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"Storytelling" is a term that has a continuum of meaning.

At one end of the continuum is the most used sense, which is broad-- not only actors, rappers, singers, and comics, but movie directors, painters, novelists and so forth can be storytellers.

At the other end of the continuum is a narrowly specific activity, one which gives the broader sense its meaning. Somebody is speaking to another or others, face to face, in real time, using a thread of language to weave a narrative that satisfies the listener's intuitive requirements for what makes a story. As with what makes food palatable, those requirements vary from group to group, but do not require study on the part of the consumer.

timj

Do you know of a scholar who expressed the distinction you make? ---Rednblu | Talk 21:34, 25 Jan 2005 (UTC)

OED:

storyteller: one who tells stories
- 1) one who is accustomed to tell stories or anecdotes in conversation
- 2) euphemistically: a liar
- 3) One whose business it is to recite legendary or romantic legends
- 4) a writer of stories.

(I qualify under all these categories) Scholarship is scattered and often not to the point in this field. Professional storytellers and storytelling enthusiasts have mostly stopped debating what storytelling is-- it was one of those endless arguments, of the kind familiar to old hands in science fiction and folk music. I've been thinking about it and corresponding about it (on the Storytell mailing list) and writing about it (in Storytelling Magazine and other places) for some time; this is a distillation that a lot of folks can agree on. ---timj

Good Grief 78.16.49.130 (talk) 05:07, 26 October 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Tagged for tone

This article has been tagged as having an inappropriate tone, as it has been written in an essay form (if I didn't know better, I'd even suggest someone had cut and pasted their own essay in as the article). It needs rewriting to make it more encyclopaedic. But it's a big job, and I don't have time right now. Proto t c 14:50, 16 September 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Tone looks fine to me...

I don't mean to disagree outright, but I do a lot of this kind of writing, and the current tone on 10/12/2005 looks GREAT to me. I suggest the tag be removed. —Kth 13 October 2005

(Please sign your posts.) I agree with Proto; the article currently has a bit of a "how-to" feel, and should be rephrased to sound neutral and encyclopedic instead. I've made several minor changes that I hope will help. --LostLeviathan 05:29, 15 October 2005 (UTC)
I would also tend to agree with Proto. I think the article is extremely essay-like, has abrupt topic changes, very little overall 'flow,' and is oddly specific when addressing (for example) Genesis while barely or not at all addressing (for example) non-oral storytelling. -Trillian, 28 November 2005
I agree with Proto - the article is very essay-like. Case in point: Opening with a quote rather than a definition. Needs major cleanup, which I will begin later. Have reinstated the "inappropriate tone" tag. —EatMyShortz 14:47, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
- Oh, I see what's happened. At the time Kth wrote his comment ([1]) it was a lot better (for instance, it didn't open with an essay paragraph). But it seems to have since deteriorated. Perhaps fixes could be made with reference to that version (not a redirect, just using it to help). —EatMyShortz 14:56, 14 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Standard Types of Story?

I have heard that all stories can be classified as one of six or seven standard types. Is this true? Does anyone know more about these types? I would guess that "poor boy made good", and "unrequited love" might be two of the standard types. --Richard@lbrc.org 08:07, 5 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Yes, the seven basic plots

see 'The Seven basic plots' by Christopher Booker —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 130.88.47.181 (talk) 13:01, 19 February 2007 (UTC).

It is rather late to join this debate, but Booker's seven basic plots are listed as Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, The Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy and Rebirth, in the Guardian's review of the book. See [2].Patche99z (talk) 15:29, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

I am adding external links to three websites The National Storytelling Network The Art of Storytelling Blog and Podcast Tim Sheppard's Storytelling resources on the Web page. and the National Storytelling Center's Website.

I think that the current link storytelling in business is a for profit out fit that is selling links and not a legitimate source or a worthy link.

But since I am adding links I am going to let some one else decide what is worthy and not worthy.

--209.251.17.95 14:33, 7 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Needs rearranging

In desperate need of rewriting. Content is good, but not really in any logical sequence - it seems like fragmented thoughts put in no specific order. Also, the Genesis point is valid, but it should be included as a short point, as there is a separate article availble for in depth analysis.

[edit] Nightmares

FYI the 'mare' from the term 'nightmare' is cognate with the German 'Märchen', so that 'nightmare' has little to do with horses or bad dreams. Rather, it's a story told during the night, while you sleep.

[edit] This part sounds weird

"Stories are frequently used to teach, explain, and/or entertain. Less frequently, but occasionally with major consequences, they have been used to mislead. There can be much truth in a story of fiction, and much falsehood in a story that uses facts.

Storytelling has existed as long as humanity has had language. Every culture has its stories and legends, just as every culture has its storytellers and often revered figures with the magic of the tale in their voices and minds."

This sounds like an essay, as others have stated. Who said "there can be much truth in a story of fiction, and much falsehood in a story that uses facts" ?? According to what authority? Sounds like someone's opinion.alvastarr (talk) 03:28, 25 December 2008 (UTC)

[edit] POV-check

I tried pruning the article by removing any and all words/sentences/paragraphs/sections that sounded so essay like as to, IMO, justify scrapping 'em and starting from scratch. I'm not sure if I succeeded, so I am nominating this article for a POV check. Hopefully, we can improve this article to FA status. --Call me Bubba (talk) 03:24, 13 January 2009 (UTC)

[edit] Broken link

the first link in "external links" is broken!

Fixed A Softer Answer (talk) 21:26, 19 February 2009 (UTC)

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