1st Edition

The Story Performance Handbook

By R. Craig Roney Copyright 2001
    212 Pages
    by Routledge

    210 Pages
    by Routledge

    The Story Performance Handbook provides specific, detailed information to help adults develop basic skills in reading aloud, mediated storytelling, and storytelling. Organized sequentially, each chapter moves the reader from the easiest (reading aloud picture books) to the most difficult (creating your own stories for telling) storytelling experience, cumulatively building story performance skill in selecting, preparing, and delivering stories and poetry to audiences. This structure allows individuals to begin reading at various points depending on their prior experience with story performance.

    The text includes several features that make learning to perform stories and poetry easy to understand and manage:
    * Explicit, thorough advice avoids confusion, such as how to select, prepare, and deliver stories and poetry via reading aloud, mediated storytelling, and storytelling.
    * The sequential chapter organization, progressing from easiest to most difficult, and Developmental and Culminating Activities at the end of each skill chapter, enable this text to be used either independently or in conjunction with courses or workshops in story performance.
    * Unique among story performance texts, instruction is based not only on the author's own extensive experience but also on empirical research related to teaching adults to tell stories.
    * Specific information is easily located throughout the text: Processes are presented in bold type, numbered sequentially and, at the end of specific chapters, skill building activities are provided. Figures (which provide additional detailed information) are boxed. Examples of processes are highlighted with background shading.

    Contents: Preface. Part I: Reading Aloud. Introduction to Reading Aloud. Reading Aloud Picture Books. Reading Aloud Chapter Books. Reading Poetry Aloud. Part II: Transition to Storytelling. Sharing Stories Through the Use of Props. Part III: Storytelling. Introduction to Storytelling. Stand-Up Storytelling. Telling Your Own Self-Created Tales. Part IV: Developing Story Performance Programs. Creating a Story Performance Program.

    Biography

    R. Craig Roney

    "The writing is clear and the author supplies numerous well-selected examples that are easy to follow. The text is appropriate for college classrooms and for workshops, yet the principles are suitable for teaching children and young adults. Roney's techniques and tips for success will lead beginners in reading aloud or in telling toward greater skill."
    School Library Journal

    "The author, a well-known storyteller from Wayne State University, uses his own practices and experiences to support the narrative. This volume would be of value to preservice teachers, practicing teachers, librarians, clergy, and others who perform in front of audiences. Designed for undergraduate classrooms and workshop settings, the book will be appropriate for an undergraduate teacher education audience."
    CHOICE

    "I am really impressed with this book. Because reading aloud and storytelling are staples for literacy, it is especially helpful to have this combination of the practical and theoretical. This book will be very useful for both professionals and amateurs. It is well organized, very readable, comprehensive, and accessible."
    Judith Volc
    Children's Literature Specialist, Boulder Public Library

    "A significant contribution....Leads people into independent, extended stand-alone storytelling in an easily incremental manner....The writing is admirably clear and engaging....The activities are eminently practical....I've known Dr. Roney's work for years, and have respected him, waiting for him to get around to doing a book!"
    John W. Stewig
    University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee