In Keeping With the Tradition of Storytelling
What is storytelling?
- A way of conveying information in words and images about almost any subject
- A tradition shared in every culture, throughout all of history
- A means of entertainment, cultural and historical preservation, and instilling moral values
- A means of expressing thoughts, opinions, and facts
- A timeless, geographical-less, social-strata-less, cultural-less, powerful means of communication
Why is storytelling important?
- Anthropological, sociological, and psychological studies reveal that every person has a desire, and perhaps even a need to share and hear stories.
- By sharing and hearing stories, we learn to understand each other at a deeper level.
- By creating a deeper level of understanding we are able to come together as a community of individuals, appreciating both the differences and similarities we share.
What makes a story a good story?
- There is no single answer that is readily agreed upon by everyone.
- Some suggestions:
A good story is one that connects the storyteller and the audience* in some way- basic truths, morality, mortality, emotions, laughter, ponder-ability …
A good story has to have some substance to it
A good story has to have some action- conflict, resolution, adventure, movement …
A good story creates vivid images- imagination, embellishment, exaggeration, visual …
A good story has strength- sincerity, authenticity, appeals to the senses, tugs at the emotions, interesting, not wimpy, believability factor (?), surprises, unpredictability …
A good story suits the audience- time, place, setting, situation, audience make-up, purpose directed …
A good story is one the teller loves to tell and to tell it well- about things the teller cares about, never about something the teller does not care about
Where does one find good stories?
- The very best place to find good stories is your own life. You are the greatest resource for your own personal stories. Why? We tell our personal stories with greater passion and energy than when we tell the stories of others. Passion is contagious! We are more likely to connect (inspire, motivate, entertain …) when we speak with conviction and enthusiasm.
- Troll for good stories: look, listen, read, search, create files (either in hard copy or soft/mental copy), make notes, …
- Turn your imagination loose, with freedom, creativity, sensitivity, purposefulness, …
How does one become a good/great storyteller?
- Find good, enjoyable stories to tell. If you like the story you are telling it will be obvious in the ways you tell the story.
- Find good storytellers and learn from them. Watch and listen to them as they tell the stories- facial expressions, mannerisms, gestures, vocal patterns, rhythm of delivery, …
- Choose the stories you will tell with the audience you will tell them to in mind.
- Practice your storytelling as often as you get the opportunity to do so.
- Know your stories inside and out. The main reason for this is to give you confidence as you speak. In addition, when you know your story you are free to focus your energy on your delivery. You can be powerful and memorable.
- Engage with your audience, creating an event, not just a session. Establish rapport. Maintain good eye contact. Share your energy and enthusiasm with them and gather energy and enthusiasm from them.
- Learn to appreciate the “power of a pause”. The inclusion of a dramatic pause can help create and air of expectancy and anticipation. Also- a well timed rhetorical question can enhance a storytelling.
- Use good pacing. A confident storyteller does not need to be in too big of a hurry. Speak slowly enough to allow the story to be absorbed. But, not so slowly that the audience minds wander away.
- Present a presence that draws people to you because they want to hear what you are going to tell them. A warm and inviting presence is much better than a cold and repulsive one. Allow your gestures to be easy and calm unless the story you are telling dictates otherwise.
- Permit your stories to speak to your audience in their own ways. Avoid (if at all possible) the “moral of the story” finishes. If the story is told in search of the moral, as a means of teaching, ask your audience, “What do you think the moral of this story is?”
- Quit when it is time to quit. It is best to leave your audience wanting more than it is to leave your audience dreading more.
*For the sake of this presentation an “audience” may be referring to a one-to-one storytelling experience or a group of any size