Learning English through Short Stories

You need to perform your story in class. Discuss with your classmates the following questions on the various techniques which can help you to present your story effectively. You do not need to use all the techniques at one time but they can help you start thinking about how stories can be brought alive.

1. 
   How can you use your voice to create effect?
   
2. 
   Is it a good idea to address the audience (e.g. Now this part is really frightening!) or just to tell the story?
   
3. 
   Should each character in the story speak differently?
   
4. 
   Would the story be more interesting with two or more performers telling different parts of it?
   
5. 
   Could one person tell the story while one or two others mime it?
   
6. 
   Would costume help?
   
7. 
   Could (hand/shadow) puppets be used?
   
8. 
   Would music add to the atmosphere?
   
9. 
   Are there any audio-visual aids that would add to the story?
   
10. 
    Can lighting be used to enhance the story telling experience?
    
11. 
    Are there any props that would make the story come alive (e.g. something to pass round, a magic necklace to suddenly show)?
    

Teachers’ notes

* Teachers should remind students if they decide to use any props, costumes, slides etc. Students will provide their own and check with the teacher beforehand that the necessary equipment is available.

* Teachers may suggest that students can take different approaches like a narrator telling the main story accompanied with mime or acting, puppets, one student reading a story very expressively from a book, a story with music or powerpoint to add atmosphere, a student telling a story from memory with gesture and comments to the audience, etc.