Effective Storytelling A manual for beginners

Effective Storytelling
A manual for beginners
by Barry McWilliams

Effective storytelling is a fine and beautiful art. A well-developed and presented story can cut across age barriers and will hold the interest and reach its listeners. Stories will be remembered long after other orations. Knowing and applying the basics of storytelling will strengthen your stories.
You are most welcome to copy and use this document! It is about 6 printed pages long. You might read some of the good books available on how to tell stories as well.
Finding stories:
There are many kinds of stories you can work with. It is recommended you start with simple folktales, with simple elements.
While traditionally stories were learned by listening, the best source today is the children’s department of the Public Library - particularly in the section (J)398. There you will find all sorts of folk and fairy tales, tall tales, trickster stories, etc. Many stories are on the internet as well. As you browse, look for stories that "touch" you. Start with simple stories, then as your experience grows, be sure to explore and branch out.
With time you will probably find many kinds of tales that will interest you personally. All sorts to choose from including: folktales from many countries and cultures, accumulative stories, droll and humorous tales, traditional fairytales in numerous versions, wish (magic) tales, trickster tales, tall tales, myths, legends and hero tales from the sagas and national epics, animal fables, scary stories, urban legends, Bible and religious stories, literary stories, pourquoi (why?) stories. With time and experience you will want to try a variety of stories and perhaps even branch out into telling your own personal stories or giving Improvisational storytelling a try.
And be aware of copyrights, it is best to work with traditional folklore or tales in public domain, than to plagiarize a living author or storyteller without their permission. Remember to give credit to sources.






Characteristics of a good story:
• A single theme, clearly defined
• A well developed plot
• Style: vivid word pictures, pleasing sounds and rhythm
• Characterization
• Faithful to source
• Dramatic appeal
• Appropriateness to listeners
Baker and Greene, Storytelling: Art and Technique, pp. 28

Adapting to our audiences:
The audience has a very important role in storytelling - for their minds are the canvas on which the teller paints his tale. Oral storytelling involves much interaction between teller and hearer. I have observed that our audiences have lost some of the skills to follow a narrated story and see things in their minds. Storytelling has become more difficult. Attention spans are shorter and more demanding, more sophisticated, yet less able to independently imagine or visualize. People seem to need more visual stimulation.
• Take the story as close to them as you can.
• Keep it brief and simple- especially for younger children - pare down to the heart of the story.
• Stimulate their senses so they feel, smell, touch and listen and see vivid pictures.
• Describe the characters and settings, and help them sympathize with the character's feelings.
• Aim your story at the younger ones when telling to a audience of mixed ages!

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Storytelling is a task shared by storyteller and story listeners,-
it is the interaction of the two that makes a story come to life!
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Preparation:
Once you settle on a story, you will want to spend plenty of time with it. It will take a considerable period of time and a number of tellings before a new story becomes your own.
• Read the story several times, first for pleasure, then with concentration.
• Analyze its appeal, the word pictures you want your listeners to see, and the mood you wish to create.
• Research its background and cultural meanings.
• Live with your story until the characters and setting become as real to you as people and places you know.
• Visualize it! Imagine sounds, tastes, scents, colors. Only when you see the story vividly yourself can you make your audience see it!

