Synopsis of Introduction to Storytelling

By Tom Reilly

Background

My name is Thomas Reilly, and I am a rising Junior in the MSB double majoring in Accounting and Finance, with a minor in Studio Art. Whether I'm presenting a financial model or just one of my sculptures, I find that public speaking is something I often find myself doing. I decided to take this course because I feel that storytelling skills are invaluable, as they an be used in school, at work, and even with friends.

Goal 1

Improve my articulation

Goal 2

Structure stories more effectively

Goal 3

Connect more with the content that I present

Module 1: What is a Story

Pixar in a Box: Introduction to Storytelling (Pete Docter)

 "You can write about extreme things like aliens or explosions, but you should add in something that you know and have experience with (such as feeling scared or alone).

By adding in that aspect, you are able to unlock a unique ability to connect the audience to your story, and keep them engaged. "

Module 2: Audience

"One way in which this reading has helped me in structuring my stories is through the activity of beginning my outline by condensing my story to one sentence. By doing this, it is much easier to realize the main points of the story, and on the other hand, the slack in the story that should be cut out."

From Textbook: “Don’t say your uncle just finished plumbing school unless a pipe is going to burst.” 

Module 3: Technique

"The biggest takeaway for me was learning that I should be breathing from my diaphragm rather than my chest. I feel like a lot of times when I get nervous I start breathing from my chest, and my sentences get shorter and choppier. But when I breath from my diaphragm, I feel like I have a lot more air to last throughout longer sentences and phrases."

Module 4: Content

"However, at the end of the story I find a sense of purpose and start to understand not only my motivations and what drives me, but also understand myself better as a person."

Module 5: Data Storytelling

"Freytag’s Pyramid is a good middle ground between Aristotelian Structure and Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. Freytag’s Pyramid is more detailed and full than Aristotle’s very simple structure, but is not as complex and confusing as Campbell’s Hero’s Journey."

Module 6: Tell Me About Yourself

"The ability to craft a good story is important when searching for a job because it 'inspires belief in our motives, character, and capacity to reach the goals we’ve set.'"

Module 7: Social Change

"I found it interesting how [Coates] explains that storytelling is a way for him to channel the anger he feels from various issues into something productive."


Evaluation of the Goals:

Goal One: Articulation

I feel that I learned so much about not only how to be more articulate when I speak, but also how to become more connected to my body, breath, and voice while I speak.

Goal Two: Structure

Not only do I feel that I learned a plethora of different structures for my stories, but I also feel that I learned when it is best to use each of those structures.

Goal Three: Connect to the Content

I feel that in this class I was able to move beyond the typical spreadsheets that I normally present, and go on to speaking about things like drunk driving fatalities, treatment of service workers, and even my own upbringing. Through doing this, I feel that I have gained valueable experience presenting content that I connect with, and that I can use this experience to better connect with the spreadsheets I'm used to presenting.

Conclusion

Most helpful activities: Vocal warmup, person with presence video, Pixar video

Where I will use these skills: Class presentations, job interviews, everyday conversations

Continuing developments: Nerves on stage, using gestures, planning jokes strategically. Now that this class has given me the tools, all I need to do is practice!