SPEAKING BACK BY STORYTELLING – A METHOD FOR INCREASING CRITICAL THINKING AND ENGAGEMENT IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SPEAKING BACK BY STORYTELLING – A METHOD FOR INCREASING CRITICAL THINKING AND ENGAGEMENT IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Summary/Abstract: Storytelling and speaking back are two valuable methods in community development. In sociology, storytelling is applicable in three main forms: to collect data in narrative research, to present research results based on qualitative data and to stimulate people's engagement in social interventions meant to produce social change. Speaking back is a method that consists in involving participants in the process of reviewing their own productions, and then reflecting on their work; it is also used for returning research results in community in order to increase awareness and motivation for change in stakeholders and citizens. In this paper I present the main results of a research based on the combination of the two methods. I show how I used the descriptive style of storytelling in analysing and processing students' essays about their local communities and how I conducted a group thinking session based on the speaking back method. I conclude by highlighting that speaking back by storytelling could be an important tool for increasing critical thinking and reflection on the needs and resources for social change in local communities.

• Details
• Contents