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Stories paint word pictures and use the sound and rhythm and repetition of words.
In developing and learning a story concentrate on its visual and audio aspects:
either assemble it into a series of visual pictures like a filmstrip,
or consciously absorb the rhythm and arrangement of the sounds of the words.
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Learn the story as a whole rather than in fragments. Master, and then simplify, its structure to a simple outline of scenes. Don't try to memorize it, though you should always know your first and last lines by heart!.
• Map out the story line: The Beginning, which sets the stage and introduces the characters and conflict; the Body, in which the conflict builds up to the Climax; and the Resolution of the conflict. Observe how the action starts, how it accelerates, repetitions in actions and how and where the transitions occur. If simplifying or adapting a story, do not alter the essential story line.
• Absorb the style of the story: To retain the original flavor and vigor, learn the characteristic phrases which recur throughout the story. Observe the sentence structure, phrases, unusual words and expressions.
Practice the story often - to the mirror, your cat, driving in the car, with friends, or anyone who will listen. Even when telling an old and familiar story, you must use imagination and all the storyteller's skills to make it come alive. Use your imagination to make the story come alive as you prepare.
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Give your characters personalities...live the story with them...know and feel their emotions...
breathe the breathe of life into them, until they become so real to you
that you feel like they are people you know.
If you are convinced - your listeners will be too.
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Delivery elements:
• Sincerity and whole heartedness (Be earnest!),
• Enthusiasm (This does not mean artificial or noisy excitement),
• Animation (in your gestures, voice, facial expressions)
Stories are more interesting when there is animation and variety in the voice of the teller.
Particular Oral Storytelling Skills:
A Storyteller’s skills include: emphasis, repetition, transition, pause and proportion.
• Dialog should make use of different voices for different characters and using the Storytelling "V" - where you will shift your facing (or posture) as the dialog switches from character to character.
• Use your voice to create the atmosphere or tension as the story progresses.
• Use gestures and facial expressions add much to the visualization of the story. Be sure they are appropriate and natural. Practice them!
• Pacing involves both the volume and rate at which you speak, and the progression of the action in the story. Dialog slows a story's pace down, while narrating action speeds it up.
• Repetition and Exaggeration have always been basic elements of story telling.
Experience will hone these skills, and when - and how - to use them most effectively.
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Most importantly --- relax and be yourself. Develop your own style - one you are comfortable with.
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Beginning a story:
Storytelling is best done in a relaxed atmosphere free of distractions. The audience ought to be comfortable and close. Candle light and campfires are ideal situations for telling stories, but often impractical. The teller needs to give careful attention to the setting before hand - and be prepared to rearrange a room to bring his hearers closer, or use a backdrop or hangings to create atmosphere - especially in classroom settings. Props, costumes, or some getting acquainted patter may also help in getting and keeping attention and creating a mood.
Storytelling traditionally begins with a "Once upon a time..." opening. and then a storyteller’s silent pause to gather his thoughts. The traditional openings, of which there are many (often with responses from the audience), were "rituals" that served as a signal that the teller was suspending "time and space" as we know it and transporting the audience to a world of imagination and play. They identified the teller and established the audience’s commitment to accept for the moment that imaginary world and its "rules". Similar "rituals" also signal the end of the story and their return to reality. Many adults today have forgotten these "rules of the game." There are online lists of Beginnings and Endings.


Some attention keepers:
Many factors affect the attention of your listeners. A storyteller always needs to be sensitive to his audience and may need to regain their attention before continuing.
• Involvement or participation. Use volunteer(s) from the audience in your story. Or have the audience participate in hand motions or making sound effects. Or responding with "chants" or refrains
• A distinct change in your pace, voice, or mood.
• An unusual or unexpected twist in the narration.
• Throw-away lines or asides work well as does comic relief.
Be especially prepared to deal with disruptions with groups of children. There is always one or two children that want the attention. Sometimes you can just ignore it; sometimes it make take a stare, or a pause till the disruptive behavior ends, sometimes maybe involving a child in your story - whatever you do - do not speak harshly or in anger, or you will lose the audience.
Concluding:
Once you finish the story - stop! Don't ramble on. Leave their thoughts lingering over it. Don't feel you have to explain everything, or tie together all loose ends. Let them go away thinking about what has been said, and drawing their own meaning from it!
Applause is no measure of the effectiveness of a story presentation. Sometimes it will be exuberant, but other times the audience is quietly savoring and treasuring the story. An attentive audience and the feeling you "told it well" are the best reward you can have.
Finally...and most importantly: The more you practice- the more skilled you will become. Don't be afraid to try different methods. Be creative. As you do learn from your experiences. Expect to flop, the best of us do. Don't be overly self- conscious. Have fun and share the joy of story.
In the end, it is most important that you should tell your story in your own words with sincerity and enthusiasm and....
Tell stories!, Tell stories!! Tell stories!!!

