videos to keep people watching. <a href=\"https:\/\/time.com\/6696963\/who-tf-did-i-marry-tiktok-series\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Reesa Teesa\u2019s viral 50-part video series<\/a> titled \u201cWho TF Did I Marry?\u201d is an excellent example of this. By splitting her story up into so many parts, viewers were left wanting more as she introduced more sudden twists and unexpected developments in the story of her marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll often see cliffhangers used in before\/after videos from DIY or home renovation content creators. By breaking up the project into multiple parts, such as having one video where the room is gutting the room, one is where you\u2019re mocking up what the room will look like, the next is buying supplies, etc. you can give your audience a steady stream of content. But they\u2019ll keep coming back to see the final reveal and end result. This Short from LexiDIY is a great example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"1 WEEK &amp; $1000 BUDGET RENOVATION | PART 1 | LEXI DIY\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Q7KTDcfTFyE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"about:blank\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"0\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another example is this Short from Artistic Antics LLC that splits up their process of creating soap into two parts. The first part shows the process of making the soap, explaining the scents, colors, and theme for it. But it leaves off without showing how the final product looks once the soap is cut. That\u2019s uploaded as a second part, to entice viewers to come back to see how it turned out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"I turned Conversation Hearts into soap! #valentinesday #soapmaking #conversationhearts #soap\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uwXFau7FCBI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"about:blank\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"0\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Cutting my Candy Hearts SOAP!! #donteatsoap #soapcutting #valentinesday #soapmaker\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9xyPK6lE2Qs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"about:blank\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"0\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-2-the-flashback-or-flashforward\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. The flashback or flashforward<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next up is the flashback or flashforward, a narrative technique where you give the audience a glimpse into past or future events outside of the current sequence of events. This is a great method to add depth or context to the story you\u2019re telling in your video. You can also use it to give your audience a peek behind the scenes of a video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, if you vlog an event and mention that the journey to get to the event was super stressful, cut in clips of your trip to the event. Or if you reference something that happened in one of your older videos, cut in a clip from that older video to give context to what you\u2019re talking about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"h-examples-of-flashbacks-flashforwards-in-videos\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Examples of flashbacks\/flashforwards in videos<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This video from Gold Shaw Farm uses a flashback to do exactly that. In it, Morgan is telling the story of how his pigs are gone from his farm. But to give the audience more context, he adds in clips of before the pigs left and explains how one of them disappeared without a trace.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He uses these flashbacks to tell a more complete and compelling version of his story that makes sense to both regular and new viewers who may not have seen his previous videos.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Now All The Pigs Are Gone \ud83d\ude31\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xTIjhODWBwI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"about:blank\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"0\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brittany Broski does this in her videos to create a cohesive, engaging story. In this vlog that documents her trip to Ireland, she starts with a flashforward that shows the crowd at her show, then brings you back to her vlogging her experience while she cuts in clips of the events she mentions as flashbacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"getting banned from ireland\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aiLHNX5Ri3k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"about:blank\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"0\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-3-stream-of-consciousness\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Stream of consciousness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another narrative technique is stream of consciousness, where you write or speak exactly how your thoughts flow. As opposed to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/blog\/video-script-templates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">writing a script<\/a> that you edit afterwards, you say what you\u2019re thinking without worrying about how fragmented or nonsensical it might come out. It\u2019s similar to a person\u2019s interior monologue but the final product is a raw, unedited form that defies logic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can see stream of consciousness in videos where someone is just narrating their video as they film, or doing an unedited, unscripted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/tutorials\/beginners-guide-vocals-video-projects\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">voiceover<\/a>. With videos, unless you see the person on-camera and can tell that they didn\u2019t make any edits, it can be hard to tell which ones are truly stream of consciousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"h-examples-of-stream-of-consciousness-in-videos\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Examples of stream of consciousness in videos<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This Short from Olivia Lutfallah is a great example of stream of consciousness being used as a way to give the viewer a glimpse of what it\u2019s like inside the mind of someone with ADHD. In it, you hear the inner thoughts of someone with ADHD for two minutes as they go through their life. The overlapping thoughts and the constant subject switching does an excellent job of showing what a realistic stream of consciousness is like for someone with this neurodevelopmental disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"ADHD Simulator - What It Feels Like To Have ADHD\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2fYg5hSgtug?