Story Maps

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Structure a message or case study into clear narrative stages using a visual organizer.

Use it when: Use when training communication, presentation design, or case study analysis where participants need to structure narrative flow.

Skip it when: Skip when participants need to produce rapid analytical lists or when time is under 15 minutes.

Group arrangement: Trios or quartets, with optional whole-room sharing

Timing: UWT recommended duration; the original source lists variable training options without a fixed running time.

Materials and tools

• One printed Story Map worksheet per participant (or one large sheet per small group)
• Pens or markers for each group
• Timer
• Shared digital whiteboard boards if running online

Before participants arrive

1. Print copies of the Story Map worksheet or set up workspace frames on a shared digital whiteboard.
2. Assign participants to small groups of 3 or 4 people.

Say this to open

Stories in business stick best when they follow a clear shape. We are going to use a story map to plan out a narrative. In your groups, choose one real workplace project or an assigned scenario, then map out the setting, the challenge, the key turning point, and the resolution. You will have 12 minutes to draft your map together.

How to run it

1. Introduce map framework 3 minutes

   Distribute the Story Map worksheet or display the template. Walk through the five sections: Setting, Characters, Obstacle, Turning Point, and Resolution. Give one quick neutral example, such as rolling out a new software tool where user resistance was overcome by peer coaching.

2. Draft story map 12 minutes

   Small groups select a scenario or work experience. Together, they write brief bullet points into each section of their map. Every person records notes on their sheet or digital canvas. Stop groups when the 12-minute timer ends.

3. Pair share and review 6 minutes

   Pair each group with another group (or combine two breakout rooms). One group tells their 2-minute story using their map as a guide. The listening group gives 1 minute of feedback on which narrative turning point stood out most. Groups swap roles for the remaining 3 minutes.

4. Debrief 4 minutes

   Reconvene the full room. Facilitator asks two targeted questions. Hear from two or three volunteers within the remaining time.

Debrief questions

• Which section of the map required the most discussion or revision in your team?
• How did structuring the turning point change how clearly the final message came across?

Finished output: A completed five-part story map diagram per group and an oral narrative test.

Remote

Set up breakout rooms of 3 to 4 participants. Provide each group with its own dedicated board or canvas link containing the Story Map template. In Step 3, merge breakout rooms into pairs or bring all groups back to the main room to paste sticky-note feedback directly onto each other's visual boards.

Hybrid

Keep in-person participants in room-based small groups using paper maps. Place remote participants in their own virtual breakout groups using a collaborative digital whiteboard. During the sharing step, broadcast one remote group's story to the room, or pair an in-person representative with a remote group via a mobile laptop station.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may choose whether to speak during the sharing phase, act as the scribe, or contribute written notes silently to the map.
• Anyone may opt out of sharing personal workplace experiences and use a neutral, fictional scenario instead.

If the session gets stuck

Groups spend all their time debating which story topic to choose.

Provide a default scenario (for example: launching a delayed product update) after 2 minutes if a group has not settled on an idea.

One participant dominates the storytelling during the drafting step.

Remind groups to assign specific sections of the template to different members or rotate who writes each section.

Terms used here

• Story Map: A visual template that breaks a narrative into sequential components like context, conflict, climax, and outcome.