A good storyteller captivates his audience. A true storyteller enhances the actual story by making an art form out of the telling of the story.

Watch good storytellers and watch for the elements of good storytelling. What is it that you like about their performance? What elements do you think work well and that also suit your style and delivery of a good story?

Storytelling is at the center of our wonderful oral tradition. Myths, fables, fairy tales, even sermons, are all part of an art that has been handed down through the years by word of mouth. Each culture has their oral tradition and today we can bring all of that together to pass on our knowledge of people, places, and the experience of being human to other people.

As a storyteller you assemble your skills to deliver your unique insight into humanity. Good storytelling is powerful and can motivate people as well as entertain them. Your influence as a storyteller is beyond words, and it is your words, body language, facial expressions, and interpretations that can take an ancient story and make it relevant to today's audiences.

Here are some ways to take storytelling from a craft to an art:

1) Choose the best stories for your talents.-
Select stories that are a good match for your storytelling skills. Some stories lend themselves to being told rather than read. Be selective in your choice of stories and then put yourself into the mix by being the one to pass on this excellent oral tradition of storytelling.

2)Use your skills to show the setting.-
Set the scene, especially as it contributes to the mood and spirit of the story.

3)Bring the characters to life. -
Characterization is very important. Use dialog an expression to make it seem as though they are right there with you and your audience.

4)Use transitions to reveal the story. -
Accentuate the plot so that your audience can experience the rise and fall pattern of the story. Present it so they are right there with you through your sequence of events.

5)Be aware of your audience. -
Engage your audience in your story and keep them in view so that you can gauge their comprehension and enjoyment of your audience. If your audience is made up of children, consider their developmental level in your storytelling.

6) Practice your pacing.-
Practice how you will put together your words, movement, and facial expressions so that they work for you, resulting in an artful blend of storytelling elements. You might consider videotaping yourself to work on your art.

There is something magical about storytelling. Good storytelling is an art. You can be the artist by considering these points and incorporating them in your art of storytelling.

Learn more about this author, E.M.Robinson.
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