How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth

remember texture, detail, sense memory, and what you felt like when the story first took place.

And the silence that terrified me? It was the sound of others listening. It was the sound of human connection. The audience was right there with me, suspended and bound in the shared experience of storytelling.

when faced with the daunting task of making conversation with someone new, try to think of a question that might bring about a story from them. The tried-and-true “How do you know our host?” is an easy place to start. Compliments are always nice and can often break the ice.

Instead of rushing through life, it’s an opportunity to stop, sit back, and reflect.

Storytelling is the best thing about being human. And I believe it can change the world. That’s right. Stories can and do change the world.

You are looking for the moments where perhaps something happened that showed you glimpses of who you truly are. Moments that altered your life’s course or led you to discover something new.

In your head, a story idea is just a theory. Test it by saying it out loud. Often when you say something out loud, it changes shape. When spoken, a story can feel less silly or scary. Remember, there is a good chance that someone hearing your experience will say, “Hey, me too.”

Think about a time when you… Felt an emotion: doubled over with laughter, burst into tears, or lost your cool. Did something you never thought you’d do. Tried to be something or someone you aren’t. Discovered something about yourself, your environment, your family, or the world. Changed your relationship with someone—for better or worse, a little o

it. We identify scenes and details that can bring the story to life. We ask you, “If this were a movie, what scenes would keep us glued to our seats?” Retrace every step, describe it in Technicolor. We often ask that you “blow it up big” and look at every detail you could play with, and then pick the very best and shiniest.