Zen College Life

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Story telling seems to be a lost art these days. In this dog eat dog, work a day world everything is moving so quickly, we have really forgotten how to really tell a story. Well not anymore. I’m here to bring it back. By following the techniques that I have described here, you can turn any story into a work of art. Think going to the grocery store is boring? Well it’s not if you say it isn’t. Pay attention to these parts and techniques of storytelling, and you’ll see how to turn a boring routine trip to the grocery store into a wild and crazy adventure.

First I will talk about the layout of the story, and then I will get to the delivery. Buckle up, cause you’re about to learn one of those life lessons right now!

Protagonist

We all know what a protagonist is, right? He is generally the main character, and sometimes the hero. The protagonist is clearly defined, and usually undergoes some sort of conflict. This conflict requires that he grows, makes changes, or somehow figures something out, before the conflict is resolved. (or in the case of tragedy where the fortune of the protagonist is usually downfall, as a result of some fatal flaw…)

In order for your story to be great, you must convince the listener that he or she is the protagonist. He must be able to put himself in the shoes of the protagonist. Now don’t take this lightly. This can be very challenging. But when practiced correctly this can be the most powerful part of storytelling.

Growth and Desire

Protagonists don’t just resolve conflict as it comes. If they did there would be no story. There must be growth, desire, or some sort of experience that leads to change, passion, or any motivational drive to resolve the conflict. The Protagonist has to fall in love before he questions how far he will go to save the girl. He has to believe in something before he is willing to risk it all. He has to be passionate about humanity before he will sacrifice it all for his citizens.

It is important not only that you, as the storyteller, understand this growth and desire, but that you can express this to your listeners so that as they imagine themselves as the protagonist they can feel this passion, this desire. This is what people in marketing bank on. They convince you that you need what they are selling by putting you in the shoes of their protagonist, as he definitely needs their product. If it works every day in marketing, you can bet it will make your stories much more convincing.

Remember in Rocky (any of the rocky movies really) where he is running through the snow, punching the meat in the freezer, or doing some sort training to some really motivational music (say Eye of the Tiger for instance) and we all wanted to be a boxer? Well his growth in strength and perseverance is what really hooked viewers to him as a character. If you can hook your listeners, you will have them forever.

Climax

This is when the growth or desire has reached its peak. The listener has been built up so much that they are itching for that final climax before the resolution. This is your peak, your high point, the top of the mountain. If your story has kept listeners entertained thus far, here is where you will make it official. A strong climax is what separates the boys from the men, so finish strong and you’ll keep them coming back for more (hahaha, that was so unintentional).

Resolution

Ok, so you’ve presented the protagonist, the problem, the growth, and the climax. Now its all over. The resolution is where you give them the results to the climax, where the problems are resolved. Also this is where it pays off for the protagonist (or not, in the case of the tragedy). This is where you hook them emotionally, attach them to the story. In the case of a funny story, this is where you punch them in the face with the punch line. The listeners reactions as the story is resolved will allow you to see how effective you were, so pay attention. Also this is where you will be payed for your efforts. If they loved it, you’ll know. And you will love them it.

Alright, now that we’ve gotten through the layout, let’s focus on the delivery of the story. If you can’t tell a story correctly, it doesn’t matter how great it is, because no one will ever hear it.

Reason for telling the story

This should come very early in the telling of the story. Nobody wants to sit through a story that they aren’t interested in. If you can’t hook them with your reason for the story, you probably won’t convince them with the actual story, so give them the bait, and see if they bite.

Interaction

A story is alive. It lives as you tell it. Remember this. Your listeners are living your story for the first time as you tell it. Interact with them. Let them understand it, let it respond to them. Pay attention to what works, what causes them to react, so that you can better fit your approach each time.

Timing

If you are an effective storyteller, your listeners will “see” the story as you tell it. They will relive those moments, just as you described them, in their heads. This means that timing is crucial. Take your time with each moment, let them laugh, let them feel, let them reflect. Give them time to hang on the edges of their seats before you give them what comes next.

No story has ever happened as quickly as we told it later. Why does this matter? We tend to speak too quickly. Slow it down. Telling a story quickly is easy. Once you’re in you wanna get to the end, to the punch line. But slow it down. Romance your story a little bit. Give it time to grow. If you are losing their attention, or interest, it could very likely be due to speed.

Don’t just tell your story, Paint it

Do you know why more people watch movies than read books? Because there is no work involved. They see everything and think nothing. If you want your story to be interesting, if you want your listeners eating every word you say, you need to paint your story, not just speak it. Your description of the events should be conveyed in such a way that if 5 different people described what they saw, each account would be the same. If you can achieve this, you are well on your way to a great story.

Connect the Dots

A problem many people have with their stories is that the listener “just doesn’t get it.” To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, take time in your story to ensure that each statement has been lead to by your previous statement. Allow your listener to follow your trail of crumbs, don’t just pull them to the finish line.

It’s all about style, baby

As you practice telling your story, and pay attention to what attracts your listeners, you will undoubtedly develop a certain technique, or style, of storytelling. Take time to develop your style, to master your own art of presenting the story. When people can put style to their storytelling, they will appeal to the listeners and engage them in the story.

Well, that’s about all I have in me for now, so I’ll leave you with some quick tips. If you get nothing else from this, remember these:

Quick Tips

• Speak slowly, and clearly.

• Avoid verbal vomit like “um,” “y’know,” and the excessive use of the word and.

• Don’t fidget with things, or keep your hands in your pockets. Square up to the audience and speak to them directly.

• Make eye contact with the people you are telling the story to.

• Pay attention to more than just words; Tone and body language could tell a story all by themselves.

• Be passionate about the story; Nobody will care if you don’t.

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