Download Article
Download Article
Explore this Article
IN THIS ARTICLE
Other Sections
X
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time.
This article has been viewed 106,279 times.
Learn more...
Interested in teaching children how to tell a story? Running an English classroom and it’s time to teach the unit on narrative writing? Whatever the reason, you may need some help teaching storytelling. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get students up to speed so they can write beautiful narratives in no time. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about teaching storytelling.
Steps
-
Teach others the art of telling stories by first becoming an engaging storyteller. Take a storytelling class. Sign up for a storytelling workshop at a college or community center. [1] X Research source
- Practice telling stories. Strengthen your storytelling skills by taking the opportunity to tell relevant stories whenever possible to your colleagues, students, friends, relatives and neighbors.
Advertisement
-
Notice the reactions of others to your stories. Attentiveness, laughter, an emotional response and/or sustained eye contact are indications that you are achieving your storytelling goal. A listener's attempts to change the subject, fidgety mannerisms and general inattentiveness may indicate a need to adjust the pace, tone, details or other elements of your storytelling technique. [2] X Research source
-
Make sure your audience is tracking along. If you are losing the attention of your listeners, make sure that your story is relevant to your audience and that it has a clear beginning, middle and an end. Identify your reason for telling the story and whether it will meet the needs of your listener. [3] X Research source
- Use props, sounds and visual tools. If teaching young children, a story about a cat with a strange meow will capture their attention more if accompanied by your enactment of the actual meow. To persuade adults to conform to your opinion or to sell a product, using pictures and presentation software may enhance the story and help you to achieve the storytelling goal.
Advertisement
-
You’ll know you’re ready when others love your stories. You will know that you have mastered storytelling when children ask that you retell a story or adults ask you to share the story with others. Other indications that you are a storytelling master are sustained engagement on the part of your listeners and/or positive changes in behavior as a result of telling a story.
-
Assess the needs of the specific age group and plan accordingly. Give explanations and structure to children. Young children need structured activities, continual guidance and verbal instructions.
- Provide a syllabus, handout and reading materials to adults. Teens and adults are more self-directed and benefit from materials that they can read on their own, such as an explanation of storytelling techniques and upcoming assignments.
-
Use your skills to communicate your knowledge. Share the knowledge and skills that you gained in the process of becoming an effective storyteller. [4] X Research source
- Ask the class to think of an interesting story. Provide ideas related to the particular age group and goal of the class. A public speaking class intended to improve an adults social life will tell different types of stories than a group of salespeople trying to sell a product.
Advertisement
-
Provide your students with info they need to improve. Observe your own engagement while listening to students' stories, as well as classmates' reactions. Pay particular attention to the storytelling speed, tone, details, gestures, props and graphics tools. [5] X Research source
- Encourage students by providing positive feedback. Public speaking is a prevalent fear, so comment on things that students did well to generate a desire to continue perfecting their storytelling skills.
- Provide constructive criticism. Instead of saying that a story was boring, draw the student's attention to areas of the story that can be enlivened by adding interesting details or voice inflections.
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
You Might Also Like
50+ Creative and Funny Tinder Bios to Start a Conversation
Everything You Need to Know to Get into Berghain
How to
Take the Perfect Thirst Trap
Unstable Unicorns Rules: A Complete Game Guide
How to
Dress Up for a Disco Party
How to
Go Clubbing
All About the Hiyakasudere (Teasedere) Archetype in Anime & Manga
How to
Make Your Own TV Show
How to
Dance Disco
How to
Reach Bannerghatta National Park from Bangalore
How to
Build a Float
How to
Tell a Story
How to
Get Cast on "Love Is Blind" and Find Your Other Half
How to
Be Able to Create a Story
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/30-storytelling-tips-for-teachers/
- ↑ https://ncte.org/statement/teaching-storytelling-position-statements/
- ↑ https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/30-storytelling-tips-for-teachers/
- ↑ https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plans/teaching-content/tell-us-tale-teaching-students-be-storytellers/
- ↑ https://www.mensaforkids.org/teach/lesson-plans/the-art-of-storytelling/
About This Article
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 106,279 times.
115 votes - 89%
Co-authors: 7
Updated: November 30, 2023
Views: 106,279
Categories: Arts and Entertainment
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 106,279 times.
Did this article help you?
Advertisement
About This Article
Co-authors: 7
Updated: November 30, 2023
Views: 106,279
89%
of readers found this article helpful
.
115 votes - 89%
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
Quizzes
Do I Have a Dirty Mind Quiz
Take Quiz
Am I a Good Kisser Quiz
Take Quiz
Rizz Game: Test Your Rizz
Take Quiz
What's Your Red Flag Quiz
Take Quiz
Am I Smart Quiz
Take Quiz
How Insecure Am I Quiz
Take Quiz
You Might Also Like
50+ Creative and Funny Tinder Bios to Start a Conversation
Everything You Need to Know to Get into Berghain
How to
Take the Perfect Thirst Trap
Unstable Unicorns Rules: A Complete Game Guide
Featured Articles
How to
Enjoy Your Preteen Years
What Exactly Does “You Do You” Mean?
How to
Get Six Pack Abs Fast
How to
Save Money as a Kid
How to
Get Longer Hair Fast
How to
Get Glowing Skin in Just One Week
Trending Articles
"Hot to Go!" by Chappell Roan: The Flirtatious Lyrics & Their Meaning
Diamond, Platinum & Golden Birthdays: What Are They?
How to
Drink and Taste a Beer Like an Expert
How to
Get a Girl to Like You in Middle School: A Complete Guide
What Does “Very Demure” Mean on TikTok? An Essential Guide
What Do Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" Lyrics Really Mean?
Featured Articles
170+ Deep, Heartfelt & Passionate Love Messages to Send Your Guy
What Does My Dream Mean Quiz
How to
Accept Your Body
What to Do When a Dog Attacks
How to
Give the Perfect Kiss
Everything You Need to Know About Skibidi & Skibidi Toilet
Featured Articles
How to
Ask Great Questions and Have Better Conversations
150+ Sweet & Playful Nicknames to Call Your Crush
How to
Fart Quietly
How to
Schedule Your Day: Examples, Tips & More
The Best Flirtatious Texts that’ll Keep You on His Mind
How to
Look Your Best
Watch Articles
How to
Make French Fries
How to
Clean a Pan with Baking Soda
Castling in Chess: A Complete Guide
How to
Sort Laundry by Colors
How to
Make Indian Curry
How to
Get Stains Off Eyeglasses
Trending Articles
How to
Rename AirPods or AirPods Pro + Troubleshooting Tips
How to
Make a Girl Weak in the Knees
How to
Get Attractive Eyes Naturally & Without Makeup (for Men)
Harry Potter House Quiz for Kids
Top 11 Reasons Scorpios Get So Much Hate
How to
Renew a Leather Couch: Restore Color & Revive Your Aging Leather
Quizzes
What Disney Princess Am I Quiz
Take Quiz
Do I Have a Phobia Quiz
Take Quiz
Guess My Age Quiz
Take Quiz
Am I a Genius Quiz
Take Quiz
Depression Test
Take Quiz
What Human Emotion Am I Quiz
Take Quiz