Storytelling 101

1. Storytelling 101 Lesson 2-Choosing a Good Story Begin

2. Visit The Library Reading lots of different kinds of stories is a great way to find just the right story to tell. There are funny stories, serious stories, and just plain old silly stories. Make sure to pick something that you really like. For more suggestions, ask your librarian. George's mother is trying to teach him to bark like the dog that he is, but he is making the sounds of other animals. When a stingy baker insists that his poor neighbor pay for the smells he has been enjoying, a clever judge determines exactly the right fine. When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works. For more suggestions, click on a book list below. The wolf gives his own outlandish version of what really happened when he tangled with the Three Little Pigs. • Favorite Folk & Fairy Tales • Fairy Tales With a Twist • Fractured Fairy Tales

3. Check The List Use these 6 guidelines to help you find just the right story to tell. Click on the words below to find out more about each one. Length Appeal Characters Plot Wording Action

4. Appeal When choosing a story, think about how much you like it. Would you be willing to tell it over and over again? Would you get bored or tired of telling it after a few times? Is it a story you think others would enjoy hearing? It is important to select a story that you love telling. You will have to tell the story many times. You will need to practice telling the story and then you will tell the story at least five times to participate in the storytelling festival. Check out these fun stories read by actors and actresses by clicking on the link above.

5. Characters Choose stories that have exciting, memorable characters. What makes the characters in the story unique? Are they funny? What traits do they have that make them memorable? Be careful, though, that the story doesn’t have too many characters. If there are too many characters, it can become difficult to remember them all. Examples of great characters include the Three Little Pigs, the Big Bad Wolf, and Little Red Riding Hood. To create your own storybook character, click on the picture to the left.

6. Length The time it takes to tell a story is very important. If it is too long, the audience may start to get restless and lose interest in the story. Try to find a story that takes less than 5 minutes to tell. Remember that it often takes more time to tell a story than to read it. When we tell a story, we often use movement and gestures to emphasize characters or memorable parts of the story. By adding these actions, we add to the time it takes to tell the story. If you are participating in the Storytelling Festival, practice telling the story many times to make sure it can be told in less than 5 minutes. Time your story by clicking on the stopwatch. You will be linked to an online stopwatch.

7. Plot The plot of a story is a series of events that take place in the story. Choose stories where the plot is easy to follow. Are there too many events taking place? Is the plot complicated? It is easy to lose your place in storytelling if the plot is too complicated. In addition, the audience may get confused if the plot is to hard to follow. Click on the book to create your own story.

8. Action In storytelling, it is important to consider the action of the story. Will the events of the story have enough action to keep the audience’s attention? Will they want to know what happens next? http://myon.com/ Click on the link above, sign in for MyON, to listen to different fiction stories. Compare the action that takes place in each story.

9. Wording Using words that are descriptive and exciting help to make the story entertaining and interesting for the audience. Choose stories that use adjectives and adverbs that will help the listener create a visual picture. An example of creating a visual picture with words might be describing the Troll in the Three Billy Goats Gruff as an ugly, green troll under the bridge with a wart on his nose. That description helps the listener picture the troll in their mind. Also, it may be more difficult to learn a story that has rhyming text. Proceed with caution when using these types of stories for storytelling. Try out some fun word games by clicking on the link.

10. Let’s Review! When choosing a story, consider . . . • Pick something you really like. • Make sure you can tell it in less than 5 minutes. • Find a story with memorable characters. • Select a story with a plot that’s easy to follow. • Choose something with action. • Use words to create a visual picture.

11. HOORAY! You have completed Lesson 2-Choosing a Good Story. Now you can complete the Story Selection Checklist in class or at home.