A Tale is a Tale is a Tale
memorized--beautiful beginnings or endings, important dialogue, colorful expressions, rhymes and repeated phrases, but the entire folktale is never memorized. When it comes to delivering the tale, each teller uses his own unique style.
As a young teacher, I was once given the assignment of telling a pre-chosen, rather sad story, to the student body. I was well known for coming to school in period costume to teach my history classes, but storytelling? This was not my forte! I prepared for the event by memorizing the story. NEVER memorize a story!
About half way through, I forgot it--everything! Now being soft-hearted and a Southerner at that, I easily produced gone-with-the-wind tears, and informed the children, teachers and parents that it was too sad. I could not continue.
My principal, dear lady, approached the microphone, but instead of continuing the story as was anticipated, she rather came in support of her young teacher and to everyone's surprise she, too, started to cry, then announced that assembly was over. Later that day, one of the students asked me if I had forgotten the story!
I suspect that is why stories should NOT be memorized. However, storytellers do absorb their stories until they become second nature.
Some storytellers practice their stories sitting in front of a mirror. Others use audio or video recording. Some simply use a family member, friend or another storyteller as a sounding board.
First they practice their story line. Their vision will not convey everything from a story, but it must convey enough to make sense. Once the story is in their mind, they focus on how to tell it.
Devices! Devices! Devices! Story masters are wizards in utilizing storytelling devices: repetition, variety, voice, speed, rhythm, mime, gestures, facial expression, silence and jump. In folktales, events often repeat themselves in threes--a magic number. Special attention is given to repeated rhymes and phrases. Repitition is a device which helps listeners stick with a story by providing familiar landmarks of time and space.
Another device is variety. Variety catches and holds attention. The best storytellers are totally skilled in changing tone, pitch, volume of voice, speed, rhythm and articulation.
The device of silence is used to regain attention or signal that something important is to come.
Gestures, facial expressions and mime are devices used for emphasis as well as entertainment and to hold attention.
The jump device is used at the end of a ghost
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