8 Tips for Using Literary Devices in Online Training

Learn how to improve storytelling by using literary devices in online training

We’ve all read a book that we just can’t put down. The story forces us to turn the page in such a way that we lose track of time completely. It’s not just the character development or plot that attracted us, but the way the story was told, each literary device lent itself to the experience. You can achieve the same effect with online training. Allusions, metaphors and anecdotes help employees relate to the content and enable them to invest emotionally. They can even simplify complex ideas so that employees can put theory into practice. Here are some top tips for using literary devices in online training.

1. Use allusions to provide continuity and context

As the name suggests, an allusion is when someone refers to another story or character to give it more context. This online training storytelling technique can help you maintain continuity throughout the course and tie everything together. Employees get to know a character and become familiar with their behavior and motivations. It’s a great way to reinforce knowledge and show how the same ideas and concepts apply in different situations.

2. Add captions to create an emotional bond

Using a quote from another work can inspire employees and possibly even spark nostalgia. Captions are direct fragments that provide background information or offer a new perspective. For example, the quote summarizes the narrator’s thoughts and feelings in his own words. This cultivates an emotional bond and helps employees understand the material better. Be sure to give credit to the author and show how the quote ties in if it’s unclear. For example, the motto emphasizes how crucial it is to wear the right safety equipment or to build strong communication skills.

3. Add euphemisms to lighten the tone

Euphemisms contain subdued or lighter imagery to describe a graphic event. For example, you can downplay an injury on the job to spare employees the gruesome details, all the while emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. These literary devices lighten the mood without undermining the subject. This makes them great for telling stories about compliance online training and for issues that may be too heavy for a sensitive audience.

4. Encourage visualizations with vivid images

Storytelling in online training may not have the same flair as fiction novels. You won’t depict stunning landscapes or quirky characters, but you can still use images to help students visualize the content and immerse themselves in the action. For example, describe the workplace or a piece of equipment so that they understand how to perform the task. This way they can imagine the process in their head. Imagery is also ideal for soft skills, such as online storytelling training that teaches non-verbal cues or builds empathy.

5. Use dazzling metaphors

Metaphors draw comparisons between two concepts that have absolutely nothing to do with each other. This is yet another visualization and contextualization technique that helps employees assign meaning. It also opens their eyes to compliance issues or trends in a more subtle way. For example, if someone is ‘on a tightrope’, employees can understand that the situation is vague. They should address the situation right away to avoid negative outcomes.

6. Illustrate the point with personal anecdotes

Personal anecdotes are one of the most popular literary resources in eLearning because they are so recognizable. These stories illustrate the importance of training and how staff members can use the ideas in their real lives. Someone has done it before and got better results. Trainees can follow suit and improve their workplace performance. Likewise, the anecdote can tell the sad story of a manager who lacked the necessary skills. Employees learn what not to do and common mistakes to avoid. They don’t repeat the same mistakes because the anecdote warns of the negative consequences.

7. Inject subtle humor with satire

Satire is one of the trickier literary tools in online training because it has to be subtle. You don’t want to create controversy and make employees feel uncomfortable. Used correctly, it can bring humor to your online training stories and engage employees on a personal level. You can use satire to poke fun at the long list of corporate dress code rules; while at the same time emphasizing why the protocols were introduced. For example, to keep your brand image intact and maintain credibility. Customers know what to expect when they walk in the door and each employee represents your brand to the outside world through their clothing. But satire lightens the mood, acknowledging that there are plenty of rules to follow. Satire can be in the form of animations, comics or narrative videos that highlight important topics and spark laughter.

8. Personalize products to make it more memorable

Learning about all the products and services your company offers is usually boring or mentally taxing. They have to remember all the features and specifications. However, personification in small doses can help them remember the takeaways. For example, create animated stories that give your latest product a personality or assign traits that are mostly human characteristics. Personalization also works for work-related equipment. Like keeping the neglected machines happy with frequent checks and maintenance tasks.

Conclusion

You might be tempted to squeeze all these literary devices into one story to achieve maximum impact. However, employees can become immune if you try to pack too much into one story. Use them sparingly to avoid cognitive overload and focus on the takeaways. Remember that devices should be used as an enhancement tool to assign meaning and encourage personal reflection. You also need to make sure that the content is culturally appropriate so that every member of the team reaps the benefits.

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