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LifestyleThe Story Course - Storytelling Masterclass (Udemy.com)
Next Level Storytelling: How to Create, Write and Tell Stories That Impact and Engage Your Audience Each and Every Time
Created by: Paul Jenkins
Last updated March 2024
Our take
Based on the ratings of 4,947 students, a sample of their written reviews and the syllabus, as the course stood in March 2024. No course pays to be reviewed.
Paul Jenkins is a documentary film director and audiobook narrator, and the course plays like a filmmaker's talk on story. It runs about 2.8 hours across 32 lectures in seven sections: elements of story, the quest, setting, characters, and a closing lecture on workflows and tools. There are no quizzes or assignments, and the requirements say pen and paper will do. More than 29,000 students have joined and it carries a Bestseller badge, but the material leans toward people making books, films and videos.
Reviewers praise how clearly he explains things and how easy it is to follow. One person says it is the best storytelling course they have taken after trying plenty. Another liked the examples from favorite authors and the low tech, conversational style. The complaints are consistent. Business learners and public speakers call it too complicated or not applicable to work. One writer found it a brief overview rather than a masterclass. One reviewer wants more examples, quizzes or interactive parts.
About 4,200 of the 4,947 ratings are four or five stars, so most people leave satisfied. The last update was March 2024, though story basics age slowly. Because it is short, it is a low-risk way to pick up the vocabulary of story. We would point beginners and hobby creators here, and suggest experienced writers or workplace presenters look for something more advanced or more business focused.
Pros
- Short at about 2.8 hours, so a beginner can finish it in a weekend
- Reviewers say the explanations are clear and easy to follow along with
- Reviewers like the examples from favorite authors and the real world experience
- Covers elements, quest, setting and characters in a logical order
Cons
- No quizzes, exercises or assignments, and one reviewer wants more interaction
- Business and public speaking students say it does not translate to their work
- One reviewer calls it an overview, not the masterclass the title suggests
The best storytelling course I did so far (and I have done a lot). Paul takes you on a entertaining ride through the most important stages of storytelling and offers a lot of helpful insights, tools and thoughts.
Listed for all levels, but reviewers say it suits beginners best. One experienced writer found it a light overview.
What you will learn
- Create great stories using proven storytelling techniques
- Know the storytelling fundamentals that make stories flow and function
- Understand how to create impactful and emotional stories
- Discover the psychology behind why certain narrative storytelling techniques work
- Develop storytelling skills that can be applied to promote and enhance many areas of activity
Course content
7 sections · 32 lectures · 2.8 hours of video 9 articles
- 1Settling In 4 free previews8 lectures · 18 min
- 2Elements of Story10 lectures · 36 min
- 3The Quest5 lectures · 31 min
- 4Setting5 lectures · 47 min
- 5Characters and Progression in Story2 lectures · 14 min
- 6Workflows and Tools1 lecture · 24 min
- 7BONUS LECTURE: How to Get More of Paul1 lecture
Who it is for
The instructor says it suits
- Anyone wanting to create better stories
- Anyone wanting to make money with their stories
- Anyone wanting to know more about key concepts in stories and storytelling
- This course is NOT for people who aren't interested in creating better stories
- Writers
- Public Speakers
- Marketers
- Video Makers
What you need before you start
- Students should know that they want to tell great stories and learn about storytelling
- Students do not need fancy software to follow along with this course - pen and paper will do
How it compares
Against the other 503 rated Udemy courses in Teaching & Academics on CourseDuck:
- Rating4.4 out of 5higher than 27% of them
- Reviews4,947#31 of 504 by number of reviews
- Length2.8 hoursshorter than 60% of them
- Last updatedMarch 2024more recently than 56% of them
Course Description
Storytelling is one of the most valuable skills you can develop.
Do you want to create stories that catch attention? In words, images, or film?
The Story Course teaches you how to create great stories using proven techniques and approaches.
This course is designed to teach you the ins and outs of storytelling by showing you the art and craft of how to plan, map out, and produce amazing stories.
The course gives you step-by-step insight into what lies behind standout stories.
You will learn from a professional filmmaker, narrator, and writer who has directed dozens of films and runs a successful online publishing business.
The Story Course takes a highly unusual approach.
Rather than cramming you with rote templates, The Story Course shows you how to originate and tell stories that speak to you (and therefore to your audience!)
The course teaches principles and methods that you can apply today.
Learn what makes great stories and vivid storytelling
Discover software and resources to help your storytelling
Learn how to use the principles and psychology of storytelling to create outstanding stories
Create stories using proven professional storytelling techniques
Discover highly effective workflows to create your stories
Make money using the stories you create, using the storytelling techniques and methods you will master in this course
Improve your storytelling with this complete course.
