Introduction to Storytelling
Who doesn't love a good story? In this class, students will learn the basic principles of storytelling that can be applied in many ways that we don't ever think about like public speaking, essay writing, video game design, and more!
What's included
8 live meetings
8 in-class hoursMastery Evaluation
1-2 hours per week. Thinking about stories outside of class timeGrading
There will be no formal grade; feedback will be provided by the instructor and other learners.Class Experience
In this class, we'll cover the basic principles of storytelling that can be used in many mediums. Though we often think of storytelling as books and movies, it can be used in so many ways like marketing, social media, videogames, stand up comedy, essays, public speaking, and so much more! Each class will cover a basic principle: plot, characters, settings, themes, and conflicts, and have an interactive activity that will require class participation. Our lessons will begin with learning the fundamentals of a storytelling principle through a lecture and accompanying slideshow, then go into an activity so learners can put their skills into practice. We'll use different methods to keep learners engaged including PowerPoint Presentations, interactive whiteboards, games, and discussions.
Learning Goals
By the end of the course, learners will have a good grasp on the principles of storytelling, which they can use in many ways.Students will feel confident is constructing a narrative because they'll have spent time learning the fundamentals of a story and connecting all the pieces together.
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
What is a story?
In this lesson, we'll discuss the basic idea of a story. Everyone has their own thoughts on what makes a good story, and we'll analyze what they all have in common. This lesson is to get familiar with the idea of storytelling before we start learning the fundamental pieces that hold a story together. Along with some lecture, we'll have two interactive activities: talking about how stories are used in our lives and finding ways we can improve some famous stories. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
What is a theme?
In this lesson, we'll talk about the different themes in a story. Themes are the deeper meaning behind a story and the reason for getting it into the world. Is this a funny story to be told as part of a standup comedy bit? A potential videogame about a zombie apocalypse? a mystery in a fantastical world with dragons and wizards? Themes help stories have a greater impact because there's something in it for audiences. Our activity will look at themes in other stories to see their influence. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
What is a conflict?
In this lesson, we'll discuss how a conflict is the heart of a story and keeps characters moving onward. There are several types of conflicts in stories, and we'll chat about the different ways they arise and how they are resolved. We'll look into other stories to see how conflicts influences things like character development, world-building, secondary plotlines, and more! The activities for this lesson will look at some famous stories for all the different types of conflicts. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
What is a setting?
In this lesson, we'll discuss how to a setting grounds a story and establishes parameters for a fictional world. This lesson is especially important for storytellers who want to work in fantasy, science fiction, mystery, or any other genre that extends beyond the real world. The activity will have students working together to design a setting in a fictional world using the principles discussed in the lesson. There will be additional 60 mins online live lesson
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
N/A
Joined October, 2024
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from University of Toronto
I have worked as a communications advisor for over ten years with the Federal Government of Canada, Oracle, and other organizations. For the last five years, I've specifically worked in advising to promote storytelling initiatives, focusing on brand recognition and promotion. In this role, I've worked with many teams and departments to break down the fundamental components of storytelling to engage audiences on projects and products. As many have come to learn, using storytelling as a promotion tool is very effective: developing an emotional connection helps keep something in your brain longer, and stories do this naturally.
Being a strong storyteller can help in so many ways, not just by keeping audiences engaged and entertained. Strong stories are the basis of many industries, so knowing how to structure a narrative can be imperative to success for future careers and personal development.
Having volunteered at summer camps and raising a young daughter, I'm very excited at the prospect of bringing my storytelling expertise to children. Almost all of my advising with respect to storytelling has been with adults in a marketing/advertising capacity, and I can't wait to work with children to help them bring their imaginations to life. There will always been a need for new, fresh stories, and I can't wait to help my students feel confident in their ability to tell the world their ideas. Reviews
Live Group Class
$20
weekly or $160 for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
60 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
2-12 learners per class
