UNIT THREE INTRODUCTION
This unit is dedicated to the following identifying the fundamentals of telling a story to engage the listener. This is as much art as it is science, and the practice of storytelling is at least as old as the Bible itself.
UNIT THREE OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Analyze the components of effective storytelling from a contemporary master storyteller.
2. Examine those characteristics that detract from storytelling.
3. Identify the fundamentals of telling a story to engage the listener.
4. Model the creation of a sermon with a focus on storytelling.
UNIT THREE RESOURCES
Textbook: The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching
Media Clip: A Prairie Home Companion: The News from Lake Wobegon, February 14, 2009 by Garrison Keillor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzF2Jw2jZd8
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UNIT THREE ASSIGNMENTS
3.1 TEXT/MEDIA: TEXTBOOK; MEDIA CLIP
INTRODUCTION AND ALIGNMENT
In our course text the authors go to some length to introduce the reader to the various aspects of stories and illustrations. This assignment aligns with the course in that storytelling and illustration are necessary components of effective biblical communication.
Upon completion of this assignment you should be able to:
Identify the fundamentals of telling a story to engage the listener.
RESOURCES
Textbook: The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching
Media Clip: A Prairie Home Companion: The News from Lake Wobegon, February 14, 2009 by Garrison Keillor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzF2Jw2jZd8
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In the section of the course text you are asked to read for this assignment, the text writers highlight the following regarding storytelling and illustrations:
• How to tell a moving story
• Bringing Bible stories to life
• Suspense
• Tension
• Illustrating from culture
• Illustrating with integrity and sensitivity
• Avoiding self-centeredness in illustration
Garrison Keillor has been a part of public radio since as far back as 1974. His Public Radio show A Prairie Home Companion has an audience numbering in the millions. Of particular interest to story tellers is his standing segment during each radio show where he highlights the goings on of his fictional hometown, Lake Wobegon. Keillor excels in that he knows the idiosyncrasies of small town America, and is a master at relating those in an engaging and humorous way.
Please note – the selection of this brief media clip for you to watch is in no way an endorsement of Keillor’s lifestyle, values, word selection or political positions. You are directed to watch this only as an example of one who knows how to tell a story.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read the textbook, chapters 130-145.
2. View the storytelling Media Clip: A Prairie Home Companion: The News from Lake Wobegon, February 14, 2009 by Garrison Keillor
3. Feel free to consult any other scholarly sources regarding storytelling and illustration.
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3.4 UNIT ASSIGNMENT: IDENTIFYING THE FUNDAMENTALS EXERCISE
INTRODUCTION AND ALIGNMENT
In this assignment, you will now narrow down the fundamentals of storytelling and illustration. This assignment aligns with the course in that it causes the student to focus on those components that make for good illustration/storytelling.
Upon completion of this assignment you should be able to:
Identify the fundamentals of telling a story to engage the listener.
RESOURCES
Textbook: Robinson, Haddon, and Craig Brian Larson. The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching
Media Clip: A Prairie Home Companion: The News from Lake Wobegon, February 14, 2009 by Garrison Keillor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzF2Jw2jZd8
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Now is the time for you to put together some cogent ideas about the fundamentals of storytelling. You have saturated yourself in this week’s readings, learning from some of the best homiletical minds in the country. You have also viewed at least one example of storytelling in that of Garrison Keillor. In this exercise, you will have the opportunity to think for yourself about what you believe to be the essentials of good story telling. You will want to consider the following:
• What you have learned from your reading
• What you have learned from watching the Keillor media clip
• Suspense
• Drama
• Emotion
• The effective use of the pause
• The play on words, or the double entendre
• The role of humor
• The role of sadness
• The role of appropriate anger
• The leading of the Holy Spirit
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Find a quiet place of reflection.
2. Think about the components you feel are essential to good story telling (no less than seven components).
3. In a Word document, list each of the seven and describe the importance of each in its own paragraph of no less than 75 words.
4. Submit in Word document.