Oral storytelling group

Woodend Neighbourhood Centre

47 Forest Street, Woodend, Victoria 3442
T: 03 5427 1845
F: 03 5427 4027
E: wnci@netcon.net.au

We meet monthly for 1½ hours and begin Friday 15 October at 10:30-am
Donation $3.00

Since people began communicating with each other, "Tell me a story" has often been a request of  children and grownups. Storytelling involves one person telling others of something, anything. The story can be of a real event, a family history, or it can be a made up one. Storytelling is part of our everyday conversations, and each and everyone of us has stories to tell.

Oral storytelling is the art of telling a story through the medium of voice, no more, no less. The story reaches out and touches each listener in a different way, engaging directly with listeners creating a shared experience.

The joy of storytelling is the reason for the group, and all members will participate by telling, learning and listening to stories.

• Oral storytelling is fun.
• Oral storytelling is a time to try something new, and to be in a safe environment as you explore different ways to tell a tale.     
• A story is never memorized; it is to be told as it is remembered.
• Notes may not be used.
• Telling a story is like telling a friend about something that happened.
• Forgetting parts of a story or making mistakes is normal.  This is how ordinary conversation takes place, and we usually find ways to correct these things as we talk to family and friends.
• Listeners and storytellers understand that there is no right or wrong way to tell a tale; the idea is to share what you know. 
• No matter how a storyteller chooses to tell a story, it is correct. It is never incorrect!
• No one may interrupt when a story is being told.
• Listeners may not offer feedback to the storyteller unless requested.
• The storytelling space is to be respected, and no one may discuss the details outside of the group, unless permission is granted by the storyteller.
• A story is a gift from storyteller to listener. Once a listener receives a story, it can be recalled and shared with others. This is how stories travel around the world, and why so many wonderful tales have lasted for hundreds and hundreds of years.

Revised: 29 August 2010