What Is A Story Keystone?

What’s your favourite story of all time? 

There exists a central element that holds narratives together, much like a keystone that supports the arch of an ancient structure. This fundamental component is the Story Keystone – a message so integral that it becomes the narrative’s heart, guiding its purpose and shaping the audience’s experience. 

More than likely, your favourite story of all time will have a message that resonates with you on a deeper level, but to know what that is you first need to understand Story Keystones.

What Is A Story Keystone?

A Story Keystone is the foundational message that lies at the heart of your narrative – a message so integral to your story that all other elements converge around it, much like an arch forms around its keystone.

That message is your story’s purpose, the underlying idea or information that’s being delivered to your audience.

1. What Is A Story Keystone?
2. Why Is A Story Keystone Important?
3. Different Types Of Story Keystone
4. 3 Examples Of Well-Defined Story Keystones
5. How Story Keystones Affect An Audience
6. Real-World Applications Of Story Keystones
7. Which Keystone Messages Resonate With You?
8. Explore The Art Of Storytelling. Unlock Your Inner Storyteller.

Why Is A Story Keystone Important?

Let’s look back to the source of this illustration…

In traditional architectural arches, a keystone is a critical component because it helps distribute the load and stabilise the overall structure. 

The same applies to storytelling.

It’s not common to have an arch without a keystone in classical architecture. Without a keystone, the stones or blocks making up the arch wouldn’t be held together at the top and the arch would collapse under its own weight.

It’s worth noting though that there are various architectural styles and engineering techniques, especially in modern and experimental architecture, that might challenge or reinterpret traditional architectural principles. 

In some contemporary or non-traditional designs, you might come across arch-like structures that don’t use a conventional keystone, but typically they’re not arches in the traditional architectural sense.

Again, the same applies to storytelling.

So while it’s possible to have arch-like structures without a keystone in unconventional architectural designs, traditional arches rely on a keystone for stability and load-bearing purposes.

And while it’s possible to have stories without a Story Keystone in unconventional storytelling, traditional stories rely on a Story Keystone for stability, structural integrity, and purpose.

Different Types Of Story Keystone

You might be surprised to learn that there isn’t only one type of Story Keystone, in fact, there are many. 

The most popular types include:

• Moral Lessons
• Survival Information 
• Identity And Belonging
• Hope And Optimism
• Awareness Raising
• Social Commentary 
• Cultural Preservation
• Empowerment And Independence
• Wisdom And Life Reflections

See my article on the 9 Types Of Keystone Messages Found In Stories if you’d like to learn more about the different types in more detail and see well-known story examples for each one.

3 Examples Of Well-Defined Story Keystones

Now this was a hard section to write, not because it’s hard to find good stories but because all of the best stories have a strong keystone message. I had to settle on a number so I went with three and then chose three of my personal favourites.

The Hobbit

The value of home and the simple joys of life outweigh the allure of accumulating material wealth and succumbing to greed.

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

Thorin Oakenshield – The Hobbit

The Jungle Book

In order to realise your full potential, you first need to identify, accept, and embrace your true self.

“You say you want to go to the man-village. I say you could be a man right here.”

Baloo – The Jungle Book

Ratatouille 

Anyone, regardless of their origins, background, or appearance can achieve greatness in their pursuit through passion, hard work, and determination, no matter how unexpected.

“Anyone can cook.”

Gusteau – Ratatouille

How Story Keystones Affect An Audience

An expression we’ve all become very familiar with over the last few years is “The Takeaway”.

And I’m not talking about a Kung Pao Chicken with Egg Fried Rice and Spring Rolls. 

I’m talking about the main point you take away from any communication – whether that’s a story, a presentation, or the latest gossip from the lady who lives in the building behind yours and minds everyone’s business…

A Story Keystone has the same effect. When well crafted, the impact it has extends far beyond the surface of a narrative, it has a lot more depth than a theme and is designed to resonate deeply with the intended audience.

It acts as a compass for the narrative, directing the emotional journey and shaping the audience’s experience. Its influence is profound, as it determines how the audience engages with the characters, interprets the themes, and ultimately connects with the story on a personal level. 

A compelling Story Keystone has the power to evoke a range of emotions, from empathy to introspection, creating a lasting impression that lingers in the minds of the audience and establishes storytelling as a transformative and immersive art form.

Real-World Applications Of Story Keystones

The influence of Story Keystones isn’t only limited to the realms of fiction either, there are many valuable real-world applications to be found. In the same way, these narrative pillars can guide characters through the twists and turns of a story, they can serve as solid guiding principles in various aspects of real life.

Marketing And Branding

Smart companies leverage the concept of Story Keystones to build strong brand narratives and craft a central message that resonates with the target audience to establish a brand identity and create a lasting connection with consumers. 

This quote from Simon Sinek sums this up nicely.

“People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.”

Simon Sinek

Personal Development And Motivation

On an individual level, the idea of a Story Keystone translates into a personal narrative that you can identify and use to articulate your own core values, aspirations, and life messages, providing a sense of purpose and motivation for your journey.

Richard Branson’s motto is a good example of this one.

“You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing and falling over.”

Richard Branson

Healthcare And Well-Being

Narratives with clear Story Keystones can be employed in healthcare settings to communicate important health messages. From public health campaigns to patient education, storytelling enhances comprehension and encourages positive behavioural changes.

The ultimate healthcare example comes from Florence Nightingale.

“Nursing is an art: and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation as any painter’s or sculptor’s work…”

Florence Nightingale

Which Keystone Messages Resonate With You?

What’s your favourite Story Keystone?

Do you know the Story Keystone of your favourite stories?

Let me know in the comments!

Explore The Art Of Storytelling. Unlock Your Inner Storyteller.

Unlock your inner storyteller by Joining The Journey with me in exploring the art of storytelling; discovering new worlds, stories and techniques for capturing a narrative, creating moments and bringing stories to life.