Storytelling and writing
By Carlton U. Forbes
For most people, learning a second language is a tedious task. And learning to write in a foreign language is even more daunting. Students who write poorly in their native language will certainly have greater difficulty learning to write well in a second language. So regardless of one's mother tongue, improving one’s writing skills require time, effort and habitual practice.
Like most other talents, writing is an art form that must be developed patiently and persistently.
For second-language learners, demonstrating one's writing abilities in a non-native script is indeed a challenge. This is equally true for many learners of English. Still, it doesn't have to be that way. That’s because writing in a foreign language can be easy if done in a narrative style.
The narrative style is most well-suited for storytelling. Also, storytelling is one of the oldest forms of instruction. Long before writing was developed, storytelling was used to educate the young, convey life’s lessons about cultural, moral and religious beliefs or values. Like ancient drawings and cave paintings, storytelling is one of the primary means of preserving knowledge of the past and recalling important events.
It is a known fact that people from all over the world love stories. Also, storytelling is a time-honored tradition practiced by many cultures worldwide. Why? Well, for one thing, stories are amusing, entertaining and interesting. In fact, stories are often used to teach cardinal virtues, philosophies, and sacred truths. Such stories can take the form of ambitious adventures, epic struggles, and celebrated conquests.
Like most other talents, storytelling is an art form that must be developed with habitual practice and personal charm. Storytelling is a genre that never goes out of style. People of all ages love to hear a good story. Sometimes, they will even listen to modified versions of stories they have heard since childhood.
In fact, companies like Walt Disney and Pixar makes billions of dollars each year producing cinematic dramatizations of stories we’ve heard and loved since kindergarten. In recent years, the animated versions of Aladdin, Cinderella, Lion King, and Mulan have earned box office success globally. Indeed, moviegoers willingly spend good money to watch the latest version of a well-loved story.
Storytelling is such an appealing art form, it affects our attitude and influences our language expressions. A headline grabbing news event is called “a cover story.” An outlandish report of extraordinary feats, a tall tale of adventure that evokes disbelief or skepticism is considered “a fish story or a fish tale.”
A boastful report that is so absurd, it has no resemblance to reality is regarded as a “cock and bull story.” An equivalent idiomatic phrase is a “cockamamie story.” A long explanation used to elicit sympathy or offered as an excuse for personal failings is referred to as “a sob story.”
Storytelling is such an effective form of communication; it is the most common literary technique used by many writers. Famous poems, song, sagas, sonnets, and trilogies are far more gripping when they are presented or written in narrative style. Almost everyone knows how to tell a good story. Also, there is an interesting story in every person waiting to be told.
With that in mind, the next time you are asked to write an essay in English class, instead of following the traditional textbook approach, try a different technique — try writing a story. Almost everyone knows how to tell a good story. Also, there is an interesting story in every person waiting to be told.
In fact, a great way to develop your storytelling ability is to share an interesting part of your life's experience with your teacher. So, make your next essay a good story worth telling. Use the narrative style to spruce up your writing in English. In time, you too will begin to realize the redeeming virtue of storytelling and writing.
The writer currently teaches Global English at Pusan National University. He has also authored a forthcoming book “A Few Choice Words.” He can be reached at cuforbes@gmail.com.