| How to Become a Better Storyteller |
| The first sentence is the hardest part.
As any storyteller (including us editors here at Family Tree) would tell you, you only have a few words to capture your audience’s attention, and you have to keep earning that attention as you go.
Being a good storyteller is essential to making sure family history gets passed down. Many genealogists have unfortunately tried to share family stories, only to have their listeners tune out or walk away. As you gather with family this holiday, here are a few tips for how to be a more effective storyteller. |
| Keep it short. It’s best to swallow this pill right away. Accept that your audience has half of the attention span you’d prefer. Aim for a minute (or less). Practice, but don’t recite. The Moth is a nonprofit organization that has produced live storytelling events, podcasts, books and more for over 25 years. They encourage their participants to memorize the main points of a story but not the whole story. This way the most important information is communicated, but your delivery feels natural and authentic. Beginning. Middle. End. Don't stray from this classic formula. When telling your story, make sure you introduce a situation with stakes, and then make sure that situation is resolved at the end. It doesn’t have to be a happy ending, but as the Moth writes, meandering endings kill a story.
Craft the perfect first line. Spend some time thinking about an interesting beginning to your story. Ask yourself: is your opening line one that would interest someone with zero interest or background in family history?
Use. Visuals.
If you have an item or photo that goes along with your story that can safely be passed around, bring it! Or, consider keeping a picture on your phone you can show your listeners.
Bring it home.
It’s human nature to be more interested in stories that relate to us personally. If possible, choose stories that relate to a specific person, tradition, object, meal or anything else that is in your family currently.
We wish you safe, happy and story-filled celebrations!
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