The Pathways learning experience—also places a high value on storytelling in speeches. Here are a few tips from “Connect with Storytelling,” an elective project available in all 11 paths in Pathways.
- Use vivid descriptions. Descriptive language that evokes specific imagery helps paint a mental picture for your audience. “A good storyteller’s eloquent descriptions can transport [your] audience to another place and time.”
- Consider your tone. When deciding on your story’s content, be aware of the occasion and your audience. Share a story that resonates positively. “A story told at a wedding or funeral may be moving, funny, or both. The most important component in choosing your topic is relating it to the audience and the event.”
- Use expressive dialogue. If dialogue is part of your story, share the words that are said. “Write it out in the format of a script with characters saying the lines. The best storytellers take on different roles as they tell a story.”
Jesse Scinto, MS, DTM is a Fulbright scholar and deputy director of the strategic communication program at Columbia University in New York City. He’s also the founder/CEO of Public Sphere, a leadership communication firm, and a member of Greenspeakers Club in New York City.