Beatrice de Graaf: 'Storytelling is about engaging, not preaching'

Beatrice de Graaf was still a young girl when she realized the power of a good story. “My grandfather took us into the forest and told us the most gruesome fairy tales from the Grimm brothers to scare the hell out of us,” she recalls. That’s how she discovered how stories can evoke emotions and make us think.

She grew up in a family of teachers. Her grandfather, father and mother all earned a living in the classroom, transmitting knowledge with the help of engaging stories. For her, teaching and storytelling go hand in hand. "Teaching is much more than just transferring knowledge. It’s about stimulating students and taking them along the beautiful and terrible episodes of history.”

Her love of stories was also influenced by her faith, which constitutes an important source of comfort for her. “Stories in the Bible show that people also made mistakes in the past and sometimes things turn out well for them anyway,” she says. “Stories can contain an encouraging message without lecturing anyone.” Telling stories without being moralistic is something she strives to do in her own columns too.

Short bursts
Writing columns was a natural step for her. As a scientist, she feels that she occupies a special position at NRC and Historisch Nieuwsblad. Many of her monthly columns start as “short bursts” and she sometimes uses them to test new ideas. For example, she is researching far-right terrorism, which she sees as a parasite, a “shadow wave” in history. “I wrote the column as sort of a trial to see how the idea would land. The comments I received helped me develop the idea further. Sometimes such an idea even becomes a scientific article or a book.”

De Graaf notes that columns are a way to reach audiences faster and more directly. “Writing a book takes years, that is real slow science. A column, on the other hand, only has 850 words. It must be short and snappy. You publish it on a certain day and the reactions follow immediately.” She considers columns a way to stimulate readers and explore ideas, not a way to spit out opinions. “My opinion is not that important,” laughs the professor, who holds the chair in History of International Relations and is now a visiting fellow at St. Catharine’s College and the University of Cambridge. “It’s what I notice that matters.”

She likes to be a monthly columnist as this gives her more time to think about her pieces and polish them. “I don’t have to put forward a proposition every week or have a new, inspiring thought every week," she says. “Science columns can go deeper and be less vulgar.” Science columnists don't need to have the political slant of news columnists either, which she finds too moralistic at times.

The good, the true, and the beautiful
De Graaf strongly believes in the Platonic triad: the good, the true, and the beautiful. These core values ​​– which include ethics, knowledge, and aesthetics – form the basis of her scientific work and her work as a columnist. “The good is about ethics, the true about knowledge, and the beautiful about the aesthetics of a good story,” she explains. This means that a column should not only provide readers with knowledge but also offer them something beautiful and a subtle message. “I want people to see something new and start thinking for themselves. Not by wagging a finger but by taking them along in a story.”

She warns against the moralistic nature that some columns have these days. “In the Netherlands, preachers have left the pulpit and started writing newspaper columns. Everyone knows exactly what is right and wrong, but I'm not excited about that. I prefer to write something that has a subtle message, wrapped up in an aesthetic-pleasing story.”

According to her, her favourite columnists also appreciate the Platonic triad, as they manage to find a balance between the good, the true and the beautiful. In her view, Arnon Grunberg is a master in describing the absurd in an "aesthetically correct” way. De Graaf also admires Marjoleine de Vos' poetic style: “Her columns are real gems. The beauty of the story always has a deeper layer.” Last but not least, she loved Carolina de Gruyter's insightful mini-lectures on Europe: “She knows how to tell you something new about Germany or France, packaging it in a beautiful column.”

University jester
According to De Graaf, the campus columnist should act as the university's jester: someone who is sharp, creative and observant, describing things with a touch of humour. “A university is like a polis, a community. A good columnist should look critically at what is happening in that community, daring to hold up a mirror to the university.” This role is not only about transferring knowledge but also about inspiring others and encouraging them to reflect. “By holding up this surprising mirror, you can offer readers insights that go beyond superficial news or commotion." 

In De Graaf's opinion, a column can be a platform for unexpected perspectives and sharp commentary. The role requires a good dose of curiosity and a broad perspective. “A good columnist looks beyond current affairs. Don’t just read the news. Seek inspiration from other media, exhibitions, and documentaries. Originality often comes from what you observe and interpret around you.”

As one of the judges in the campus columnist contest, De Graaf is looking for someone who will put observations above opinions. “The power of a good column lies in the observation,” she emphasises. Her advice to aspiring columnists is not to start with “I” or a strong opinion, but rather share a fascinating observation. “Tell a story that moves you, something you would like to share with a friend. Let the column blossom from an event and give the reader something to think about.”

She also hopes that the campus columnist will not limit themselves to talking about student life. “A good columnist can also address topics that concern the university as a whole and gain meaning from an academic background.” Her wish is that the columnist looks beyond everyday banalities and finds original ways to address topics from their field. 

Additionally, De Graaf believes that asking for feedback is essential for a columnist to grow. “Let friends and colleagues read your work,” she recommends. That's what she does for her own columns. She often discusses her ideas indirectly with her students and lets her husband, who is a fast reader, verify if her message comes across clearly. “It is important to keep challenging yourself and regard things critically.”

Last but not least, De Graaf sees the campus columnist position as a unique opportunity for people who enjoy writing and want to impact others. “It is an opportunity to share your observations, worldview, and, above all, make a difference through storytelling.”

De Graaf's tips on submitting a column for DUB

Choose sharp observations over opinions: A good column is not about your personal opinion, but about what you see. Describe something you have observed and make that description provocative and beautiful.

Stay true to your field: Use the knowledge you've acquired from your studies or expertise, giving readers something to think about.

Wrap the message up in a story: Don't write to moralise others. Instead, tell a story that allows readers to discover that message for themselves.

Keep it short and sweet: Columns are not essays. Write clearly and go straight to the point.

Involve others in your writing process: Test ideas with others and let friends and colleagues read your work. Asking for feedback allows you to sharpen your ideas and texts further. It's a good way to remain critical of your production.

Feed your curiosity: Read different genres, follow all sorts of media, and visit cultural events. Originality often comes from observing what others see and experience.

Do you want to be DUB's Campus Columnist in 2025? You have until December 1, 2024, to participate in our contest by sending two columns in English or Dutch. To learn more, please click here.