Presenting an engaging tale . . .From Reading to Presenting Long ago, folk tales such as “The Indian and the Hundred Cows” were passed down by word of mouth through storytelling. Early storytellers combined music, dance, stories, and poetry to pass on important information.

Storytelling

Presenting an engaging tale . . .Today, many folk tales have been written down, but professional storytellers still perform these and other stories at schools, libraries, and festivals. Professional storytellers use costumes, props, gestures, and expressions to entertain their audiences.

Storytelling

Presenting an engaging tale . . .When you tell your friends about something exciting that happened to you, you are telling a story too.

Storytelling

B a s i c s i n a B o x

GUIDELINES & STANDARDS Storytelling

To prepare a useful script

• select or prepare a written version of the story

• mark individual lines with appropriate gestures, movements, and tone of voice

• indicate changes in mood and scene

• include a description of the setting, props, and costumes

To present a successful performance

• memorize the story (though not necessarily word-for-word from the script)

• consider the needs and interests of the audience members and maintain eye contact with them

• speak clearly, varying your voice as necessary

• incorporate body movements, facial expressions, props, and costumes as needed

Telling a Story

1 Planning Your PerformanceChoose a story you would love to tell. For instance, you might choose a favorite fable, folk tale, or legend. You might also choose to tell your own story about something that happened to you. Be sure to choose a story that strongly interests you.

Developing Your Performance1. Tighten the plot. Outline your own story or

work with a published one. Analyze the story for any subplots you need to get rid of in order to concentrate on a single, clearly developed theme.

2. Learn your story. You don’t need to memorize every word in the story you plan to tell. However, you should read the story or your outline several times so you know it very well.

Developing Your Performance3. Think of the story as a series of movie

scenes. Like a movie director, you must interpret the characters and events in the story to make them come to life. Identify the opening scene, the middle scenes and the ending scene. How does each scene look and sound?

Developing Your Performance

4. Signal the ending. How can you make sure the audience recognizes the ending? You might change the tone of your voice or use a statement such as “The moral of this fable is . . . .”

After choosing a story to tell and planning how to shape it, prepare a script to guide your performance.

Telling a Story

2 Developing Your Script

Preparing the Script

1. Write out the story as a script. After

planning the story and making sure the plot

is tightly focused, you need to prepare a

script. Write out your own story or photocopy

a published story. Leave large margins and

extra space between the lines, if possible.

Preparing the Script

2. Give an overview of any props or costumes needed. At the top of the script, describe any props or costumes you want to use.

3. Mark the script. Add directions for gestures, tone of voice, facial expressions, and movements to specific sections of the story.

3 Practicing and PresentingPractice reading your story aloud several times, possibly in front of a mirror. Change any words that sound awkward. Eventually, you should be able to tell your story without looking at your script. Your goal is not to memorize the story word for word, but to learn it so well that you can comfortably tell it to others.

Telling a Story

Telling a Story

Find a practice audience of one or two people, and rehearse your story.

3 Practicing and Presenting

Use body movement to get the audience’s attention before you begin.

Make eye contact with the audience.

Speak clearly at a comfortable pace.

Use a different voice for each character.

Use props that are large enough to be seen from the back of the room.

Telling a Story

3 Practicing and Presenting

Telling a Story

4 Refining Your PerformanceTARGET SKILL EVALUATING YOUR INTERPRETIVE CHOICESThink about the choices you made as you performed your story. Do these choices make your interpretation work? Here are some items to consider.

Telling a Story

4 Refining Your PerformanceTARGET SKILL EVALUATING YOUR INTERPRETIVE CHOICES Pacing. Is the pace too fast? too slow?

Should some parts be delivered more slowly than others? If so, which ones?

Volume. Is your voice loud enough? too loud?

Telling a Story

4 Refining Your PerformanceTARGET SKILL EVALUATING YOUR INTERPRETIVE CHOICES

Props and costumes. Do the props and costumes help your audience understand the story?

Telling a Story

4 Refining Your PerformanceTARGET SKILL EVALUATING YOUR INTERPRETIVE CHOICES

Movements and expressions. Are your body movements and facial expressions effective? Are there others that might help make the story more enjoyable?