STORYTELLING EXAMPLES AND TECHNIQUES
Looking for some inspiration? Watch and Read!
The Moth: True Stories Told Live
This American Life
Ron Shock
Reinventing Storytelling
Looking for some inspiration? Watch and Read!
The Moth: True Stories Told Live
This American Life
Ron Shock
Reinventing Storytelling
UNIT 2: Storytelling Comedy
UNIT PLAN
In this Unit, we're going to take a different approach to sharing our comedy POV onstage. Storytelling is an ancient tradition. We love stories, all cultures, all ages- stories are universal. The key with comedy storytelling is two-fold. One- you have to tell a story that is totally, completely true. Two- your story has to have a touch of the universal in it. People must be able to relate to it.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
1. How can our personal stories connect to an audience through universal themes?
2. How does our style of delivery change or remain the same when we are talking about ourselves?
3. What does revision look like when we are revising something that is the truth?
UNIT PLAN
In this Unit, we're going to take a different approach to sharing our comedy POV onstage. Storytelling is an ancient tradition. We love stories, all cultures, all ages- stories are universal. The key with comedy storytelling is two-fold. One- you have to tell a story that is totally, completely true. Two- your story has to have a touch of the universal in it. People must be able to relate to it.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
1. How can our personal stories connect to an audience through universal themes?
2. How does our style of delivery change or remain the same when we are talking about ourselves?
3. What does revision look like when we are revising something that is the truth?
INSPIRATION:
In this assignment, you need to do some listening research! Click through ALL of the links below and listen to AT LEAST one story.
In your COMEDY JOURNAL make a list of the things about each story you enjoyed.
After you make your list, try to come up with 3 RULES you think all good stories and storytellers follow. Record them in your COMEDY JOURNAL.
1. THE MOTH
2. MIKE BIRBIGLIA (Video) Mike Birbiglia (Storytelling)
3. WANDA SYKES
4. STORY CORP (LISTENING)
5. STORY CORP (ANIMATED)
6. Adam Wade (TED talk)
Check out this RUBRIC- do you see similarities or differences?
Also, here are some TIPS from the Moth!
In this assignment, you need to do some listening research! Click through ALL of the links below and listen to AT LEAST one story.
In your COMEDY JOURNAL make a list of the things about each story you enjoyed.
After you make your list, try to come up with 3 RULES you think all good stories and storytellers follow. Record them in your COMEDY JOURNAL.
1. THE MOTH
2. MIKE BIRBIGLIA (Video) Mike Birbiglia (Storytelling)
3. WANDA SYKES
4. STORY CORP (LISTENING)
5. STORY CORP (ANIMATED)
6. Adam Wade (TED talk)
Check out this RUBRIC- do you see similarities or differences?
Also, here are some TIPS from the Moth!
THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
You will take the next week or so develop a personal story that you will share with the class. The story MUST be true. Your story doesn't have to be funny- it can be sad, shocking, sweet...WHATEVER. It just has to be TRUE. We will be sharing our stories in two ways- one with a live performance in front of an audience and the other will be some form a podcast/website where people can go to listen to our stories at their leisure!
RUBRICS FOR THE PROJECT: Copy and paste these into your comedy journal- also read them!
STEP 1: BRAINSTORM: Written and Outloud
You will take the next week or so develop a personal story that you will share with the class. The story MUST be true. Your story doesn't have to be funny- it can be sad, shocking, sweet...WHATEVER. It just has to be TRUE. We will be sharing our stories in two ways- one with a live performance in front of an audience and the other will be some form a podcast/website where people can go to listen to our stories at their leisure!
RUBRICS FOR THE PROJECT: Copy and paste these into your comedy journal- also read them!
STEP 1: BRAINSTORM: Written and Outloud
Generating Material: WRITTEN
You can use some of the same brainstorming techniques that you did when you were writing your observational comedy. BRAINSTORM IDEAS In addition to this- you may want to write some journal entries in your COMEDY JOURNAL about your evenings at home with family or friends. Stories aren't always sourced from the most INSANE thing that ever happened to you- sometimes it's the little stuff that we relate to the most. |
Generating Material: OUTLOUD
The game of STORY SWAP is a great way to generate material or memories with a partner or small group. Grab a video camera and have someone record. Ask someone to start talking about a story that happened to them (all truthful) and as they talk listen for something that sparks a memory for you. Gently interrupt and start telling your story. The idea isn't to get your whole story told in that moment, but to remember something in your life that relates to something someone else is talking about. |
Step 2: WORKSHOP
Grab a partner and share your story. Share it with as much detail as possible. Be sure to record this.
When you finish- use these questions to help give feedback. Please record these questions in the STORYTELLER'S comedy journal AND the FEEDBACK GIVER'S comedy journal.
1. What emotions came up in them story? Could you really FEEL what the storyteller was going through?
2. What details stand out most clearly to you? Why?
3. Were you bored? Why?
4. Ask any clarifying questions you may have.
5. If you have any suggestions- ask if the storyteller wants to hear them- then go ahead and give them!
Grab a partner and share your story. Share it with as much detail as possible. Be sure to record this.
When you finish- use these questions to help give feedback. Please record these questions in the STORYTELLER'S comedy journal AND the FEEDBACK GIVER'S comedy journal.
1. What emotions came up in them story? Could you really FEEL what the storyteller was going through?
2. What details stand out most clearly to you? Why?
3. Were you bored? Why?
4. Ask any clarifying questions you may have.
5. If you have any suggestions- ask if the storyteller wants to hear them- then go ahead and give them!
Step 3: FORMAT: ANIMATION
We are going to all create an animated short to accompany your story. Below is a general outline for how you should move through this project.
The LOGIN for GoAnimate is Dramateach82/stronger82
You have 3 days to complete your first draft of this story.
Here is a check list for what your first draft should have in it!
When you share your work we will copy and paste this into your comedy journal and you can get some feedback!
COMMUNICATE:
___Story is recorded in the students voice with vocal expression
___ Animation is clearly connected to the story
CREATE:
___ Animation is thoughtful and helpful to the story
___ The story is truthful and has a clear ending or "moral."
PLAN:
___ Student accomplishes their project by the deadline set by Caitlin (Friday, Dec 5th)
___ Student uses their time wisely, and is not easily distracted.
We are going to all create an animated short to accompany your story. Below is a general outline for how you should move through this project.
The LOGIN for GoAnimate is Dramateach82/stronger82
You have 3 days to complete your first draft of this story.
Here is a check list for what your first draft should have in it!
When you share your work we will copy and paste this into your comedy journal and you can get some feedback!
COMMUNICATE:
___Story is recorded in the students voice with vocal expression
___ Animation is clearly connected to the story
CREATE:
___ Animation is thoughtful and helpful to the story
___ The story is truthful and has a clear ending or "moral."
PLAN:
___ Student accomplishes their project by the deadline set by Caitlin (Friday, Dec 5th)
___ Student uses their time wisely, and is not easily distracted.
Step 4: EXHIBITION
We will be inviting a group to come to our classroom and sharing our stories. How do you think this would best be accomplished? What feels good? Our share date is January 7th!
REFLECTION FOR FINAL PROJECT
RUBRIC FOR FINAL PRODUCT
We will be inviting a group to come to our classroom and sharing our stories. How do you think this would best be accomplished? What feels good? Our share date is January 7th!
REFLECTION FOR FINAL PROJECT
RUBRIC FOR FINAL PRODUCT