Storytelling

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– Historical Perspective:
– Storytelling predates writing and was initially oral with gestures and expressions.
– Rock art may have served as a form of storytelling for ancient cultures.
– Australian aboriginal people used symbols on cave walls to aid storytelling.
– Folktales often share common motifs across various human cultures.
– Story cycles, mythic heroes, and religious narratives have evolved from originally oral tales.

– Evolution of Storytelling Mediums:
– Stories have been recorded on various materials like wood, stone, paper, and digital media.
– Oral storytelling continues despite the popularity of written and televised media.
– New media forms provide different ways to record and consume stories.
– Interactive platforms like games and documentaries employ storytelling techniques.
– Self-revelatory stories are increasingly used for therapeutic purposes.

– Contemporary Storytelling Forms:
– Modern storytelling encompasses fairytales, myths, personal narratives, and political commentary.
– Educational objectives are often addressed through storytelling.
– Different narrative forms like digital storytelling and role-playing games are considered storytelling.
– Tools for group communication allow reframing individual stories into group narratives.
– Storytelling is used for psychological and social change in transformative arts practices.

– Role of Storytelling in Cultural Expression:
– Storytelling reflects evolving cultural norms and historical events.
– It is a tool for representing history and addressing educational objectives.
– Cultural storytelling traditions continue to influence contemporary storytelling.
– Storytelling can be used to precipitate psychological and social change.
– Different narrative forms, including digital storytelling, contribute to cultural expression.

– Impact of Storytelling on Society:
– Storytelling is a powerful tool for communication and understanding.
– It plays a role in shaping individual and collective identities.
– Storytelling can be used to address social issues and promote change.
– Storytelling mediums have evolved to include digital platforms and interactive experiences.
– The therapeutic and cathartic effects of storytelling are increasingly recognized.

Storytelling (Wikipedia)

Storytelling is the social and cultural activity of sharing stories, sometimes with improvisation, theatrics or embellishment. Every culture has its own stories or narratives, which are shared as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation or instilling moral values. Crucial elements of stories and storytelling include plot, characters and narrative point of view. The term "storytelling" can refer specifically to oral storytelling but also broadly to techniques used in other media to unfold or disclose the narrative of a story.

The Boyhood of Raleigh by Sir John Everett Millais, oil on canvas, 1870.
A seafarer tells the young Walter Raleigh and his brother the story of what happened out at sea.
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