Course Description
This workshop-based course focuses on the development of persuasive narrative communication skills for entrepreneurial, creative, and cultural innovation contexts. It integrates principles from narrative theory, rhetoric, behavioral psychology, and strategic communication to examine how stories shape perception, mobilize audiences, and influence decision-making.
Students learn to craft and deliver compelling pitches that articulate value propositions, strategic vision, and social or cultural impact to diverse stakeholders, including investors, partners, cultural institutions, and public audiences. Emphasis is placed on clarity of message, emotional engagement, evidence-based persuasion, and ethical communication. Through iterative practice, feedback, and live pitching simulations, students refine their ability to communicate complex ideas with confidence and impact.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this workshop, students will be able to:
Knowledge
- Demonstrate understanding of narrative structures and persuasive communication frameworks
- Explain psychological mechanisms underlying attention, emotion, and decision-making in pitch contexts
- Analyze effective storytelling practices across entrepreneurial and cultural sectors Skills
- Develop structured pitch narratives integrating problem framing, solution articulation, and impact communication
- Adapt storytelling techniques to different audiences and strategic objectives
- Integrate data, visuals, and demonstrations into persuasive presentations
- Deliver confident and compelling oral pitches
Competencies
- Use storytelling strategically to influence stakeholder perception and decision-making
- Communicate complex innovation concepts clearly and persuasively
- Apply ethical principles in persuasive communication
- Respond effectively to feedback and questioning in high-stakes presentation settings
Key Topics Covered
- Narrative structure for pitches and strategic presentations
- Value proposition storytelling
- Emotional engagement and persuasion psychology
- Visual storytelling and slide design principles
- Data-driven narrative construction
- Audience analysis and message adaptation
- Performance techniques and presentation presence
- Handling questions and objections
- Ethical communication and authenticity
- Iterative pitch refinement through feedback