How can narrative research improve storytelling practices?
What is it about?
The insights and findings of academic research on narrative can be very useful for professionals working with storytelling. However, there is still a gap between the theory and practice of stories. Applied narratology tries to bridge this gap and establish a feedback loop between storytelling practitioners and scholars of narrative.
Why is it important?
Professionals working with storytelling and scholars of narrative could learn a lot from each other. Research results could improve storytelling practices, but also make people more aware of the persuasive and sometimes dangerous power of storytelling. The problems with and questions about the uses of narrative among professionals such as consultants, medical professionals, and strategists could also inform new research. In this introduction to a special issue on applied narratology, we discuss how such a feedback loop between theory and practice can be established.