Six-Word Story Framework

A storytelling technique that uses exactly 6 words to create emotional impact and convey a complete narrative, inspired by Hemingway.

Core Concept

• Originated from Ernest Hemingway's famous story: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn"
• Creates emotional impact through extreme brevity
• Forces clarity and precision in messaging
• Relies on implied context and reader interpretation

Key Elements for Success

• Must convey complete narrative arc
• Leaves room for emotional interpretation
• Creates curiosity or intrigue
• Implies more than it directly states
• Focuses on emotional connection

Business Applications

• Marketing and Advertising

  • Example used in podcast: "Business for sale, owner never hired"
  • Can be used for compelling headlines
  • Works well for social media posts

• Sales Copy

  • Creates immediate emotional connection
  • Forces clarity in value proposition
  • Makes message memorable through brevity

Real World Examples

• Original Hemingway: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn"

  • Implies tragedy
  • Creates immediate emotional response
  • Tells complete story through implication

• Marketing Example: "Business for sale, owner never hired"

  • Implies business failure
  • Suggests lesson learned
  • Creates curiosity about details

Best Practices

• Focus on emotional core of message
• Leave room for interpretation
• Use active, impactful words
• Create clear narrative implication
• Test impact on target audience
• Keep it simple but meaningful