The Art of Storytelling: From Parents to Professionals

TTC Audio - The Art of Storytelling: From Parents to Professionals Professor Hannah B. Harvey East Tennessee State UniversityPh.D., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill No.9313 Publisher:TTC Audio december 2012 | ISBN: n/a | Language English | Audio in MP3 | 543 MB The gift of storytelling may be one of life's most powerfuland enviedskills. A story well told can make us laugh, weep, swell with pride, or rise with indignation. A story poorly told can be not just boring or ncomfortable, but positively painful to experience. Humans seem to be fundamentally hard-wired for stories theyre how we record both the monumental events of life and the small, everyday moments. The oral storytelling tradition is as old as language itself. Throughout history, stories have primarily existed in the verbal realm, preserving and passing knowledge across generations before being canonized in print. This was true of the ancient epics, and its true today. Your family history, your companys history, the stories you tell that define and shape your identitythese are all stored in your mind and shared through your actions and words. And being a gifted storyteller has its advantages: A well-crafted narrative can keep the people, values, and life lessons you hold dear alive and give you the power to influence your children, your employees, and others. There are many reasons we relate and respond to stories. Were often drawn to what or whom the story represents; how the story reflects a core part of who we are (or who we want to be); and what the story could bebecause we dont like the reality of what the story is. So how do you tell stories that stickin your own mind and in the minds of your family, friends, colleagues, and clients? Thats precisely what youll learn in The Art of Storytelling: From Parents to Professionals, an enthralling course that reveals the tried-and-true methods experienced storytellers use to develop and tell engaging, entertaining, and memorable tales. In 24 lectures, Professor Hannah B. Harvey of East Tennessee State University demonstrates how to master the art forms basic principles with the same witty, dynamic energy that has made her an internationally recognized professional storyteller and award-winning educator. Even if you never plan to set foot on a stage, knowing what a professional storyteller does in the process of crafting and delivering a tale allows you to enhance the stories you tell everydayto your children at bedtime, in your conversational anecdotes, and in your presentations at work. Teachers, lawyers, clergy, coaches, parents, and anyone who wants to understand the power of stories to capture hearts and minds will

benefit from the lessons presented in this course. Find Your Own Story Professor Harvey calls the act of creating a story performance an alchemical process that involves an interconnected cycle of talking, writing, imaging, playing, and rehearsing. Youll begin your exploration of this layered chain of events by breaking down storytellings secret underpinnings and examining the dynamic relationship between you, the story, and the audience, known as the storytelling triangle. This course introduces you to practical methods for building dynamic tension and capturingthen maintainingyour audiences attention. Youll acquire tips and techniques for finding, selecting, and preparing stories, whether theyre based on your own experiences, time-honored folk tales, or beloved family yarns. You may be surprised to discover how many small, virtually imperceptible decisions go into the telling of a good story, right down to the way you emphasize certain words. For example, a far richer picture is painted when you say the door creeeeeeeeaked open, instead of stating the door creaked open. Thats because the former enhances sensorium, allowing the audience to fully visualize what youre describing. Youll also learn to - choose expressive language; - craft compelling characters; - refine your narrators point of view; - shape your storys plot, structure, and emotional arc; - develop imagery, vocal cues, and intonation; and - use body language to connect with your audience. And theres so much more. Professor Harvey instructs you on ways to make the past feel present, to take on and off ramps to gracefully enter and exit stories, and to employ devices such as repetition and audience participation to lure back listeners youve started to lose. Beyond Happily Ever After Part how-to workshop, part intellectual study of the history of narrative, The Art of Storytelling investigates the hidden meanings of various genres from the heros journey to the fairy tale. Youll examine classic story structures, archetypal characters, and why certain stories, such as Cinderella, have endured across time and cultures. In studying the psychology of fairy tales youll discover that, although they were never intended for children, their characters and situations serve as a mirror in which children see themselves reflected. As you dissect the familiar story of Little Red Riding Hood to examine the themes of temptation, heroism, good, and evil, youll realize how real the fantasy world can seem for children and the many ways fairy tales fulfill childrens needs. Fairy tales offer children reassurance that their feelings are valid; although they struggle with contradictory desires, it will all turn out OK in the end; and if they enter the woods, they can overcome the temptations that the woods represents. Practice Makes (Almost) Perfect Many lectures feature exercises that literally get you moving to develop your stories and make them more enjoyable for you to tell and your audience to hear. Although journaling and scripting are part of the process, at no point will you be expected to memorize your stories word for word. The professors interactive activities and side coaching sessions are designed to make you comfortable enough with your story to tell it naturally and make impromptu changes as needed.

For the uninitiated, some exercises may seem outside your comfort zone, but youll soon find that Professor Harveys warm-ups, activities, and rehearsal ideas are an effective way to harness performance anxiety and get prepared to be playful and spontaneous. While you may not do this preliminary work when telling stories at a party, doing the exercises ahead of time will help tremendously when youre thinking on your feet. In taking this course, youll learn that storytelling is less about the telling than it is about listening to what your particular audience needs, and reacting in the moment by adapting your language, body gestures, and voice to accommodate the changing dynamics and atmosphere. Youll even learn what to do if the unexpected occurs while telling a story to a roomful of kids or giving a presentation (such as sirens blaring outside). Lectures addressing the practical considerations of using props, PowerPoint, and microphones in various scenarios are as informative for performers as they are for business professionals. An Unforgettable Experience An absolute treat for the heart and mind, this course is complemented by clips of accomplished storytellers practicing their craft at festivals, as well as Professor Harveys own personal tales about growing up in Appalachia, which range from the heartfelt to the downright hilarious. An exceptionally captivating lecturer, she brings her unique perspective as a scholar-artist to this endeavor, grabbing hold of your attention from the start and never letting gowhich is exactly what youll learn to do with your own audience by the end of this course. Whether you seek to sharpen your abilities in the boardroom, the classroom, or simply around the water cooler, The Art of Storytelling has the answer. The context may change, but the methods remain the same. 24 Lectures 1. Telling a Good Story 2. The Storytelling Triangle 3. Connecting with Your Story 4. Connecting with Your Audience 5. Telling Family Stories 6. The Powerful Telling of Fairy Tales 7. Myth and the Heros Journey 8. Tensive Conflict and Meaning 9. Giving Yourself Permission to Tell 10. Visualization and Memory 11. Discovering Point of View 12. The Artful Manipulation of Time and Focus 13. NarratorBridging Characters and Audience 14. Developing Complex Characters 15. Plot and Story Structures 16. Emotional Arc and Empathy 17. Varying the Narrators Perspective 18. Vocal Intonation 19. Preparing to Perform 20. Putting Performance Anxiety to Good Use 21. Adapting to Different Audiences 22. Invitation to the AudienceMindset 23. Keeping Your Audiences Attention 24. Remember Your StoriesThe Power of Orality