Why Even Your Driest Report Needs a Story Arc
My brother is in med school and constantly overwhelmed by how much he has to memorize. In a moment of sibling solidarity, I started sending him study tips. Nothing quite topped this video I found of a med student explaining how she remembers conditions by turning each one into a story. If she reads about a patient with a rare disease, she remembers the patient’s name, what they went through, and how they got better. That narrative arc makes the condition stick in her mind.
In other words: the science only lands because there’s a story.
And yes, we realize we just told a story about how stories help. Consider this a meta moment.
That’s what storytelling does. It connects. It helps us care. It gives abstract or complex ideas a human center. That’s why storytelling isn’t just for TED Talks or personal essays. It can benefit all presentations of content, including formal reports, policy briefs, and research-heavy publications.
Photo by Monstera Production
Why Storytelling Matters
Storytelling is a powerful tool in communication, but in some niches—especially formal or scientific ones—it’s often dismissed as too informal or subjective.
Here’s the thing: when used well, story isn’t fluff. It’s not an embellishment. It should drive the piece forward.
Whether you’re reporting on a new technology, a public health intervention, or an academic study, the story is what pulls the reader through. It doesn’t need to start with "Once upon a time." It just needs to include these three core elements:
A character and setting
A problem or quest
A resolution
In other words, it can be as simple as:
A committee (character) was formed (setting) to tackle a major challenge (problem), and here’s what they found (resolution).
How to Use Stories in Formal Contexts
You don’t need to turn your 150-page report into a novel—but even a glimpse of narrative can breathe life into your work. Here are a few elements you can weave stories into your stories without breaking tone:
Personal journey: Share how your organization or project team came to work on this issue. What prompted the project? What questions were people asking at the start?
Boxes or sidebars: Highlight real-world stories in boxed sections that support the main narrative. For example: “While every experience is unique, this story illustrates the real-world impact of these policies.”
Case studies and quotes: Incorporate individual experiences as data points. When done carefully, reporting on subjective experience becomes objective evidence.
Project milestones as narrative arc: Think of the project or initiative as the protagonist. What goal was set? What obstacles did your team face? How did you eventually succeed?
Visual storytelling: Sometimes the story is told in design. We've seen this in some National Academies reports that we’ve edited, which use illustrations and layout techniques to guide the reader and highlight lived experiences.
Making Dry Reports Engaging
A client once told us, "No one actually wants to read these reports; they just need the information." But here's the thing: it doesn’t have to be that way. People have spent years creating these giant reports. Small glimpses of story can draw readers in, even in highly formal contexts. For example, discussing the evolution of a research project or highlighting the background of an author or organization can provide narrative interest without sacrificing formality.
We’ve helped clients such as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine develop strategies to include storytelling in their extensive reports. Rather than trying to find a story to tack on after the fact, we frame stories around clear narratives like the creation and implementation of groundbreaking policies or discoveries.
The National Academies often presents stories through sidebar boxes and compelling artwork, allowing individual narratives and experiences to illustrate and reinforce the overall content.
Excerpt from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s report, Launching Lifelong Health by Improving Health Care for Children, Youth, and Families
Why It Works
According to research by Stanford professor Chip Heath, 63% of people remember stories, while only 5% remember statistics alone. When readers connect emotionally with your content, they’re more likely to engage fully and retain the message long after they’ve closed the tab.
The Element of Surprise
If you’re in a subject area where storytelling feels unusual, use that to your advantage. People expect your work to be dry. Surprise them.
At Boman Comms, we help organizations bring clarity and connection to their work through thoughtful storytelling.
Whether you’re translating dense research, elevating a nonprofit’s mission, or trying to make your marketing actually land—we’re here to help. Get in touch.