Storytelling Session Overview – 22/09/2025
The session centred around the art of storytelling, with a focus on bringing narratives to life by weaving in five key elements:
- Location – Where is the story taking place?
- Actions – What are you doing in that moment?
- Thoughts – What’s running through your mind?
- Emotions – What are you feeling?
- Dialogue – What are you hearing or saying?
Participants were encouraged to choose their own story and zero in on the pivotal moment—the heart of the narrative, the juicy turning point that makes it memorable.
Rather than recounting a sequence of events, the goal was to zoom in on that crux moment and explore it in depth. This approach helps create vivid, emotionally resonant stories that truly connect with an audience.
The session also offered a valuable opportunity to practise using gestures to enhance storytelling and add physical expression to the spoken word.
Feedback
Ami – stopped at one point to say you were nervous, but the nerves did not show. Good eye contact. The story could be more concise or focus on one particular part.
Cassie – good gestures, very few ums. Spoke well.
Ellie – good story about going to the gym and that no one cares what she is doing. The story could be more concise. Ums when thinking that could be replaced with a pause.
Steph – good story about a marathon. Hits the 5 points. Lots of visuals. Change her voice for different people or for emotion. Said she was nervous but did not look it. Helps if you find a topic you are passionate about.
Kate – Funny start about mum hiding passport. Good descriptions. Good pace. Seems calm. Hit the points.
Maria – Very descriptive. I could understand /feel the drowning. Smiled. More eye contact with the whole room.
Karen – good enthusiasm, happy, smiling. Good story about Honor Blackman. Could be more concise.
Liv – good start “ I love noodles” or similar. Good story. Hands on hips at start. Very controlled pace and not rushed. Spoke well.
Julia – Interesting personal story, captures people. Started looking down, but improved eye contact later. Could be more concise.
Paul – Good opticians story. Good gestures showing frustration and speaking on the phone. Good movement. Maybe some repetition.
Ethan – good story. Draws people in. Slow and calm pace. More eye contact with the room and not just one or two people. Work on finishing.
Neno – good detail and passion/emotion. Could slow down. More eye contact with the room.
All – eye contact, what to do with hands (not in front of face), more movement on stage, many were nervous, but it did not show.