7 Story Telling Techniques Used by the Most Inspiring TED-X Presenters

Stories:?They take us back to our grandparents. Those rainy afternoons, ladybugs hummed outside, and toads were croaking away in joy. Storytelling or orating, in general, is an art by itself. One may be supremely experienced but not always can express their feelings verbally. I remember my grandpa while writing this. His timing sense, the vocal modulation, and full-body expression were immaculate.

He had this notorious habit of changing the topic just at the pinnacle of the climax, and all of us siblings would go crazy. God bless his soul. In the present day, with forums like Ted X coming in to picture, motivating storytelling has taken a different turn. Celebrities, geniuses, and successful people share their stories, achievements, and thoughts of success, gathering a massive crowd of followers. Dan Gilbert, Malcolm Gladwell, and Elizabeth Gilbert rank amongst the top ten life-altering talks on Ted X.?

As everyone would say, people might forget who you are but never forget what you said. So, what makes a story captivating enough that it is unforgettable? Here are some techniques to employ.

Engross the audience

Take the simple but extraordinary example of Richard Turere's "My invention that made peace with the lions." With simple words, rudimentary slides, and graphic imagery, he explained how his invention of a lighting system helped protect his family's livestock from the lions in the village. It is said that images have more impact on humans, and it's easier to recall images than words. Branding consultants in Malaysia and worldwide would suggest this to any organization for a better reach towards their target audience.

Pitch a personal story

Your personal triumph over extremely high odds is always very intriguing. As some would say, an eagle hunting a mouse sounds logical and regular but try to imagine a mouse defeating an eagle in a battle. Captivating right? The basic plots surrounding hero v/s demon, poor to rich, treasure quest, and hero transformation on a voyage have a universal appeal and reach—these plots for part of some of the most popular stories ever.

Suspense

Remember Malala Yousafzai? She began her campaign at the age of eleven. When she finally made it to Ted2014, it was online and set the context for Ziauddin Yousafzai's powerful talk about Malala and their commitment to education. Movie buffs or bookworms appreciate a good story with conflict and a well-planned plot. This sinusoidal wave keeps the listeners and spectators at the edge of their seats. The seesaw between past and present also works wonders in some cases. Just make sure that it's not too predictable!

Lively characters

Details about your characters in the stories make the image more prominent in the audience's minds. Branding consultants in Malaysia always suggest bringing characters to life in advertisements, and it's a more accessible and super practical approach. Pixar's jumping table lamp would be an excellent example of this. That crushing defeat of the alphabet and looking everyone in the eye is unforgettable.

Images over words

This is possibly the first thing one would learn while attending MS PowerPoint training. Images, graphs, and cliparts are easy to relate to and understand. Think of Mr. Bean. How many dialogues does he have in any series? But it is still one of the best in its genre. A scene-by-scene reconstruction of events followed by exchanges instead of narrations helps go a long way.

Paving up to the HERO moment

Try to recall Martin Luther King saying, "I have a dream." How many of us can say what his whole speech was about? Very few. But we all remember this famous quote from him. Even the great Bill Gates tried this out in 2009 in his talk about mosquitoes, malaria, and education. A tuning fork vibrates at the beginning. But steadily, it builds up to a resonating frequency. This resonance height is always written in indelible ink in the audience's minds.

The takeaway

Human psychology likes to hear about a happy ending after all the battles and quarrels. It is almost a crime to leave the audience hungry for more until you are not planning a sequel. Summarizing and a cheerful ending gives a sense of completeness and content. It should satisfy one's thirst through the entire story with a single closing line. Often, this closing statement may make or break it as well. So be careful.

Conclusion

Think about the famous Game of Thrones series. After the first season, where Ned stark is killed, who would have that it will continue for seven more seasons. Imagine how well-knit a story must be to have such an immense viewership. Malaysian branding consultants always suggest these few subjects while introducing a brand into the market. While steep competition lies ahead, how do you make your brand stand out? It's pretty simple, isn't it? Finally, what matters the most is your passion for what you are presenting. People may forget who you are or what you represent. But your storyline should be immortal.