Storytelling in Speeches

Do you remember storytelling from your childhood? I do. Some stories are as clear in my mind as if it were yesterday. I can remember who was telling the story, what it was about, what the actual words were and most of all how I felt listening to it. And that's the power of good storytelling. It lives on in the minds of the listener often for years and years.

The next most important truth is that no matter how old we are we can still be captivated by a story told well. That's why including stories as part of any speech you write will enhance it.

Obviously there are some guidelines to follow. It's not just any story you tell or of any length. And there are specific ways to improve your storytelling.

So let's get started -

How to choose what story to tell

Always begin with your audience. You need to know who they are, what their likes and dislikes are, to get an idea of what you can and can't tell them. The treatment or how you tell your story will vary between audiences, just as humor does. What is funny to one group may not be to another. It is safer to know rather than guess and risk silence.

Always fit your story to your theme or topic. Storytelling without purpose will go down like the proverbial lead balloon. Tell stories that provide examples for the points you are making.

Make your storytelling personal. The audience will love you for it. Use your own experiences to poke a little fun at yourself. Exposing your fears, habits, or misunderstandings lets the audience identify with you. You stop being the remote expert and become one of them.

Here's an example from me to get you going.

It's a true story from my youth. I've told it to students as part of preparing them for formal interviews. It's from the what-not-to-do department. It had the effect of making them laugh, relax and learn.

• Keeping it short. If you go on too long, the impact is lost and you stray too far from your original purpose which was to give an effective example of a point you were making.



• Eliminating all the inconsequential detail. The rule is if it doesn't add to the story - cut it out. Too much fluff weakens the impact.



• Practicing your story. Learn it rather than read it. Good storytelling is active and direct. Reading will not give you immediate contact with your audience because you have to keep returning to a text. Without it, you're free to deliver one line to the man at the back, an aside to the woman at the front etc. etc. The more practice you give yourself the better you'll become.



• Varying your voice. Try different voices for different characters. Find where to pause, where to stress a word and where to go faster and do what you're saying. For example, if you're talking about being happy then reflect it in your body, in your voice. Show it as well as tell it! Remember great storytelling is active rather than passive.
  
  For more specific information on characterization techniques click here.



• Rehearsing in front of a few trusted friends to get their feedback. Find out if your storytelling works before trying it out in a more public arena.

	Enter your search terms Submit search form
	Web www.write-out-loud.com