
Finding worthy stories to tell is hard. I’ve added a helpful resource that’ll make it easier👇
listennotes.com/podcasts/the-c…
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Thanks for reading.
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