An Indispensable Public Speaking Skill - Creative Storytelling

Can you think of a time when you were deeply touched by a speech or a presentation? It
was probably because the message was woven in the speech through the powerful art of
Creative Storytelling.

Storytelling is the most powerful speaking tool you have in your public speaking skills
toolbox.

You might ask, "Why is storytelling key to becoming a great speaker?"

Because people are hungry for stories. It is part of our very being. The storyteller brings a
story to life and transports the listener to another time, location, or situation. When a story
reaches our hearts with deep meaning, it takes hold of us. We remember the experience
long after the story has been told. A story provides the "hook to hang on" that a good
speech must have to be remembered.

So, how can you develop the key public speaking skill of storytelling?

1. Look For stories Around You

They are everywhere. It could be an experience your friend shared with you or an event you
witnessed. Get into the habit of collecting and recording stories. Maintain a story log that
you can access when writing your next speech. Your collection could include biographical
stories or memoirs of famous people, your personal stories, classic stories you have grown
up with, poems and original stories you write.

2. Selecting The Right Story For Your Presentation

A story is an excellent way to entertain and engage your audience. Most importantly, its
purpose is to teach a valuable lesson. As you prepare your speech ask yourself, "Who is my
audience and what effect do I want my story to have on them? How will my story benefit
the listeners? Will it convey the purpose of my speech? When you align your story with the
audience and the message you want to convey, your public speaking skills will rise to a
whole new level.

3. Developing Your Story

Can you remember a time when you heard a really great story but when you retold it didn't
have the same impact? The story is not just words; what the story teller added to it was very
subtle. He intensified the parts of the story to relay the emotional impact you experienced.
As you develop your story, identify the elements that you want to intensify and exaggerate
so it creates the emotion you want. Choose your words carefully so you can create a vivid
picture in the minds on your audience and stimulate their senses. We all think in pictures
and your words have the power to trigger the emotions you want from the audience.

4. Bring Your Story To Life

Your story is a performance. Infuse life into your story with your body language. Use your
voice to create the atmosphere as the story progresses. You can create dialog by using
different voices for different characters. Use your gestures and facial expressions to
enhance the story. Another techniques you can use is pacing which means the volume and
rate at which you speak and the progression of the action in the story. For example, you
could speak really fast to create urgency or slow down to create suspense.

5. Practice Your Story Till It Becomes Your Own

Once you settle on a story, you will want to spend plenty of time with it. Practice a story
verbally, over and over again, until you get comfortable with the phrases you use to express
your thoughts. Do your words paint the pictures you want your audience to see or create
the mood you wish them to experience? Perform it out aloud so you can tell if your story
flows and whether your body language solidifies the power of the story. Remember,
practice is vital to developing the fundamental public speaking skill of storytelling.

6. Know When To Stop

Have you ever had that experience when someone tells a good joke and you are laughing
but then they mess it up by repeating it again? It feels like you are being robbed of the
experience. Once you finish your story, stop! Don't try and explain it. Let the audience savor
it. Let their thoughts linger on so they can enjoy it, think about what has been said and draw
their own meaning from it. By reflecting on it they internalize the lesson and will remember
your speech long after its been given.