Kenn Adams' Story Spine

Apr 1
2 min read

What This Game Teaches

The Story Spine teaches fundamental narrative structure—how to move from setup to escalation to resolution—while helping participants organize ideas into a clear, compelling story.

Group Size

Individuals, pairs, or small groups

Time

10–20 minutes

Energy Level

Low to Medium

How to Play

Introduce the Story Spine prompts: Once upon a time…Every day…But one day…Because of that…Because of that…Because of that…

Until finally…And ever since then…

Participants fill in each line to build a complete story.
Stories can be shared aloud or developed in writing first.
Encourage specificity and forward momentum with each line.

Variations

Have participants tell true stories from their own lives using the structure

Turn it into a group exercise where each person contributes one line

Use it for business storytelling such as case studies or origin stories

Add time pressure for more instinctive responses

Why It Works

The Story Spine works because it mirrors how humans naturally process stories: we want context, disruption, escalation, and resolution.

It gives structure without stifling creativity. Instead of staring at a blank page or rambling, participants have a clear path forward.

In storytelling, structure creates clarity. And clarity creates connection. Whether you are telling a personal story, pitching an idea, or leading a team, this structure helps your audience follow and care.

Pro Tips

Encourage participants not to overthink each line
Push for concrete details instead of generalities
Remind them that “Because of that” should create cause-and-effect, not just a list of events

Origins / References

-Based on a structure invented by improviser Kenn Adams and widely used in improv training: http://improvencyclopedia.org/games/Story_Spine.html

Try This In Real Life

Use the Story Spine to prepare for a presentation, interview answer, or pitch. It will help you stay focused and land your point clearly.

If you want to learn how to turn your real-life experiences into compelling, structured stories, explore my workshops and coaching programs at Your Story, Well Told.