Telling a Character's Story By Kevin Cordi

Engage your audience and honor your story with believable, effective characterization.

A storyteller's job is to portray characters believably, effectively, and with dignity; in a way that not only engages the audience, but honors the story. Here are some tips that will help you spice up your stories in ways that respect the characters in them:

• Highlight select traits.

  Storytellers tend to accentuate only a few character traits—like tone or attitude. This helps them tell stories with greater ease. By concentrating on a few traits, the story becomes clearer. Instead of spending time making sure the character is exactly right, spend time focusing on improving the storytelling itself.

• Don’t make fun of your character.

  It is easy to turn a character into a “cartoon,” if you are not careful. If you’re telling a story about your grandmother, does Grandma’s lisp, for example, add to the story without embarrassing Grandma? Consider coloring your story with another trait of your grandmother’s, such as her slow, deliberate movements. Some traits add humor to a story, whereas others detract from the story. Use discretion!

• Provide a slice of life.

  Don't get bogged down in details. Focus on providing a sense of the experience rather than reciting every fact of the story.

• Use accents carefully.

  Consider carefully whether you need to use an accent. Only use accents or dialects if they are appropriate for the story. If you decide to use an accent, research the culture to find out how the accent for your character should sound, then practice telling the story and listen to yourself for accuracy. Remember, there are many other ways to convey the tone of another culture.

• Practice.

  Practice the story often, particularly before performing your completed piece. You will notice what works when you practice in front of friends or family. A story is always in flux; it will change every time you tell it.

It is a great honor to tell someone else’s story, so it's important to make sure you have permission to do so. If you are unsure whether you need to be granted permission, consult your librarian. Meanwhile, be sure to have fun developing and telling your stories!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kevin Cordi, a professional storyteller, is also a storytelling and writing teacher in Ohio and California. He is the Executive Director of the National Youth Storytelling Olympics. Visit Kevin Cordi’s site, YouthStorytelling.com.