What makes Paul qualified to teach you?
A documentary film director and audiobook narrator with over 40 film credits and 20+ audiobooks, Paul is also the creator of popular courses on Udemy - with 36,000 students in 167 countries and hundreds of 5-star reviews.
Regardless of your level of experience, you can create great stories.
Learn professional storytelling techniques that you can use again and again.
If you want to learn how to make great stories, this course is for you!
Our Promise to You
We'll be here for you every step of the way.
If you have any questions about the course content or anything related to this topic, you can always post a question in the course or send a direct message.
Dive Right In!
This course dives right into creating great stories, with immediate examples of where they are found and how they are used.
Learn what makes great storytelling so you can plan and make impactful stories every time!
Learn how to structure, design, and deliver stories to tell emotionally engaging narratives!
Learn how to prepare and interpret stories!
Learn how established storytelling principles and techniques can be used to amplify the impact of your stories!
Learn how to use freely available (free and paid) apps to improve your storytelling!
Learn how to use the correct storytelling workflow to save time, money, and energy!
Learn how to use your storytelling craft online and offline!
Start creating amazing stories today!
With our 30-day 100% money-back guarantee, nothing is holding you back from jumping in and trying out the course.
Click the enroll button, and we'll see you in lesson 1!
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Instructor Details
- 4.4 Rating
4,947 Reviews
Paul Jenkins
Paul is an award-winning international documentary film director whose films have been watched by millions worldwide.
After an accomplished career in documentary film, Paul dedicated his time to passing on his expertise in a way affordable for everyone. His online courses count over 68,000 students in 168 countries. In 2019, Paul founded Brilliantio as a successful publisher and hub for Ideas That Matter.
Paul's experience and unique skill set have given him the tools to help creatives and entrepreneurs realize their visions and bring them to fruition. He thrives on the output of creative media, and nothing brings him, more joy than helping an idea reach its full potential.
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Reviews
By Yo'Londeah M Edwards on 8/31/2026
He is explaining thing very well and it is easy to follow alone with. I'm learn a lot to help me with my book. I'm so grateful I'm taking this class.
By Cornelia Lehner on 6/17/2026
The best storytelling course I did so far (and I have done a lot). Paul takes you on a entertaining ride through the most important stages of storytelling and offers a lot of helpful insights, tools and thoughts.
By Christer Malm on 5/25/2026
Content is ok but not engaging this is what I practiced for years, would love to have more of Simon Sineak thinking into the training
By Mahesh Bapaye on 3/18/2026
Excellent, details material. However, I feel it is suited more for filmmakers, writers. Not very applicable in the business environment.
By Kelly McClory on 2/10/2026
I like that I can stop and go back, it is easy to follow. Having the video and the reading portions intermixed has helped me stay on task and not get board.
By Kittanate Petwaikun on 2/7/2026
The course is packed with knowledge, but it’s best suited for those who want to be writers or filmmakers. For people like me who want to use storytelling for social media or vlogs, it feels a bit too complicated. If the instructor designs a course specifically for these formats, I’ll definitely enroll.
By Helena Nouwen on 1/24/2026
Can barely believe this masterclass was found on Udemy. Beyond worth the cost. It is filled with valuable insight and guidance from a true thinker, storyteller, world architect and professional creative.
By Hieron Hirata Giacomini on 1/13/2026
The course delivers valuable insights from the author's perspective and experience. The teaching method focuses on an exposition and explanation of points that permeate the concept and essence of storytelling. At the beginning, I missed a presentation of a framework for how to build a story, but it ended up being presented in the last class. I believe that, being a more "technical" person, it would be interesting to explore this workflow issue for stories further as an addition to the classes. PS. I went to check the end of the Lord of the Rings movie to remember if the story ended with Sam.
By Michael McDonald on 12/20/2025
Excellent course, effective and efficiently delivered. Would love to see the AI tools reference expanded and updated. Would also be nice to have copies of the mind maps. Thanks!
By Kazpars on 12/9/2025
Excellent Course. So much details explained in such an easily digestible way. The diagrams are great. Well structured information. Recommend!
By Graeme Stonebank on 11/15/2020
Even though it is presented in a relaxed style, so far its the most professional start to a course I have seen.
By Edward Krebs on 11/8/2020
interesting course
Quality Score
No CourseDuck member has rated this course yet. Taken it? Give each part a thumbs up or down.
Overall Score : 88 / 100
- Video Duration:
2.8h - Price: $17.99
- Provider: Udemy
- Updated:
March 2024 - Level:
All Levels - Language:
English - Certificate:
Yes - Lectures:32 in 7 sections
- Students:29,200
- Subtitles:3 languages
- Udemy badge:Bestseller
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