Surat Dari Alimah Salam

Alimah Salam adalah orang yang memperkenalkan saya d pada dunia kanak-kanak dan persembahan boneka . Ketika itu beliau menjadi pustakawan di pustaka bimbingan kanak-kanak dan terakhir di pustaka kuala lumpur . baru baru ni saya terima email dari beliau . mari kita kongsi bersama

Hi... seronok pulak I baca cerita you ni..rasa macam muda-muda dulu
aktif dengan kumpulan bercerita dan puppet..wahh zakiah pun dah boleh bagi
ceramah..best betul..Jaja dah umor berapa sekarang..ada bakat mewarisi
minat you pulak ya..Ingat tak dulu kita ada sebut..kalau sampai tua
kita main puppet macamana agaknya..tak mustahil ni akan berlaku..haha..

OK Bengkel bercerita tu buat di Jakarta..sapa sponsor orang-orang
Malaysia tu pergi..ada penaja ke? I ada terbaca Purnama pun ada anjurkan
bengkel bercerita tapi tak silap penceramah orang Jepun..I ada dapat
hebahan bengkel yang di hantar kepada member IBBY. Dalam hati I kata DBP dah
nak cari pelapis utk aktiviti bercerita di KL...

Macam mana pulak si X yang senior tu masih jadi pemerhati aje di
Jakarta tu..sepatutnya dah boleh beri ceramah macam Zakiah..kalau dia
bercakap dengan kita macam pakar aje lagaknya..hairan juga dia masih
mengikuti perkembangan aktiviti ni lagi..masih aktif lagi kah dia..

...Kat sini kadang-kadang I teringat zaman
muda-muda dan kisah group kita..tak sangka dengan puppet show aje kita
dapat menjelajah seluruh Malaysia dan juga Indonesia, Manila, Thailand
dan ke Jepun!!!

Kami kat sini berpuasa esok..1 September..semalam pergi jamuan hari
kemerdekaan dengan rakyat MAlaysia di Jedddah ni..pagi ni ada majlis
naikkan bendera dan nyanyian negaraku..tapi I tak pergi..

Kirim salam kat Zakiah..dan tahniah cakap kat dia..dia serba boleh..

Alimah
Jeddah

You are excited about storytelling

You are excited about storytelling. You want to start telling stories, but don't know where to tell them. You are already telling stories, but want to tell more often. You have stories to tell, but want to practice telling them in a non-threatening environment. You are a storyteller and want to meet other storytellers. You want storytelling to grow and to become accepted in your area. All of these, and many more, are reasons to form a storytelling group. But, how do you start one and what are some of the guidelines to follow to ensure a successful outcome? Read on.
Make an initial plan. To start any group, you will need a plan of action and at least one or two other people who are willing to help with the startup. Find a place to meet (it could be in your home, your local library or a bookstore), set a time and date for the first meeting, print up some fliers and announcements to post on bulletin boards, and let as many people know as possible (a personal invitation on the phone, in the mailbox, and/or through e-mail will bring out more people). Have an agenda ready for the first meeting - it doesn't need to be a meeting loaded with business. I would suggest starting with a story and/or stories from those who would like to share. At this gathering, get a feel for the type of group you want. Do you just want to meet monthly to swap stories? Do you want to form a guild with membership? Do you want to create a group that will perform for others? Remember, it won't happen overnight, but it helps to have direction. I don't want to sound didactic here - enjoyment and fun are necessary to have people return - but without any structure or plan, you will soon lose people who feel it is a waste of time.
Leadership and participation are necessary for the success and longevity of any group. Remembering that the joy of storytelling is the reason for forming your group, you must also have people who are willing to take care of the nitty-gritty, leading the gatherings and volunteering to take on special projects. The more people involved, the more ownership they will have and the more easily your group will thrive. If you decide to have membership, with dues, what will the members gain? And what will you expect from your members. Several groups I have been involved with grew to a large membership base, but very few members ever took part in activities or were even seen at meetings. There were only a handful of people taking on a lion's share of the work. That is why it is important to make the group dynamic, fun and beneficial enough that people want to be involved.
Decide what members of the group will gain from becoming members. Will they have a chance to tell, learn and listen to stories - after all, isn't that the main reason you are forming the group? Will you send out a newsletter? The most successful clubs and/or guilds I have belonged to and am in touch with send out at least a quarterly newsletter - monthly or bi-monthly are even better. Even though I do desktop publishing and am visually oriented, I have come to realize that the design of the newsletter is not as important as regularity of receiving it and the information that is included. Even a one-sheet update works. Or, if most of your members have e-mail access, a regular e-mail newsletter is easy, fast and doesn't involve the cost of printing and postage. In any case, make sure that someone who is willing is in charge of the newsletter.