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"about:blank\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"0\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-4-story-within-a-story\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Story within a story<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also known as a frame story or embedded narrative, this narrative technique is as it\u2019s named\u2013when someone within a story becomes a narrator of a second story. In media, there\u2019s usually a key parallel between the two stories, either between the characters or plot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using this technique with video can be as simple as doing a vlog of your day and tell a story of something that happened in the past during it. <em>The Princess Bride<\/em> is a famous example of this technique, where a Grandpa reads a bedtime story to his sick grandson.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"h-examples-of-story-within-a-story-in-videos\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Examples of story within a story in videos<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This fan-made video of <em>The Adventure Zone<\/em>, a popular comedy and adventure actual play podcast, captures the inherent story within a story structure of playing Dungeons and Dragons. It starts by showing the people playing the game who are gathered around a table, but switches between the players and the characters\/campaign they\u2019re playing in D&amp;D.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first story is one of a group of people playing D&amp;D together, but the second story is the one that they\u2019re creating together with their D&amp;D characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"LIVE ACTION - The Adventure Zone Fan Film\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aWot_8E4g2c?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"about:blank\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"0\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-5-narrative-hook\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Narrative hook<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final narrative technique is one that most creators are familiar with\u2013a narrative hook. This is the opening line, scene, or dialogue that grabs the audience\u2019s attention and gets them to continue reading or watching.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hooks are popular techniques with online videos, since you only have a few seconds to convince viewers to keep watching. This, along with the rise of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/blog\/evolution-of-short-form-video-marketing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">short-form videos<\/a>, changed the landscape of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/blog\/influence-of-social-media-video-storytelling\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">video storytelling<\/a>. Many popular content creators and YouTubers use exciting, interesting, or emotional scenes as their hooks for their videos, but the sky is really the limit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"h-examples-of-narrative-hooks-in-videos\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Examples of narrative hooks in videos<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We created a video that shows five different examples of effective hook techniques used by content creators in their videos. In it, Kyle Miller breaks down what the hooks are, how they work, and why they\u2019re so effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Five effective hooks for videos in 2024 (Tutorial)\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BuovwbuDxIA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"about:blank\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"0\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-create-more-engaging-videos-with-storyblocks\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create more engaging videos with Storyblocks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are just five examples of different narrative techniques that can be used with your videos. Finding ways to use them in your own content is a great way to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/tutorials\/create-videos-that-engage-audiences\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">engage a wider audience<\/a>, keep them watching for longer, and keep them coming back for more. Next time you find yourself completely sucked into a video, make a note of what narrative techniques are being used to make it so captivating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can learn even more about storytelling techniques and how to use them effectively with video in our free course, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/courses\/anatomy-of-a-story\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Anatomy of a Story<\/a>.\u00a0Combining these methods with a Storyblocks subscription is the best way to set your videos up for success. With access to over 8 million high-quality stock assets, you can leverage our library to bring your stories to life with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/blog\/a-roll-vs-b-roll-footage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">b-roll<\/a>, sound effects, and more. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/pricing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Explore our plan options<\/a> and sign up to start downloading instantly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this article, we\u2019ll talk about what narrative techniques are and how you can use them in your videos to create engaging stories, along with examples of videos that use those storytelling techniques.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":28893,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"topic":[12,16],"class_list":["post-28892","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","topic-social-media","topic-video-production"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28892","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28892"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28892\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35947,"href":"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28892\/revisions\/35947"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28893"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.storyblocks.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=28892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}