Stories – Write a Reflection on a story you keep telling and why you keep telling it
Pick one prompt style that fits you best or draws your interest. There are no “right” answers — we want thoughtful, grounded reflection that shows how a story shapes your attention and action.
PROMPT 1 — Personal Narrative
Prompt: Tell the story (a myth, family story, teaching, or personal anecdote, can be serious, funny, anything) that functions for you as a caution, a guidance, or an inspiration. Describe the story briefly and then explain how it affects what you do, how you feel, or how you think about the world.
Guiding questions:
- Which story are you choosing? Who told it and where did you hear it?
- Is the story a warning, a map for practice, or inspiration? Give examples.
- When did the story change you (a moment or period)?
- What concrete action or habit does the story encourage in you?
Starter sentence:
“There is one story I keep returning to: …”
Suggested length/time: 400–600 words / 45–60 minutes
Style tips: Use first person and include one concrete scene that shows the story in action.
PROMPT 2 — Place-based
Prompt: Choose a place that the story points to (a shore, hill, rock, river bend). Tell the story and describe what the place does when you visit it — how does the place + story together guide or caution you?
Guiding questions:
- Name the place and describe it sensory-wise.
- What does the story say about this place (safety, taboo, blessing, seasonal cue)?
- How does the story shape your behaviour when you go there?
Starter sentence:
“At [place name], the story we tell is … and when I stand there I…”
Suggested length/time: 400–700 words / 45–75 minutes
Style tips: Combine description of place with the narrative arc of the story; avoid long, abstract generalizations.
PROMPT 3 — Analytical connection (reflection + reasoning)
Prompt: Analyze a story you rely on: explain how the story works on you. Is it the metaphor, the structure, the repetition, a moral, or a ritual that gives it power? Use one or two Module 1 ideas (stories as maps, stories as governance) to frame your analysis.
Guiding questions:
- What is the core image or message of the story?
- Which part of the story acts as a “hook” for you (image, voice, rhythm)?
- What mental model did the story shift? How does that show up in your decisions?
Starter sentence:
“This story works for me because its image of ___ does the cognitive/ethical work of ___.”
Suggested length/time: 500–800 words / 60–90 minutes
Style tips: Mix narrative summary with short analysis; cite one Module 1 term or quote to anchor your reasoning.
PROMPT 4 — Poetic / evocative (creative)
Prompt: Compose a short creative reflection (prose poem or micro-essay) that evokes the story’s feeling and shows why it matters to you. Use imagery and a repeating line or image to carry the piece.
Guiding questions:
- Choose 3 sensory images that reflect the story’s force.
- Close with one small action you’ll take because of the story.
Starter sentence:
“The story keeps returning like a gull at low tide…”
Suggested length/time: 200–400 words / 30–45 minutes
Style tips: Focus on vivid concrete language. This counts as reflection if you link the imagery to the story’s practical hold on you.
PROMPT 5 — Multimodal (photo/audio + short reflection)
Prompt: Upload one short media item that relates to the story (photo, audio clip, 60–90 second voice recording of you telling the story). Then write a short reflection (200–350 words) explaining why this media captures the story’s function for you.
Guiding questions:
- What did you choose to record or photo and why?
- How does the media capture the caution/guidance/inspiration?
- What practical step will you take because of this story?
Starter sentence:
“The recording shows… and it matters because…”
Suggested length/time: 200–350 words + media recording time (~30–60 minutes)
Style tips: Keep media short, clear, and well-labeled. Obtain permission if others are audible/visible.
PROMPT 6 — Dialogic / Letter (address the story)
Prompt: Write a short letter or imagined dialogue to the storyteller, the protagonist, or to a living being in the story (river, sturgeon, mountain). Thank, question, or pledge — and describe one way the story will shape your action in the coming week.
Guiding questions:
- Who are you addressing and why?
- What do you ask or promise?
- What small plan does this story create for you?
Starter sentence:
“Dear [name], I remember when you taught me that … and I want to ask…”
Suggested length/time: 300–600 words / 40–60 minutes
Style tips: be daring in imagining the personality of who you address, ask questions and ‘receive’ answers
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