----------------------------------- Telling Stories ----------------------------------
One of the most important ways to link ideas is to sequence them. Sequencing
refers to the order in which events happened. These are some of the most common
ways to sequence in writing or speaking:
EXAMPLE PASSAGE: A Conference in Chicago
Last week, I visited Chicago to attend a business conference. While I was there, I
decided to visit the Art Institute of Chicago. To start off, my flight was delayed.
Next, the airline lost my luggage, so I had to wait for two hours at the airport while
they tracked it down. Unexpectedly, the luggage had been set aside and forgotten.
As soon as they found my luggage, I found a taxi and rode into town. During the
ride into town, the driver told me about his last visit to the Art Institute. After I had
arrived safely, everything began to go smoothly. The business conference was very
interesting, and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the institute. Finally, I caught my
flight back to Seattle.
Luckily, everything went smoothly. I arrived home just in time to kiss my daughter
goodnight.
# Sequencing Steps #
Sequencing refers to the order in which events happened. Sequencing is often made
easier by the use of transition words. Following are some of the most common
words and expressions used to sequence when writing or speaking.
Beginning your story
Create the beginning of your story with these expressions. Use a comma after
the introductory phrase. (examples in blue)
First of all, I opened the computer.
To start off with, we decided our destination was New York.
Initially, I thought it was a bad idea.
To begin with, I grew up in London.
Continuing the story
You can continue the story with the following expressions, or use a time clause
beginning with "as soon as" or "after." When using a time clause, use the past
simple after the time expression, such as:
Then, I started to get worried.
After that, we knew that there would be no problem!
Next, we decided on our strategy.
As soon as /When + full clause, we arrived, we unpacked our bags.
We were sure everything was ready, but then we discovered some
unexpected problems.
Immediately, I telephoned my friend Tom.
Interruptions and Adding New Elements to the Story
You can use expressions to add suspense to your story, like suddenly or unexpectedly.
Examples of using these interrupting phrases or turning to a new element include:
Suddenly, a child burst into the room with a note for Ms. Smith.
Unexpectedly, the people in the room didn't agree with the mayor.
Ending the Story
Mark the end of your story with introductory phrases: finally, in the end,
eventually…
Examples of using these ending words in a story include:
Finally, I flew to London for my meeting with Jack.
In the end, he decided to postpone the project.
Eventually, we became tired and returned home.
When you tell stories, you will also need to give reasons for actions. Review tips on
linking your ideas and providing reasons for your actions to help you understand
how to do so.
# Events Occurring at the Same Time #
The use of "while" and "as" introduce a dependent clause and require an
independent clause to complete your sentence. "During" is used with a noun, noun
phrase, or noun clause and does not require a subject and object. The construction
for this kind of sentence is:
While / As + subject + verb + dependent clause or independent clause + while /
as + subject + verb
An example of using "while" in a sentence is:
While I was giving the presentation, a member of the audience asked an
interesting question.
Jennifer told her story as I prepared dinner.
The construction for using "during" in a sentence is: During + noun (noun clause)
Examples of using "during" in a sentence include:
During the meeting, Jack came over and asked me a few questions.
We explored a number of approaches during the presentation.
Exercise: Test Your Knowledge!
Provide an appropriate sequencing word to fill in the blanks. Use the options below.
The same expression can be used twice, and you won’t need to use all of them.
First of all After that When
Finally Suddenly immediately
As soon as To start off with In the end
Unexpectedly as Next
While Then Eventually
To begin with During Initially
My friend and I visited Rome last summer. (1) ________, we flew from New York to
Rome in first class. It was fantastic! (2) _________ we arrived in Rome, we (3) ______
went to the hotel and took a long nap. (4) ________, we went out to find a great
restaurant for dinner. (5) ________, a scooter appeared out of nowhere and almost hit
me! The rest of the trip had no surprises. (6) __________, we began to explore Rome.
(7) ________ the afternoons, we visited ruins and museums. At night, we hit the
clubs and wandered the streets. One night, (8) ________ I was getting some ice
cream, I saw an old friend from high school. Imagine that! (9) _________, we caught
our flight back to New York. We were happy and ready to begin work again.
ANSWER EXERCISE 1
Provide an appropriate sequencing word to fill in the blanks. The answers follow the
quiz.
Multiple answers are possible for some of the blanks:
My friend and I visited Rome last summer. (1) First of all / To start off with / Initially
/ To begin with, we flew from New York to Rome in first class. It was fantastic! (2) As
soon as / When we arrived in Rome, we (3) immediately went to the hotel and took a
long nap. (4) Then / After that / Next, we went out to find a great restaurant for
dinner. (5) Suddenly / Unexpectedly, a scooter appeared out of nowhere and almost
hit me! The rest of the trip had no surprises. (6) Then / After that / Next, we began to
explore Rome. (7) During the afternoons, we visited ruins and museums. At night,
we hit the clubs and wandered the streets. One night, (8) While / As I was getting
some ice cream, I saw an old friend from high school. Imagine that! (9) Finally / In
the end / Eventually, we caught our flight back to New York. We were happy and
ready to begin work again.
A general guide to telling stories
1. Use beginning phrases to start a story.
In typical conversations, storytelling begins after being asked with a question
“what happened?” Start by having an introduction to your story so your
conversation partner will have an idea of what you are going to talk about. Use
beginning phrases to cue your listeners that a story is about to be opened.
“It all started when…” // “To begin…” // “It all began when…”
2. Provide a background to set the scene of your story
Introduce to your listeners the setting of your story. By providing them a clear
background, they will be able to imagine the scene of the story and feel as if they’re
there. You can include details about who is involved, where it took place, and what
you were doing at that time.
3. Choose relevant content
Include details that are important to be mentioned in the story and omit the ones
that aren’t needed. You can share relevant content by involving details in your
experience that you think are relatable to your listeners.
4. Use sequencing words
Continue giving details in the story in an organized way by including proper
sequencing of events.Smoothly transition your story from event to event by using
sequencing words.
“First of all…” // “Previously..” // “Next…” // “After that…” // “Finally…” // “In the end…”
5. Use interruption words to create suspense
To hint your listeners that something surprising or important is about to happen,
use words that introduce interruptions.
Suddenly // Unexpectedly
6. Use linking words
Keep your story flow logical, to keep your listener engaged and interested. Good
Transitional words you can use are:
“Because….” // “As a result..” // “Although…”
7. Use time words
Time words will enable your listener to know when the events took place.Time
words can be placed at the beginning or end of a sentence.
yesterday // today // this morning // last night
8. Describe emotions
By describing your emotions, your listeners can understand what you felt at that
time. It also creates a sense of immersion as they go through an emotional
experience while listening to your story.
“The news was so shocking.” // “I was speechless.” // “It was devastating.”
9. End your story well
Abruptly ending a story will make them feel left hanging.Use a key phrase or word
as well to hint that your story is about to end.
Finally… // In the end… // lastly…
More examples of telling stories:
https://english-at-home.com/speaking/telling-a-story/
HOMEWORK
Write a story (real or not) using as much connectors as you can. Remember to start
with a beginning phrase, connect the events during the story, and finish with
ending words.
REFERENCES
https://www.thoughtco.com/telling-stories-sequencing-your-ideas-1210770#:~:text=Suddenly
%20%2F%20Unexpectedly-,Then%20%2F%20After%20that%20%2F%20Next,Finally
%20%2F%20In%20the%20end%20%2F%20Eventually
http://languagelearningbase.com/85269/telling-stories-sequencing-your-ideas
https://www.lingualbox.com/blog/how-to-tell-a-story-in-english
