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Guidelines for the Storytelling
Process
Three Stages: Before, During, and After Telling a Story 1) Before telling a story One you have selected a story to tell: Identify one or more turning points, key scenes, dramatic moments, of a story. These are scenes in which important things happen, important decisions are made, and/or important actions are taken. In the process of discovering the key scenes of a story, one might also come to understand, “What is this story really about?” Visualise each episode of the story, and practice describing the episodes. One way to practice is alone, silently, with one's eyes closed. You might write the story in words. You might represent the story visually, in the form of a map or diagram. 2) While telling a story Get to the key scenes in a timely manner. "Step into" characters (role-play), especially during these key scenes. When speaking as a character, look into the eyes of a listener and address her as if she were another character in the story. Doing this invites the listener to join the play, to pretend that she also is a character in the story. One at a time, you can do this with other listeners present also. 3) After telling a story Lead a conversation with the listeners about the story. Ask "open questions", such as, "What did you think about the story?" "How did you feel about the story?" "What did you like about the story?" "What do you remember about the story?" "How do you feel about the ways the characters behaved?" "Might there be something about the story that you might like to change?” "What messages, morals, and meanings do you get from the story?" (encourage each listener to formulate this for him/herself). <end> . |