The Art of Storytelling in English

As you move beyond basic language skills, you soon find yourself wanting to tell a story. But in a foreign language, that is not all that easy. You lack the fluency and the wit at your disposal in your native language, so why even try? Truth be told, everyone wants to master the art of storytelling because everybody wants to be that storyteller everybody loves.

Ireland is known as the nation of storytellers, and if you ever visit, you soon discover why.

We have trawled the internet to put together this month’s language lab and deliver the tools that will transform you into one of the greatest storytellers of all time. The post consists of storybuilding advice and phrases you can use to underpin your story arc.

Whatever your level, be that A2 or C2, these resources will help you captivate your audience in business, education, or among family and friends.

Essential Storytelling Tips

Before getting down to tools and techniques, let’s look at some essential elements you must include.

Is this the Right Time and Place for a Story?

Be smart about when to tell a story and consider your audience. You may tell a favourite story to friends or during a high-powered meeting, but make sure the time is right and your audience receptive.

Include a Likeable Underdog Your Audience Can Root for

Every great story has a flawed central character whose trials and tribulations we follow. Your main character does not have to be great, just interesting and vulnerable enough to evoke lots of emotions.

Use a Clear and Simple Structure and Captivating Language

Usually, less is more when it comes to storytelling. You have to grab your audience’s attention immediately, and don’t bore them with too much detail. Instead, build your story decisively, reaching the arc steadily.

The Spine of the Story

Every story follows the same clear and simple progression. If you use it, you are already on firm ground.

Language to Help You Master the Art of Storytelling in English

The phrases below work to build the story as you go. Using the story spine above and the phrases that follow will allow you to enthral your audience and keep them entertained until the very end.

Getting Your Audience Hooked

You don’t have much time to grab people’s attention. Here are some phrases to draw people in inescapably.

• “It all began when…”
• “Nobody knew the truth about…”
• “Looking back, I should have noticed the signs…”
• “The last thing I expected was…”
• “If I had known then what I know now…”

Introducing Conflict

Every great story includes a mishap or conflict, a major game-changing event or encounter. Here is how to introduce it.

• “Little did they know, everything was about to change.”
• “That’s when things took a dark turn.”
• “The problem wasn’t the storm—it was what came after.”
• “He had one chance to fix this, but the clock was ticking.”

Building Suspense

Keep your audience guessing by dropping hints while withholding essential information. That way, they will be hanging off your every word. Here are some ways to ramp up tension.

• “A chill ran down my spine as I realised…”
• “The silence was deafening.”
• “With each step, the danger grew closer.”
• “The truth was far worse than I imagined.”

Introducing Turning Points & Reaching the Climax

At this point, you will have built up so much tension that your listeners will be begging for a turning point or resolution. Build in phrases like these:

• “In that moment, everything clicked into place.”
• “There was no turning back now.”
• “The choice was clear, but the cost was unbearable.”
• “Against all odds, she took the leap.”

Delivering Resolutions & the Moral of the Story

It is up to you whether you end with the moral of the story, an abrupt end, or an epilogue. Here are some options:

• “And just like that, it was over.”
• “I’ll never forget the lesson I learned that day.”
• “Sometimes, the greatest victories come from the hardest battles.”
• “Life went on, but nothing was ever the same.”

Practice Your Storytelling

Born storytellers are far and few between. For most of us, great storytelling takes practice and honest feedback from our audience. That said, using the phrases and structure above is a good place to start.