2184 - 3 Tips for Telling Better Stories in English

All Ears English
16 Apr 202418:45

Summary

TLDRThe video script is an engaging discussion about the art of storytelling in English, particularly focusing on the use of phrases like 'I was like' and 'I told' in casual conversations. The speakers, Aubrey and L, explore how these expressions can add interest and authenticity to a story without needing to quote verbatim. They delve into the nuances of using 'I was like' as a quotative verb to convey thoughts, feelings, or general statements, and 'I told' for recounting what was actually said in a more specific manner. The conversation also touches on the use of 'I was all' for emphasizing reactions or thoughts. The speakers provide examples and role-play scenarios to illustrate the natural flow of these phrases in storytelling. They emphasize that while these expressions are great for informal settings, they should be avoided in formal contexts like job interviews or business meetings. The summary concludes with an encouragement to practice storytelling as a means to connect with others on a deeper level.

Takeaways

  • šŸ“š **Effective Storytelling**: Being good at storytelling is an important social skill that can make interactions more engaging and memorable.
  • šŸ—£ļø **Use of 'I was like'**: 'I was like' is used as a quotative verb to share a general sense of what was said or thought, rather than an exact quote.
  • šŸ¤” **Expressing Thoughts**: When recounting a story, it's common to express personal thoughts or reactions to events using phrases like 'I was like' to convey feelings.
  • šŸ‘¤ **Personality in Storytelling**: The way individuals tell stories can reflect their personality, with some preferring to use 'I was like' and others 'I was all'.
  • ā³ **Keeping the Flow**: Using 'I was like' helps maintain the flow of a story without disrupting it with exact quotes that might not be memorable or relevant.
  • šŸ“‰ **Avoiding Boredom**: To keep an audience engaged, avoid telling a story in a monotonous or uninteresting way that could cause people to lose interest.
  • šŸ“š **Historical Context**: Storytelling is a fundamental human activity that dates back to our evolutionary past, making it a deeply ingrained social tool.
  • šŸ“ **Regional Variations**: There are regional differences in how storytelling phrases are used, which can be influenced by local culture and language habits.
  • šŸš« **Formal vs. Informal**: The phrases 'I was like' and 'I was all' are informal and should be avoided in formal settings like job interviews or business meetings.
  • šŸ¤ **Connection Through Stories**: Sharing stories is a powerful way to connect with others, as it allows for the exchange of experiences and emotions.
  • šŸ“ˆ **Skill Development**: Practicing storytelling can improve one's ability to engage others and create deeper connections, making it a valuable communication skill.

Q & A

  • What is the key skill Aubrey believes they possess in a social setting?

    -Aubrey believes that being a good storyteller is one of their biggest skills in a social setting, as they enjoy making stories funny, interesting, and engaging.

  • What does L find challenging about storytelling?

    -L admits that they are not the best at storytelling and it's not their zone of genius, indicating they find it challenging to tell stories effectively.

  • What is the purpose of using 'I was like' in a story?

    -The phrase 'I was like' is used as a quotative verb to introduce a direct quote or internal dialogue, especially when the speaker can't remember the exact words but wants to convey the general idea or their thoughts.

  • Why is it less effective to use 'I said' in a casual storytelling context?

    -Using 'I said' in a casual storytelling context can be less effective because it implies an exact quote, which can disrupt the flow of the story and make it seem more formal and less natural.

  • What is the difference between using 'I told' and 'I was like'?

    -'I told' is used to share what was actually said in a more specific manner, whereas 'I was like' is used to convey a general sense of what was said or thought without providing an exact quote.

  • When is it appropriate to use 'I was all' in a story?

    -'I was all' is used to portray feelings, reactions, and thoughts in a more emphatic and exaggerated way. It is appropriate in casual and informal storytelling to add interest and engagement.

  • Why might using 'I was like' or 'I was all' not be suitable for a business setting?

    -These phrases are very informal and casual, making them unsuitable for formal business settings like job interviews or meetings where a more professional and articulate language is expected.

  • What is the significance of using 'can confirm' in the conversation?

    -'Can confirm' is a trendy and native way to affirm that something is true or to agree with a statement. It's a shorthand version of saying 'I can confirm that'.

