Broadgate Speakers in the City

Steps to Dynamic Story Development

Dynamic Story Development Toastmasters Magazine July 2005, by Ty Howard CTM

Have you ever seen someone you considered to be a great speaker and wondered 'Wow' - how does he do that so effortlessly?' Chances are the speaker was a great storyteller! You can become a great speaker by learning, applying and mastering the following nine steps for dynamic story development:

- Set the scene; create the context for the story. What's the time, location, weather and conditions? What's going on emotionally, physically or spiritually?

- Begin the journey. What is the task, the goal, the journey? Where do you have to go? Who do you have to connect with? What is the challenge?

- Encounter the obstacle. Without conflict, the story will be boring. Something must happen to get in your way and make it interesting. The obstacle may be a person, a challenge to overcome or a self-limiting belief. Exaggeration here will make it funny.

- Overcome the obstacle. What did you have to do overcome? What strength did you have to summon? Was there someone who helped you? Perhaps your helper is the hero; perhaps it's you. Be specific. Break your solution down into a few steps in sequence. This is where the teaching happens.

- Resolve the story. Tie up any loose ends and make sure your audience knows how everything turned out. What happened to the other people, to your helper? Go back over your story's logic and hear it as the audience will hear it.

- Make the point. It's important that your story has one clear point. Too many points confuse the issue. One story - one point. Write out the point and memorize it. Work on the words. Make it simple and easy to remember. This is where you work in your 'Phrase That Pays.'

- Ask the question. Make your story their story by asking the question. 'Has that ever happened to you?' Turn the point into a question. Push their buttons.

- Practice! Practice! Practice! Tell your stories to family members, co-workers, friends or anyone who is willing to listen. Their response will let you know if you have to go back to make some adjustments. This step will ignite the 'Wow!' in your audience.

When I first joined Toastmasters, I would stand before my fellow club members to deliver a prepared speech and, like a swift ninja, slip them my 'Knock 'Em Dead Sleeping Pill.' After I completed my third speech, a club member whispered in my ear on the way out after the meeting, 'You have potential, but you need to invest more time in tightening the structure of your stories.' I took her advice, and now I'm better at keeping my audience's attention - thanks to these steps to dynamic story development.

Remember: The best speech you will ever give - is your next speech. It's now time for you to TAP - Think, Act, Prosper.