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StoryTelling Tips

Storytelling is the art of portraying in words, images, and sounds what has happened in real or imagined events. The oldest forms of storytelling were oral. Later, stories could be conveyed by sculptures or writings on stone, wood, or parchment.

Modern technology adds to all of the previous techniques for storytelling the motion picture, together with oral dialog, images, sound effects, and musical accompaniment. But whether in olden times or in modern times, the challenge of storytelling was the same: How do you get across the complexity in the events of the story?

Last Updated - 1st December 2005

Finding Your Story

Your first step is to find a story. Not just any
A story for telling could be

a folktale, meaning a story from the oral tradition.

a “literary tale,” by a single author, originally

a real-life story, from history or personal

For most beginners, folktales are easiest, because
You can gather folktales from books, storytelling
Start with short tales—one to three pages of text,
Professional storytellers must be careful about

Preparing Your Story

Storytellers learn their stories in many different

However you do it, you must absorb the story until

Some parts of the story can be memorized word for

Instead, picture the story. See the scenes

It’s best to practice your story with a “mirror.”

First practice to get the storyline. Your version

Use repetition. In folktales, events often repeat

Alongside repetition, use variety. Vary the tone,

Use gestures, but only ones that help the story.

In your story, pay special attention to beginnings

Endings should be clear, so your listeners know

Pay special attention also to how you portray your

When portraying two characters talking together,

You’ll tell stories at your best if you prepare

To project and sustain your voice, you must breathe

Don’t push your voice too hard or use it unnaturally

Pronounce each sound of each word distinctly. Tongue

Telling Your Story

Don’t think you have to be perfect the first time

If possible, tell your story first to friends

Storytellers have their own styles, differing

A good storytelling space is comfortable, intimate,

Give your listeners the full force of you. Aim

Storytelling is magic in part because it’s

Look them in the eyes. If there are too many of

As you tell your story, take your time, and give

Storytelling is interactive. As your listeners

Above all, trust yourself, your audience, and

Final Hints

Here are some ways to go further with storytelling.

See and hear as many good storytellers as you

Read folktale collections. You’ll not only find

Take a class. Many colleges, universities, and

Join a local storytelling group. Many communities

Disclaimer: The Storytelling Tips / Information presented story. Find a story you love! You’ll tell it often, and you want to enjoy it every time.
This could be a fairy tale, hero tale, humorous tale, tall tale, wisdom tale, animal story or fable, love story, ghost story, myth, or legend.

meant to be read. experience. they’re made for telling. They’re simple, direct, and lively, with built-in memory aids. So from here on, we’ll focus on folktales.

recordings, and word of mouth. Find books and recordings in both the adult and the children’s sections of your library and bookstore.

or a few minutes of recording. Look for stories with clear action, strong characters, and simple structure. Of course, pick a story that also suits your listeners, if you know who they’ll be. Modern retellings are easiest to work from, because they are already refined and adapted for listeners in our culture. But you too can alter a story to suit yourself or your audience.

copyright protection on stories they wish to tell, but this is less important for an amateur. If you have relied on only one version of the story, it is courtesy to at least mention your source. Be aware, though, that some storytellers—including many native Americans—feel you’ve stolen their stories if you tell them without personal permission.
ways. Some read or listen to a story over and over. Some meditate on it. Some type or write out the story. Some draw charts. Some begin telling the story at once. it becomes second nature. Find the best way for you. word—beautiful beginnings and endings, important dialog, colorful expressions, rhymes and repeated phrases. But don’t try to memorize an entire folktale that way. Strict reciting creates a distance from your listeners that is hard to bridge. in your mind, as clearly as you can. Later, these pictures will help you recreate your story as you tell it—whether or not you consciously call them to mind. This can be a real mirror, or an audio or video recorder, or a friend—anything that helps you “see” how you’re doing. won’t convey everything from the story you found, but it must convey enough to make sense. Then, once the story is straight in your mind, focus on how you tell it. themselves in threes—a magic number. Pay special attention to repeated rhymes and phrases. Repetition helps your listeners stick with the story by providing familiar landmarks. the pitch, and the volume of your voice, your speed, your rhythms, your articulation (smooth or sharp). Use silences. Remember, variety catches and holds attention. Use them to mime the action, or just for emphasis. Make them big! Gestures keep the eyes on you. and endings. You may want to practice an introduction along with the story. This introduction can tell something about the story or about you. But don’t give away the plot! that your story’s over without your telling them. You can do this by slowing down and adding emphasis. For example, many story endings use a “slow three”—“happily ever after,” “that’s the end of that,” “and they never saw him again.” characters. Good characters bring a story to life—so put life into them, with face, voice, gesture, body posture. Try to make each of them different enough so they’re easily told apart. try a trick called “cross-focus": Make each one face a different 45-degree angle. not only your story but yourself. Your voice and body are your instrument, and it helps to use them well. deeply and correctly. To check this, place your hand on your stomach. As you inhale and your lungs expand, you should feel your stomach push out. Many people do the opposite, holding in their stomachs and breathing only with their upper chests. Also be sure to keep your back straight, so your lungs can expand fully. (except maybe when speaking as a character.) To avoid strain, relax your throat and jaw muscles, and the rest of your body as well. A big, loud sigh will help this. Also try the “lion’s yawn”—open your mouth wide and stick your tongue out as far as it goes. twisters are good for making the tongue more nimble. you tell your story. It’s not likely! But, if you love your story and have prepared it reasonably well, you will surely give pleasure to your listeners and yourself. And, each time you tell the story, you and your story will improve. in a small group. As you gain confidence, perform for larger, less intimate groups. Before long, you’ll think nothing of telling to a large room full of strangers. widely. If a suggestion here doesn’t fit your idea of how you want to tell stories, ignore it. Don’t be afraid to try something different, if it feels right. and free of distractions. Check the space ahead of time, so you can spot problems and arrange any special needs—a stool, a glass of water. You may also want time alone just beforehand, to collect yourself, or to “warm up” your voice and body. your voice at the back row. Make your words ring. Avoid verbal trash like “um” or “y’know.” Sit or stand, but face your audience squarely, and with a straight back. No fidgeting, hands in pockets, or shifting from foot to foot. personal—so make a personal contact with your listeners. Talk to them—not at them—and don’t be afraid to talk with them. them, or you can’t see them all, look mostly at the ones in front. If some aren’t paying attention, focus on those who are. time to your listeners—time to “see” the story, time to laugh, time to feel, time to reflect, time to hang on the edge of their seats for what comes next. It’s easy to go too fast, hard to go too slow. If you’re losing their attention, you may need to slow down! After the story, be sure to leave time for the audience to appreciate you. respond to your story, let your story respond to your listeners. Make your voice and gestures “bigger” or “smaller.” Stretch or shrink parts of the story. Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t, so next time you can change, add, or subtract. your story. Remember, anyone who comes to hear a storyteller is already on your side. Just being a storyteller is magic—even before you say a word. can. You’ll pick up performance techniques, new stories, and general storytelling magic. Storytelling festivals are wonderful events held all over North America and the United Kingdom. stories to tell, you’ll develop a feel for what makes a folktale. This will help if you want to alter a tale or create a new one. other organizations sponsor them. This is a fairly “safe” way to begin storytelling, with support and helpful comments. have groups that meet to try out stories or organize performances. align="center"> and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Tips And Treats . com and/or its partners.

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