by Kelbra Fleiss

Created on: February 18, 2010   Last Updated: February 21, 2010

"Everywhere, every day, someone is changed, perhaps even saved, by words and stories,” states author Roxanne Coady. Stories can lift people up from the deepest of holes and show them the light of day, bringing purpose to their lives. A speaker can tell a story in its entirety or as part of a speech to make a point or bring some humor to the audience. Learning the art of public speaking is fun, especially telling stories where time and practice lead to a skilled delivery. Following are some keys to open the doors to the art of effective storytelling.

*Select a story that you know.

It may be a story about your family, hobby, job, vacation, or experience. A young woman went to a book signing by Sarah Palin, and told the story before a speech group.. It was humorous, descriptive, and interesting as she described the chic 5 ft 2 inch political figure, details about the book, the event itself, the colorful people in line, and the five hour wait during her fifth month of pregnancy. The storyteller related the story with passion and filled with realism.

You may also choose to use another type of story after you master telling what you know. This might be a fable, historical event, a tall tale, or a story that you decide to research. The selection is endless.

*Use the essential six elements - setting, description of characters, plot, conflict, action, climax.

Explain what the characters look like, such as the tall, blond haired, blue-eyed boy with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, and dirty white tennis shoes. Explain the setting, such as the little white cottage by the ocean with it’s broken down fence and the six feet high rough waves, crashing against the sand that glistens under the sunlight. Use the senses; see, hear, touch smell, taste. They give special meaning to the story, so that you can visualize and almost touch the scene of the story.

*Vocal variety/eye contact

The emotion and the speech of the characters in the story need the appropriate tone, pitch, and pace of your voice, such as high, squeaky, quick staccato voice, or deep, slow voice with a drawl. Developing good vocal variety takes practice, well worth the time and effort. Direct your attention on the audience looking at all portions of the room to ensure a good connection to the listeners as you speak.

*Gestures

This element of storytelling is of utmost importance to the story. In the previous reference to the little white cottage by the ocean, the cottage could be described with the hands, as can the rough waves, the picket fence, and the sunlight. Adding the gestures brings the story more to life, and can be mentioned in your notes. 

A storyteller once told a story about forgiveness and later heard a young woman from the audience say, “I know someone I am going out right now and forgive.” A storyteller can indeed reach out and touch someone, and make a momentous change in a life, all through the power of well-orchestrated words. The passion of a story can touch the heart and soul of a listener and has accomplished wonders since the beginning of time.

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