The Myth of Pure Subjectivity in Storytelling: Why Effectiveness Matters More Than Opinion

One of the most common arguments in writing discussions is that "everything is subjective." This is often an excuse to dismiss critique, reject structured storytelling principles, or justify decisions that fail to engage audiences. While it’s true that personal taste plays a role in how people experience stories, the claim that storytelling is purely subjective is misleading and outright false.

The reality is more nuanced: storytelling exists at the intersection of universal human psychology and individual variation. Understanding this balance is the key to mastering the craft.

The False Binary: Objective vs. Subjective

Many people mistakenly assume that because some aspects of storytelling are subjective, everything must be. This false binary pits storytelling theories as either rigid, mathematical formulas (purely objective) or entirely up to personal interpretation (purely subjective). The truth is neither extreme is correct.

A better way to frame it is through patterns and preferences:

• Patterns are based on how the human brain processes narratives, which is why certain storytelling structures have remained effective across cultures and generations. These are repeatable and testable, meaning they work for most people most of the time.

• Preferences vary between individuals. Some people enjoy slow, atmospheric stories, while others prefer action-packed narratives. But preference doesn’t override fundamental principles of engagement.

To put it simply: Storytelling isn’t a hard science, but it also isn’t random.

Effectiveness vs. Preference: The Core of the Argument

The best way to dismantle the "everything is subjective" argument is to shift the discussion toward effectiveness.

• Storytelling isn’t about rigid rules—it’s about what works.

• People can like anything, but the question is whether something works for most audiences.

• If a story fails to engage its intended audience, that isn’t a matter of taste—it’s a matter of ineffectiveness.

A Useful Analogy: Storytelling as Cooking

Think of storytelling like cooking:

• There are objective biological realities (humans taste sweetness, bitterness, umami, etc.).

• There are well-documented combinations that work (certain spices complement each other, some flavor profiles clash).

• But there’s also personal preference (some people love spicy food, others hate it).

No one would argue that because people have different tastes, you can just throw sand into a dish and call it food. Similarly, in storytelling, while personal taste matters, ignoring fundamental engagement principles results in something unpalatable to most people.

The Psychological Anchor: Why Storytelling Patterns Exist

The reason storytelling theories exist isn’t because someone arbitrarily decided them—it’s because they reflect how humans process stories.

Key Psychological Principles That Support Storytelling Theories:

1. Cognitive Fluency – People engage more with narratives that follow recognizable structures, making them easier to process.

2. Cause-and-Effect Thinking – Humans naturally seek patterns and causality, which is why structured conflict and resolution create compelling engagement.

3. Emotional Resonance – Stories that tap into universal emotions (love, fear, triumph, loss) have broad appeal.

4. Narrative Transportation – When stories follow psychologically compelling structures, audiences become immersed in them.

These are not "rules"—they are observed realities. Ignoring them doesn’t make a story bold or innovative; it just makes it harder for audiences to engage.

Why "It’s Just Subjective" Is an Excuse for Poor Craftsmanship

When a story fails to engage its intended audience, the issue isn’t subjective taste—it’s poor execution. Common signs of ineffective storytelling include:

• Lack of clarity – The audience doesn’t understand what’s happening or why they should care.

• No emotional engagement – The story fails to make readers feel something meaningful.

• Disorganized structure – Events feel random, lacking causality or momentum.

If a writer receives feedback that their story is confusing, meandering, or unengaging, dismissing it with “it’s just subjective” avoids the real issue: something about the execution is not working.

If Everything Were Subjective, Nothing Would Work Repeatedly

If storytelling were purely subjective, we wouldn’t see repeatable trends in successful narratives. But we do:

• The Hero’s Journey appears in myths across cultures.

• Conflict-driven storytelling engages audiences across all genres.

• Stories with clear stakes and character goals consistently outperform those without them.

While not every story has to follow the same mold, these trends exist because they align with how humans experience narrative. If success were random, Hollywood, bestselling authors, and major publishers wouldn’t invest billions in understanding audience engagement.

How to Explain It Simply

If someone insists, “That’s just your opinion, everything is subjective,” you can counter with:

“If everything were subjective, why do certain movies, books, and shows consistently engage people across cultures and time? Why do we see repeatable patterns in successful storytelling? If it were purely subjective, there wouldn’t be common principles that work over and over.”

Or:

“Preference is subjective, but engagement isn’t. If a story fails to engage most people, that’s not ‘subjectivity’—it’s ineffective storytelling.”

Final Takeaway: Subjectivity Exists, But It Has Limits

The best way to understand storytelling is not through objective vs. subjective but effectiveness vs. ineffectiveness.

• Some aspects of storytelling are subjective. (Different people like different things.)

• Some aspects are universal. (Certain patterns consistently engage audiences.)

• The key question isn’t whether something is “right” or “wrong” but whether it works.

By focusing on effectiveness, writers can move beyond shallow arguments about subjectivity and embrace the deeper understanding of what truly makes a story work.