This research investigates the degree to which dramatic structures function as foundational cognitive frameworks for human communication and connection. By synthesizing insights from performance studies, rhetoric, and narrative psychology, the paper interrogates how storytelling mechanisms facilitate comprehension and persuasive empathy. Central to this inquiry is the application of Aristotelian mimesis defined as the representational process through which individuals interpret and structure sensory data into coherent meaning. The study utilizes a three-element analytical scaffold consisting of the Dramatic Arc, the Hero’s Journey, and Theme. The methodology employs a systematic qualitative comparative analysis of impactful communicative artifacts to evaluate these concepts in practical application. Specifically, the research examines successful global media campaigns, high-stakes CEO keynote addresses and contemporary television advertisements. By deconstructing these specific artifacts, the study evaluates how the Aristotelian arc specifically the movement through tension and resolution aligns with the human brain's cognitive processing of order and narrative sequence. Furthermore, it explores how the Hero’s Journey serves as a tool for emotional alignment by positioning the audience as the protagonist, while the Theme provides the conceptual coherence necessary to bridge the gap between transactional data and shared values. Departing from purely rhetorical assertions, this research situates performance-based structures within contemporary communication theory to identify a replicable model for effective engagement. The study concludes that the integration of these dramatic elements is a vital mechanism for elevating communication from a simple transactional exchange of information into a transformational human experience that fosters deep trust.

Authors:
Wankwan Polachan, Mahidol University International College, Thailand

About the Presenter(s)
Dr wankwan polachan is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Mahidol University International College in Thailand

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wankwan-polachan-ab8317a6

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