anecdote

Short, first person story/example from real life, often designed to increase awareness.

Anecdotes are the core of social networking, such as blogs, and can add color to case studies.

Typically, experts adapt and refine anecdotes into inspiration examples or best practices, often highlighting the role of a hero.

Anecdotes as Learning Evaluation

Anecdotes can be used to evaluate a formal learning program by "showing" that a learning goal has been met, although many criticize their subjective nature (preferring measurable results). Still, for the measurement of the development of big skills, they might be more persuasive than even improvements in 360 measurements, and they are certainly quicker.