# Storytelling

> Apply the right storytelling framework to any draft. Rewrites pitches, updates, memos, and narratives using Golden Circle, Minto's Pyramid, Pixar Pitch, StoryBrand, What-So What-Now What, or ABT.

- Skill: `talgacapri/storytelling` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add talgacapri/storytelling`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/talgacapri/storytelling/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: talgacapri (https://skillmd.com/u/talgacapri)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/talgacapri/storytelling

---


# Storytelling Skill

Take any draft, idea, or raw content and rewrite it using the right storytelling framework for the audience and context.

## Quick Start

Tell me one of these:
- `/storytelling` + paste your draft → I'll recommend the best framework and rewrite it
- `/storytelling [framework name]` + paste your draft → I'll apply that specific framework
- `/storytelling which?` + describe your audience and goal → I'll tell you which framework to use

## Framework Reference

Full details live in `context-library/strategy/storytelling-frameworks.md`. Quick summary:

| Framework | Best For | Core Move |
|-----------|----------|-----------|
| **Golden Circle** | Pitches, brand, team rallies | Start with WHY |
| **Minto's Pyramid** | Exec summaries, memos, strategy docs | Conclusion first |
| **Pixar Pitch** | Vision, origin story, product narrative | Emotional arc |
| **StoryBrand** | Marketing, launches, onboarding | Customer is the hero |
| **What, So What, Now What** | Retros, QBRs, status updates | Facts → relevance → action |
| **ABT** | Slack messages, quick pitches, escalations | And, But, Therefore |

## Context Routing (Internal - for Claude)

When this skill is invoked:

1. **Read the framework reference:** Check `context-library/strategy/storytelling-frameworks.md`
2. **Check for existing docs:** Look in `context-library/prds/`, `context-library/strategy/`, `context-library/meetings/` for context on the initiative being pitched
3. **Check stakeholder profiles:** `context-library/stakeholder-template.md` — audience shapes which framework wins
4. **Check business context:** `context-library/business-info-template.md` — use real company language, not placeholders

## Step-by-Step Execution

### Step 1: Understand the Situation

Ask (or infer from their input):
- What is this for? (pitch / memo / update / message / PRD section / deck)
- Who is the audience? (investor / exec / team / customer / board)
- What do you need them to do? (approve / feel / act / understand)
- How long do they have? (30 sec / 5 min / full read)

### Step 2: Select Framework

Use this decision logic:

```
Audience doesn't know you or your product → Golden Circle
Audience is time-poor or senior → Minto's Pyramid
Audience needs to feel the vision emotionally → Pixar Pitch
Audience needs to see themselves as the beneficiary → StoryBrand
Audience needs a debrief or retrospective → What, So What, Now What
Audience needs it in under 60 seconds → ABT
```

If the draft is long-form (e.g., a strategy doc or PRD), suggest layering:
- Minto's Pyramid for the overall structure
- ABT or Golden Circle for the opening hook
- Pixar Pitch for the "why this, why now" section

### Step 3: Rewrite

Apply the framework to their content. Rules:
- Use real names, numbers, and specifics from their input (never placeholders)
- Match their voice — read any existing writing style notes in `context-library/writing-style-*.md`
- Keep it shorter than the original (storytelling should compress, not expand)
- If rewriting a document section, only rewrite the relevant section (don't regenerate the whole doc)

### Step 4: Show Your Work

After the rewrite, briefly explain:
- Which framework you used and why
- The 1 key structural move that makes it land better
- 1 alternative framework they could try if this one doesn't feel right

### Step 5: Offer Options

Always end with:
> "Want me to try this with [alternative framework] instead? Or apply this framing to another section?"

---

## Example Invocations

**Input:** "Here's my update for the board meeting. Make it better."
→ Diagnose: board meeting = time-poor senior audience → Apply Minto's Pyramid
→ Rewrite leading with the recommendation, then supporting evidence

**Input:** "I need to pitch our product vision to a new team."
→ Diagnose: rallying a team = emotional resonance needed → Apply Pixar Pitch
→ Build the narrative arc from current state to transformation

**Input:** "Quick Slack to my CPO about why we need to delay the launch."
→ Diagnose: time-poor exec, quick message → Apply ABT
→ "We planned to launch next week, and the team has been heads down. But QA flagged a data integrity issue that could affect 20% of users. Therefore, I'm recommending a 2-week delay..."

---

## Related Context

- Framework reference: `context-library/strategy/storytelling-frameworks.md`
- Writing style: `context-library/writing-style-*.md`
- Stakeholder profiles: `context-library/stakeholder-template.md`
- Exec one-pager: Minto's Pyramid is the default framework for any executive one-pager
- Status updates: `/status-update` (What, So What, Now What is the default there)
- Slack messages: `/slack-message` (ABT is the default there)
- PRD drafts: `/prd-draft` (Pixar Pitch shapes the problem framing section)