In public speaking, as with conversation, stories are a very powerful in gaining and keeping your listener's attention. People have grown up listening, reading and watching stories. Stories can be used effectively from the opening, through the body and in closing the speech.
Any normal speech can be enriched with stories. Finding and selecting interesting will take some time and effort but the results make it worthwhile.
Where to Find Interesting Stories
The primary source of human interest stories will be from your own life experience. By being a keen observer of life you will build up a storehouse of stories that can be used in your speeches.
In addition to this the speaker can use stories they have heard, read or watched. The daily newspapers are an excellent source, and in most cases they can relied on to be true. The stories that will probably be most useful for public speaking engagements will be the smaller items, not those that make the headline news. Other great sources are biographies, literature and history.
The internet can be another great source of stories. But two cautions are that the stories maybe too well known to be effective and the internet can be an unreliable source as regards to accuracy.
Select Stories That Fit Your Subject
The stories chosen should be relevant to your speech, illustrate or prove the point that is being made. Stories that do not relate to your topic or point will distract the audience and confuse your message.
Use Fresh or Unusual Stories
The stories used do not have to be unique to your speech but avoid stories that have been told and re-told many times. For example, if you wanted to illustrating determination and courage the story of Columbus would appear to be a great story for that purpose. It has the potential to fall flat because it has been told so many times that your listeners maybe over-familiar with it. An alternative story to illustrate this would be Fridtjof Nansen's 3 year battle to find the North Pole.
Please Tell Us More!
The stories told should leave the audience wanting more. Don't use stories that leave your listener's saying "so What?" For example a story along the lines of
"A boy meets a girl. They fall in love. They are getting married next month." The listener's reaction is "So What?"
But by adding the following to the story:
"Along comes a tall beautiful blonde heiress who looks at the boy with the look that says "let's get to know each other better." And the wife to be observes what is going on but is determined to walk down the aisle to her man." Now the reaction is "Please tell us more." The story has become interesting because there is the anticipation of conflict, drama and suspense.
It takes time and effort to discover and select fresh interesting stories. But your public speaking rewards will make it worthwhile.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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