Storytelling is a critical component of good speechmaking, whether to one or an audience of thousands. You can enhance storytelling skills with Tall Tales.
The story, true or not, paints a picture for an audience’s eye to see, experience, and, most importantly, remember the point it illustrates.
What are Tall Tales?
In Toastmasters, we have a competition called a Tall Tale. A Tall Tale is, according to Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tall_tale
A tall tale is a story with unbelievable elements, related as if it were true and factual. Some tall tales are exaggerations of actual events, for example, fish stories such as, “That fish was so big, why I tell ya’, it nearly sank the boat when I pulled it in!” Events are often told in a way that makes the narrator seem to have been a part of the story; the tone is generally good-natured.
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tall_tale
Crafting and delivering a Tall Tale indeed sharpens one’s storytelling skills.
An Example of a Tall Tales speech
Earlier this month (January 2022), a long-time fellow Toastmaster and friend passed from complications related to cancer. You can read more about Marcia Bruce Bush here. But for this post, I share with you one of the most delightful Tall Tales I ever heard, delivered by Marcia. It is titled “I was the 1973 Rose Bowl Parade Queen.”
Her tale is a success on many fronts. Here are two reasons based on a post titled Tall Tips from the Experts https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2020/dec/true-lies
Mary Lou Williams
Tell the tale in a deadpan style to enhance the audience’s belief in your sincerity. The greater the contrast between deadpan style and over-the-top content, the greater the comedic effect.
Robert Cravalho
Be careful not to stretch the story too far. If you do, the story becomes unbelievable, and you run the risk of creating a fairy tale. You want to keep the realism in the story and leave the audience wondering if the story really occurred.
https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2020/dec/true-lies
In addition to the tips cited above, Marcia’s Tall Tale is a success for additional reasons. First, her tale is genuinely original. And that costume – a too-small ballroom dress Marcia found at a thrift store. In fact, the dress inspired the entire tall story! Marcia believably delivered her tale for two reasons. First, John Wayne was the Grand Marshall for the 1973 Rose Bowl parade. Second, the requirements to be a Rosebowl Parade Queen are accurate. Both enabled her to deliver her tale as if recalling an incident. That is believable. It was, well, conversational. Easy to listen to. And totally entertaining. Finally, it had the requisite twist at the end was perfect.
Try Telling Tall Tales!
You can develop your storytelling skills by sharing Tall Tales with children! There are many classic folklore Tall Tales. Or you can make one up yourself! Have fun! What a wonderful way to be remembered!!!
Many will miss Marcia and be remembered for so many things – especially her Tall Tale. Keep in mind this video is one of her earlier practices of the tale. After working with it for 2 months, her delivery was flawless and totally entertaining. Enjoy the video.
