Cracking the Story Code

The Research and Results

Stories are neither neutral, innocent, nor agenda free. Many a scholar has tried to determine how stories work, what makes them work — a question that Katherine Farmer took to heart and has spent decades researching, which included nationwide content analysis surveys. Cracking the Story Code is the results of that research. But, before we go further, let’s explore what story is . . .

Venn diagram illustrating the results of the nation-wide surveys and what really matters when creating stories that attract and engage audiences.

Diagram of the 13 Essential Elements of Story, the Building Blocks of Story, Kinds of Story, and the Narrative Divide

Chart of the Universal Elements of Story, from the Dynamic Balance to the Storage of Belief

Comparison Chart of terms used for story from Aristotle to Katherine Farmer’s Story Code

The Story Cone and it’s Use

Tools for Mapping Stories

Intro to the Story Cone and it’s semiotic roots. Includes blank Story Cone Worksheet

Blank Story Cone Template for download and use in analysis

The Configurative, Non-Linear, Story Cone of Back Story, Central Story, and Companion Story

A Configurative illustration of the Story Cone according Developmental Levels. “Plot follows Thought”

Class handout: A cheat sheet and story examples of putting the Story Cone to use in a romantic story

The Story Code

Bringing it all together:

The research of Cracking the Story Code, the application of the Story Cone and the resulting Story Code

In her own words, Katie talks about the origins of the Story Code

The Primary Character Role Functions as identified through content analysis