2. Story Telling
Story includes plot
Story is more than simply plot
Story is the revealing of plot (and character)
in the order that creates the effects
that make meaning
3. First, what is a Story ?
• The difference between a story and a
chronicle
– is cause and effect
• A chronicle is a list of events
• A story has a plot – a pattern of cause & effect
• A story reveals the meaning of the events
5. A Story (with a plot)
The wife died
Then the husband died of grief!
Two actions united by answering the question
Why?
6. What is a Plot?
• A plot is a blueprint of human behavior
• A plot is made up of patterns of feelings and
actions
• A plot makes connections
• A plot highlights the meaningful events
7. All stories have plots
• With a story, the audience wants to know the
causes –
•
•
•
•
why?
who?
what?
and maybe when?
8. Plots and Stories
• A story is more than a plot
• A plot is a map of events
• A story is the revealing of events
– To have an effect on the audience
– To create meaning
• A story must have a plot, but it isn’t just the
plot
9. Stories & Riddles
• Essentially stories are
riddles
– mysteries
– a game played between audience &
writer
– with clues
–
10. Building a Story on a Plot
• The storyteller has to capture the audience
• First – what is the story about
– Every detail in the story must point to the central
theme
• Second – the structure is planned, the story’s
rising action and climax are built, composed
– A chronological order isn’t necessary and can even
be counter-productive
11. How to Tell a Story
• Tease, entice, set-up the audience
– Give a clue, a mystery, a hint to grab their
attention and begin the story
– Make the clue a pointer toward the central point
or theme of your story
• The clue, mystery or hint must be “paid off” at
the end of the story
• The end connects to the beginning, and the
beginning to the ending
12. Story Structures
• Story vs. Chronicle
– Meaning = perception of a pattern of human
behavior
• Storytellers playing a game with audience
– plot and telling
• Structure more than just plot
– Designing order of revealing meaning to audience
– The beginning and the ending are tied together