Story Levels & Types

This document is a collection of notes from John Savage’s Listening & Caring Skills to be used as a quick list for identifying the level and type of patient stories.

Story Level One: Data Back Then

Function: Put the story in a distant context

Listening queues:

“When I was a kid, I…”

“Back when I was in…”

“Years ago …”

Voice is high tone from the front of the facial mask

Story Level Two: Feelings Back Then

Function: Put the story (with feelings) in a distant context

Listening queues:

Emotions in the past

“When he did that, I was really hurt…”

Expression and complexion changes

Voice in back of nose

Story Level Three: Feelings Now

Function: Identify and express current feelings

Listening queues:

Emotions described

Watch for face, posture, and gesture changes

Voice is in the throat, perhaps laden with emotion

Glistening eyes, red cheeks, softer, deeper tones

Story Level Four: Self-Disclosure

Purpose: To bring to conscious awareness to the meaning of the story

Listening queues:

A moment of “aha! when the speaker gains insight

Reaction could be laughter or tears

Story Types

The Reinvestment Story tells of shifting commitments and loyalties (which implies loss of the former attachments).

The Rehearsal Story tells of events in the past which are being retold (rehearsed) to inform the listener of what is going on now.

The “I Know Someone Who” Story protects the speaker’s inner condition while projecting the situation on to someone else or another object.

The Anniversary Story is a type of rehearsal story told at a given time of year on the anniversary of a significant event, in an attempt to deal with the unfinished emotions related to that event.

The Transition Story contains the themes of endings, confusion, and beginnings.

Katherine Murray

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