Ten Ways to Become a Captivating Storyteller

People everywhere have one thing in common regardless of their language, culture, or location on the planet. We love to tell and to be told stories.

Stories inform, entertain, engage people, and bring their world back to reflection, and in doing so, they are valuable tools for teachers, speakers, parents, and anyone else who wants to interact with others more effectively. Use them often and skillfully and watch people come to life in your presence.

Here are ten effective tips to make sure your stories are told well and captivate your listeners.

1. Watch for stories throughout the day. Stories are everywhere, so take a notepad with you and jot down the story in bullet points. Find out later. If you have a logging-capable smartphone, you can use it to record any story ideas that come to mind throughout the day.

2. Know the story you are going to tell. When you really know the story line, you can play with it to suit the audience. I find that I never tell the same story twice and that’s the way it should be. The story line remains the same, but the details may vary.

3. Don’t rush the story by talking too fast. Relax and enjoy the narration if so. It’s your time to shine. There are two temptations to avoid when telling your story, rush it and drag it out. Be aware of your audience as you tell the story. Their body language will help you judge your pace of narration.

4. Don’t be afraid to make it your own. You can add or subtract detail and add texture and suspense with your voice, gestures, and facial expressions. In short, you become an actor in your own drama.

5. Tell the story, don’t read it. Anyone can read a story, not everyone can tell a story well. When you tell a story, you make a personal connection with the audience and can captivate the audience in no time.

6. Use your voice for dramatic effect. It is the instrument you will use to set the mood, interest and emotion. If you tell your story in a monotone voice, your audience will hit the replay button quickly.

7. Never let a story drag on. You want your story to be short, crisp, and to the point.

8. Don’t get bogged down in the details. Keep up the story line. You want to avoid the “Do it” response.

9. Insert stories into the general conversation whenever you get the chance. I heard the other day… I recently read in the paper about… I saw a man/woman in the coffee shop and… These are just a few of the many ways to insert your story into a conversation. It is a great practice for you.

10. Rarely explain your story to your listeners. Let the story speak for itself. There may be times when you can give a brief summary of the story’s lesson, but it’s usually best to let the story speak to the listener where they are in their life. Often the message you want them to receive is not the message they receive. Who can say that the message they receive is not the one they should have received?

When the situation is right, it’s really an advantage to get the audience involved in the telling of the story. This is especially true for speakers, teachers, and presenters. You can have a lot of fun with an interactive story. To get an idea of ​​what I mean, see the resource box below.

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