STORYTELLING LEADERSHIP: A SEMIOTICS THEORIES QUALITATIVE INQUIRY INTO THE COMPONENTS FORMING AN ORAL STORY University of Phoenix(USE AS GUIDE ONLY)

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STORYTELLING LEADERSHIP: A SEMIOTICS THEORIES QUALITATIVE
INQUIRY INTO THE COMPONENTS FORMING AN ORAL STORY
University of Phoenix
ABSTRACT
Using semiotics theories as a guide, the qualitative examination of storytelling
literature and current storytelling practitioners provides research support for a list of
storytelling components. Analysis of story building components discovered from
literature in comparison to the results from research questionnaire responses by current
storytellers confirms the existence of a historic list of regularities in storytelling
practice. The analysis of current storytelling literature, narrative research literature, and
historic Western European literature enables the development of five descriptive
statements guiding the formation of a story. The comparison of the beliefs and practices
of current storytellers to the five descriptive statements guiding the formation of a story
provide a research method confirming regularities in storytelling practices across
historic and ethnic boundaries. The resulting list of story components support the
central research question.
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DEDICATION
I dedicate the following work to the glory of God, revealed in Jesus, who lives in
me. Research into storytelling became a reality through the encouragement and
sustaining prayers from church members, extended family, and coworkers at University
of Phoenix. The support from my wife Erma, children Heidi, Holly, Heather, Hans, and
Hannah, and 16 grandchildren protected and carried me through serious illness and
enabled my success. My classroom team member Janice Chayt challenged my pretenses,
tested my mettle, and kept me on the doctoral path through a dark time when illness left
me unable to think clearly. In a colorful vernacular, Jan saved my bacon. I owe sincere
gratitude to the following individuals:
Dr. Halvorson who encouraged me to begin my doctoral journey.
Dr. Santiague who provided encouragement and insight.
Dr. Sorenson who carefully guided me through the completion of my dissertation.
Dr. Kanell for enthusiasm for me and the topic I chose.
Dr. Dickey for stepping at the 11th hour in to provide assistance.
And, Baxter Black, comedian, cowboy poet, and storyteller. Baxter took the time
from a busy travel schedule to help me to understand how many great storytellers
accomplish their task. To each of these, I offer my sincere appreciation for their support,
and to them I dedicate my work.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Spindly and decrepit Henry hung out at my father’s D-X station and spun joy into
my boyhood with remarkable stories. This spark fanned a passion for storytelling into a
small glowing flame the day he punctuated a story by popping out a glass eye and
reinstalling it every way except the correct way. The flame grew into a blazing forest fire
as my dad added a river of stories. As an adult, I discovered stories from literature and
the Bible where storytelling took on a spiritual dimension. My fire raged bright the day
the inner voice of the Holy Spirit moved me to build a large stage appropriate easel and
begin using my highly trained artistic talent to chalk a three by four feet picture while
telling a story. Prior to introducing chalk I told stories, with chalk I made stories come
alive. Children ran to the front to sit cross-legged and mesmerized on the floor. A
generation later, middle-aged adults walk up to me and describe a painting seen in
childhood. When I ask about the story, they describe my presentation and say, “I will
never forget that story, and it came alive for me!” I owe thanks for these results to the
power of God given me through Jesus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
Page
List of Figures ….…………………………………………………………………….
xi
List of Tables ..……………………………………………………………………….
xii
Chapter 1: Oral Storytelling: The Problem and the Need for Research .…………….
Problem Statement ....……………………… .. …………………………….… ....... 2
Semiotics Theories …………………………………………………...
Discovery from the Literature ………………………………………..
Figure 1: Comparative Chart of Discovered Components Lists ..……….…… 4
The Discovery from Oral Storytelling Literature …………………….
Figure 2: Comparative Chart of Storytelling Components …………………... 7
The discovery from Scholarly Research Using Narrative ……………
Purpose of the Study ..………………………………………………………... 10
Significance of the Study to Leadership …..…………………….…… 12
Background of the Problem ………………………….……………………... 13
Reasons for the Absence of a Formula ............................................................... 15
Nature of the Study ..…………………………….…………………… 19
Research Methods ……………………………………………………………. 21
Case History ………………………….……………………………….
21
Ethnography ... ………………………………………………………... .... 22
Phenomenological Studies ... …………………………………………. .... 23
Semiotics Theories .…………………………………………………...
24
Overview of Design Appropriateness ………………………………... 25

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Research Questions ..…………………………………………………………. 25
Theoretical Framework ……………………………………………..... 28
Theoretical Assumptions …………………………………………….. 30
Definition of Terms ………………………………………………….. 31
Scope, Limitations, and Delimitations ……………………………….
32
Summary …………………………………………………………… ... …… ..... 36
Chapter 2: Review of Storytelling Literature ………………………………………... 38
Historic Setting ………………………………………………………………. 39
Overview of the Current Storytelling Revival …………………….… 43
The Absence of Theory in Current Storytelling ..… ........ ……………...... 44
Written Narrative as a Tool of Research …………………….………
47
Narrative as a Tool of Research ............................................................................ 48
Narratology as a Tool of Research …………………………………..
53
Practical Problems with the Study ………………………….……………….. 54
The Problem of Telling an Influential Oral Story ……..………………..…… 55
Analysis of Storytelling Components …………….……………………..… ........ 57
Traditional Oral Storytelling Components ..………….……..……….
58
Aristotle’s Poetics ..……………………….…………………………
60
Western European Literature ……………………………………..…
66
Method ……………………………………………………… .... …... ...... 66
Story Examination ……………………………………….………….
68
Moses …………………………………………………….….
68
Aesop ………………………………………………………..
69

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Jesus …………………………………………........………....
70
Chaucer ……………………………………………………..
70
The Arabian Nights …………………………………………
71
The Brothers Grimm ……………………………………......
72
Washington Irving …………………….…………………….
73
Beatrix Potter ……………………………………….……....
74
Synthesis of the Stories ……………………………………..
74
Figure 3: Western European Story Components …………............................
78
Expanding Research into Literature ………………………………...
82
The Gap in Research ………………………………………………………..
83
Synthesis of the Topic ………………………………………………………
85
Results from the Examination of Narrative Research ........................
85
Results from the Examination of Oral Storytelling Resources ….….
86
Rhetorical Analysis …………………………………………….…………...
87
Summary ……………………………………………………….….….….....
88
Chapter 3: Research Approach and Design ……..……………………….…….…....
91
Confidentiality ………………………………………………………………
92
Instrumentation ……………………………………………………………...
93
The Questionnaire ……………………………………………………..….....
94
Research Question One ..…………………………………………….
96
Subsequent research question 1.a …………...…………….....
96
Subsequent research question 1.b ..…………………………..
97
Research question Two …………………………………………….... 97

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