Advanced English 10: Storytelling Presentation
Over the past couple of weeks, we have read and re-read a wide range of creation and destruction
stories that worked to help define various cultures and build a foundation for philosophy. We’ve
discussed how today, stories are an intrinsic part of our societies and culture. Movies, books, music,
news media, religions, architecture and painting, you name it, and the influence of storytelling is to be
seen in all aspects of our life: defining our values, desires, dreams and, as well as our prejudices and
hatreds; and that, traditionally, the oral stories have been handed over from generation to generation.
We have worked to make a purpose for both creation and destruction stories, keeping in mind that
most are rooted from oral tradition and the storytelling process. It isn’t every day that we think of the
power of storytelling or what specifically the story telling experience gives us, both from the creator and
the listener’s point of view, but hopefully through the stories we have read we can recognize just how
influential storytelling was to those communities and to people today.
Now that we have looked at other culture or group’s stories and myths, it is your turn to create your
own storytelling experience. The purpose of this speech is to deliver a presentation to your audience
that gives them the opportunity to go on a journey through your storytelling skills.
For this presentation I am…
-Going to write a story that is both entertaining and original.
-Going to present my story to my peers so they can come on the journey I created through story telling.
-Going to use the attached rubric to guide my presentation.
I know I am successful when…
-I feel confident in my original story.
-I have read and reread my story enough times that I feel comfortable performing it in front of my peers.
-I have practiced reciting my story using a variety of tones and voices to overall enhance my story.
-I have based my presentation preparation on the correlated rubric.
It is important for me to give this presentation because…
-Being able to get up in front of an audience helps to promote my communication and speaking skills.
-It will help me to master my skill of getting an intended message across to my audience.
-It will test my skills of whether I can create something original (with a beginning, middle, and end) and
present it clearly to my audience.
-It will help me to work on many speaking skills, such as voice and body movements.
Here is what you are to do next:
1. Brainstorm some ideas for your story- What interests you? Have you heard a story before that
you could re-tell or recreate?
2. Create your story. Whether you are simply writing it out in a notebook, or sitting down to a
computer and typing it, create a first draft. We will then work to alter and make adjustments to
that first draft.
3. Pass it on to a peer so they can read your story, give feedback, and ask questions.
4. Revise/edit your story so there is a beginning, middle, and end.
5. Practice telling your story, over and over again. Use the actual paper or notecards for guidance
in the beginning of your rehearsal period, then slowly start to rehearse without your guided
notes- if you can. Your story should take approximately 3-5 minutes to retell.
6. Practice reciting your story using your story with a variety of voices, tones, volume levels. This
will help to make your presentation entertaining.
7. Reference the rubric one last time to ensure you have all elements embedded in your
presentation.
Prewriting Process:
1. Think of a time where someone told you a story and you were overall entertained or impressed.
2. What made that story so good or entertaining?
a.
b.
c.
d.
3. My plans for incorporating the above elements?
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4. Roughly, outline your story:
Beginning:____________________________________________________________________________
Middle:_______________________________________________________________________________
End:_________________________________________________________________________________
5. Brainstorming space:
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Things to keep in mind:
-The best way to practice your presentation is to recite your story to as many people as you can. Go
home and tell mom and dad to sit for a moment and listen to your story using your props. What did they
think? Did they have any constructive criticism?
-Record yourself using a video camera or your phone. When you think you have memorized your
speech, record yourself and then watch the video. Have the rubric in front of you and play teacher- How
you would score yourself? Where did you exceed? Where could you have improved?
-Having a creative story isn’t enough. It’s the presentation and “selling” that story that makes it an
experience for your audience.
-The more effort you put into this presentation, the more enjoyable it is for you and your audience (and
the better grade you will earn)
Schedule of events:
Workshop days/ Brainstorming days: August 28 & August 31 (this also gives you all weekend)
Writing days: August 31- September 2
Peer revision day: September 4
Practice day: September 8
Presentation days: September 9-11
*You will need to turn in a typed copy of your story with the rubric on your assigned presentation day.
Presentations should be roughly 3-5 minutes. All elements of your story should be school appropriate
(no sex, drugs, alcohol, or violence). Your story should have the following heading in the top left corner:
Your name
Mr. Byron
Advanced English 10
See attached rubric.