Bersama Penonton di PNM

Siapa yusof gajah

Yusof Gajah dilahirkan pada 10 Februari 1954 di Johol, Negeri Sembilan. Minat beliau terhadap seni lukis mula bercambah pada usia enam tahun. Pendedahan awal dalam seni lukis berlaku di Singapura dari tahun 1965 – 1969. Pada tahun 1972 beliau mendaftarkan diri dan menjadi pelajar di Sekolah Seni Rupa Indonesia di Jogjakarta, Indonesia sehingga tahun 1974. Dan menyambung pengajian di Akademi Seni Rupa Indonesia atau ASRI yang terkenal di Indonesia pada tahun 1975 ..
Sebagai pelukis professional sepenuh masa Yusof Gajah telah berjaya mengadakan dua belas pameran solo di dalam dan luar negeri. Dua pameran solo berjaya dilaksanakan di Tokyo. Pameran solo di luar negeri yang lain telah diadakan di Jakarta, Phuket, Sweden, dan Jogjakarta, Indonesia. Enam pameran solo beliau yang lain telah diadakan di Kuala Lumpur. Dari masa ke semasa beliau turut serta dalam pameran berkumpulan dengan pelukis-pelukis Malaysia dan di peringkat antarabangsa.
Dalam bidang kanak-kanak tahun 76 ketika bersama kumpulan anak alam beliau aktif mengajar melukis untuk kanak-kanak di muzium negara dan di Pustaka Bimbingan Kanak-kanak . Disana beliau bersama Pustakawan Alimah salam telah menubuhkan Kumpulan Boneka Pustaka Bimbingan .Tahun 1980 Dewan Bahasa telah menubuhkan kumpulan Si Nuri dimana beliau aktif telibat . Bersama Kumpulan Si Nuri beliau turut berlakun dalam teater kanak=kanak Sri Ayu dan ikuti Tiga Ekor Gajah . Pada tahun 1982 beliau berkerja di Pusat perkembangan Kanak-kanak , Yayasan Sabah / ketika disana beliau turut terlibat didalam mengedalikan sessi bercerita dan melatih guru guru tadika didalam membuat dan mengendalikan boneka ,
Tahun 1986 beliau menyertai kumpulan ABROS sebuah kumpulan boneka . Beliau juga menjadi editor majallah kanak-kanak Timang Sayang terbitan LPPKN .
Yusof ‘ gajah ‘ juga terlibat sebagai hos , penulis skrip didalam rancangan KERENGGE terbitan RTM . Ketika membuka galeri di Komplek kraf dijaln conlay beliau banyak terlibay didalam aktiviti mencari dana untuk hospital khusus wad kanak-kanak diantara aktivit aktiviti yang telah dilaksanakan ialah :
1998 : Young Touch , Petronas Gallery , Kuala Lumpur
1999 : Artifact on canvas , Islamic Museum of Art , Kuala Lumpur
1999 : Art to Ward , Hospital University Kebangsaan , Kuala Lumpur
2000 : Art workshop , International School , Kuala Lumpur
2000 : “ one world – one humanity “ International Children’s painting exhibition
Yayasan seni ,Kuala Lumpur
2001 : Life is Beautiful , SIEMENS sport club , SIEMENS Gallery ,
Kuala Lumpur
2002 : Art to heart , Siltera , Kulim Kedah
2002 : Art Camp , Bursa Saham Kuala Lumpur , Nur Lembah Pangsun , Selangor
2003 : Heart to Art , Institut Jantung Negara , Balai Seni Lukis Negara ,
Kuala lumpur
2004 : Love Our Enviroment , Siemens Sport Club , Siemens ,Gallery ,
Kuala Lumpur
2005 : Free like a bird , Siemens Sport Club Kuala Lumpur
2005 Artist Colony Alice Smith International School Kuala Lumpur
2006 : Young Artist of Langkawi , Galeria Perdana , Langkawi
2007 : MCF Mount Kiara International School Art workshop

