Hero’s journey
This exercise explores the 12 stages of Campbell's Hero’s Journey, helping participants develop storytelling skills and reflect on their own personal journeys.
Duration: 130 minutes. Introduction: 20 minutes. Story of Michał/Krystyna: 30 minutes. Discussion & reflections: 15 minutes. Story writing: 30 minutes. Story presentations: 20 minutes. Summary: 15 minutes.
Difficulty level: 5/5
Preparation
Paper, pens. Hero’s Journey framework. Story of Michał or Story of Krystyna
Introduction (20 minutes)
Divide participants into small teams of 5–6 people.
Introduce the Hero’s Journey framework: Present both the full 12-stage model and a simplified 8-stage version, which will serve as the structure for the exercise.
Instructions
Read The Story of Michał aloud (or use The Story of Krystyna). Ensure an engaging atmosphere for listening.
Give each team a copy of the story and the Hero’s Journey framework. Ask teams to analyze the story and identify the corresponding stages within the text.
Invite the teams to share their insights on how the story aligns with the Hero’s Journey.
Each team writes an original story on any theme, using the 8-stage Hero’s Journey as a guide.
Teams read their stories aloud. After each presentation, the group identifies key moments that align with the Hero’s Journey stages. Applaud and celebrate each story.
Helpful tips
This is a challenging and immersive exercise. Offer guidance and encouragement, especially during the story-writing phase.
Wrap-up (15 minutes)
Discuss as a group:
What surprised you during the exercise?
How did using the Hero’s Journey framework influence your storytelling? Was the structure helpful?
Can you see yourself applying this approach to creative projects?