Storytelling
Stories turn abstract ideas into something people can picture and remember.
Start close to the interesting moment
Long backstory slows the story down.
Give only the context the audience needs.
Create movement
A useful short story often has a situation, problem, action, and result.
Something should change.
Connect it back
After the story, explain why it matters to the larger speech.
Do not assume the audience will make the connection for you.
Example
Instead of five minutes of background, begin: “Ten minutes before my presentation, the slides disappeared.”
Common mistake
Telling an entertaining story that never connects to the point.
Try this
Tell a real story in four sentences: situation, challenge, action, result.
Keep in mind
A story should carry an idea.
Practice this skill
Give a real speech and use SpeakCoachLab coaching to focus on this skill in context.