Telling a story

Tell a story in order, with the scene, the events and the ending. Lesson 24 of 58: Conversation, CEFR B1.

Background and events

Use the past continuous for the background, what was going on: “I was walking home. It was raining.” Use the past simple for the events that happen in it: “Suddenly my phone rang.” The continuous paints the scene; the simple moves the story.
I was waiting for the bus when I saw her. (Background + event)
While we were having dinner, the lights went out.

Sequence words guide the listener: first, then, after that, a few minutes later, eventually, in the end. To go back further, use the past perfect: “When I got to the station, the train had already left.”
At first, I didn’t notice anything.
Eventually, we found the right building.
The train had already left. (Earlier than the moment of the story)

A good spoken story is short: set the scene in one line, build to the moment, and end with what happened or how you felt. Use direct speech and the present tense for drama: “So he looks at me and says, ‘Are you serious?’” Listeners react with “No way!”, “Really?”, “What happened next?”
You’ll never guess what happened. (A hook)
So anyway, to cut a long story short… (Skipping ahead)
In the end, it all worked out. (Closing)
Tip: Practise a story you tell often until it takes under ninety seconds.

Tell a true story in under ninety seconds: something funny, surprising or embarrassing that happened to you. Set the scene, build to the moment, and say how it ended.
I set the scene with the past continuous
I used sequence words
I had a hook at the start and a clear ending
It was under ninety seconds

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