Disamping itu banyak penghargaan yang telah beliau raih diantaranya ialah :

AWARDS
1974 : Pratita Adi Karya ( Sekolah seni rupa Indonesia , Jogjakarta , Indonesia )
1985 : 2nd Prize , Annual Painting Competition , Sabah Art Gallery , Kota Kinabalu
1986 : Encouragement Awards ( SIMEOT ) , noma Concour for Children’s Picture
Book Illustration (ACCU) Tokyo , Japan
1988 : Encouragement Awards ( TIDAK LAMA DAHULU ) NOMA Concours For
Children’s Picture Book Illustration , ACCU , Tokyo , Japan
1990 : Hadiah karya Terbaik , Peraduaan Penyediaan Illustrasi Buku Bergambar ,
DEWAN BAHASA DAN PUSTAKA , KUALA LUMPUR
1992 : Runner-up ( THE LAST TREE ) NOMA Concoure for Children’s picture
Book Illustration ( Asian culture for UNESCO ) Tokyo , Japan
- Best Children’s Picture Book National Book Council . Kuala Lumpur
- Best Children’s Picture Book illustrator National Book Council , KL
1997 : GRAND PRIX (THE REAL ELEPHANT) NOMA Concour For Children’s
Picture Book Illustration (ACCU 0 Tokyo , Japan

Sekarang beliau banyak melukis distudionya disamping menyiapkan buku kanak kanak . Disamping itu beliau juga terlibat dengan Persatuan Taska Selangor untuk mengujudkan 10 kumpulan bercerita diseluroh negri Selangor dimana sessi pertama telah dimulakan tidak berapa lama dahulu .

Untuk keterangan lanjut sila hubungi ZAKIAH MOHD ISA 013 3310954 atau 0361895635 atau email : yusofgaja@yahoo.com yusofgajah@hotmail.com
Sila layari www.myspace.com/yusofgajah atau www.facebook.com/yusofgajah

KUMPULAN BERCERITA YUSOF GAJAH

KUMPULAN BERCERITA YUSOF GAJAH

Wujudnya kumpulan bercerita Yusof Gajah adalah atas dayausaha pelukis , penulis , illustrator . pendidik dan pengiat sosial khusus untuk kanak-kanak Yusof Gajah .
Tujuan Kumpulan Bercerita Yusof Gajah adalah :

1. meningkatkan daya imiginasi kanak-kanak agar mereka lebih kreatif .
2. memupuk minat membaca
3. memberi bimbingan kepada sukarelawan , guru , ibubapa dalam mengendalikan sessi bercerita .
4. Mencari cerita cerita rakyaat Malaysia untuk dijadikan dalam bentuk persembahan , lakunan dan boneka .
5. membantu agensi kerajaan , persatuan , Tadika , Taska dan yang bersangkutan dengan kanak-kanak dalam memberi latihan tehnik bercerita , mendongng , mengendalikan boneka dan lakunan .
6. mengadakan persembahan dan bercerita diseluroh negara dan luar negara .


Ahli kumpulan ini masih sedikit namun mereka gigih dan bersemangat tinggi . Tempat latihan mereka di studio Yusof Gajah .
Kumpulan ini tidak hanya tertumpu pada sessi bercerita tapi mereka juga terlibat didalam penulisan buku kanak-kanak , ilustrasi , melukis dan kraftangan. Buat masa ini kumpulan ini terdiri dari Zakiah Mohd Isa , Nur Yusniza dan Ali Akhbar . Kumpulan ini terbuka kepada semua orang .