  • How can the use of 'I was like' add to the interest of a story?

    -By using 'I was like,' storytellers can share their internal dialogue or reactions to events, providing a more personal and engaging narrative that allows the audience to understand the speaker's perspective better.

  • Why is it important to avoid repeating 'I said', 'he said', 'she said' in a story?

    -Repeating these phrases can make a story monotonous and less engaging. Varying the language and using phrases like 'I was like' or 'I told' can keep the story interesting and maintain the audience's attention.

  • What is the role of body language and facial expressions in storytelling?

    -Body language and facial expressions play a significant role in storytelling as they can convey a person's reaction or thoughts without the need for direct speech. This non-verbal communication adds depth and realism to the story.

Outlines

00:00

šŸ˜€ Storytelling Skills and Techniques

The first paragraph introduces the topic of storytelling, with the speaker expressing their confidence in their storytelling abilities. They discuss how they enjoy making stories more engaging by building suspense and exaggerating details. The conversation then shifts to a discussion about the patterns and phrases native English speakers use when telling stories, emphasizing the importance of making stories interesting and engaging to maintain the audience's attention. The speakers also address a question from a listener about the use of 'I told' and 'I was like' in storytelling, explaining the contexts in which each is appropriately used.

05:06

šŸ—£ļø 'I Was Like': A Conversational Tool

In the second paragraph, the speakers delve into the use of 'I was like' as a quotative verb in storytelling. They explain that it is used to introduce a direct quote or internal dialogue when the exact words are not remembered. It allows the storyteller to share the general idea of what was said or thought without the pressure of being exact, which can interrupt the flow of the story. The paragraph also touches on regional variations and generational differences in language use, hinting at a future episode that might explore these aspects further.

10:10

šŸ“£ 'I Told' for Specificity in Storytelling

The third paragraph focuses on the use of 'I told' in storytelling. It is used to share what was actually said, providing a more specific account compared to the general sense given by 'I was like.' The speakers provide examples to illustrate the difference and discuss the importance of using these phrases to maintain interest and engagement in a story. They also mention that 'I was like' and 'I was all' are more informal and should be avoided in formal settings like job interviews or business meetings.

15:13

šŸŽ­ The Art of Storytelling: Engaging the Audience

The final paragraph wraps up the discussion by emphasizing the importance of storytelling in human connection. The speakers suggest that using phrases like 'I was like' and 'I was all' can add interest to stories, but they caution against using them in formal contexts. They propose the idea of creating a course on storytelling to help listeners improve their skills. The paragraph ends with a reminder that people are naturally inclined to enjoy stories, and the speakers encourage practice and sharing personal stories to foster deeper connections.

Mindmap

Keywords

šŸ’”Storytelling

Storytelling is the art of narrating a series of events or experiences in a manner that engages an audience. In the context of the video, Aubrey and L discuss the importance of storytelling in social settings and how it can be used to share interesting or funny occurrences. Storytelling is highlighted as a human trait that dates back to evolutionary times, where people would gather around fires in caves to share tales.

šŸ’”Quotative Verbs

Quotative verbs are used to introduce direct quotes or internal dialogue in a narrative. 'I was like' is a common quotative verb that allows the speaker to share their thoughts or reactions without claiming to quote themselves verbatim. It is used in the video to illustrate how one might convey their internal response to a situation, such as 'I was like, what is going on with this guy?'

šŸ’”Suspense

Suspense is the feeling of excitement or anxiety caused by something that is unexpected or unknown. In storytelling, building suspense is a technique used to keep the audience engaged and eager to know what happens next. The video emphasizes the importance of creating suspense in a story to maintain interest, as demonstrated by the speaker's enjoyment in exaggerating certain elements to build anticipation.

šŸ’”Engagement

Engagement refers to the involvement or participation in an activity, in this case, the act of listening to a story. The video discusses how effective storytelling can increase engagement, ensuring that the audience remains attentive and connected to the narrative. It is mentioned that one should avoid being a boring storyteller whose audience's eyes 'glaze over'.

šŸ’”Exaggeration

Exaggeration is the act of representing something as being larger or more significant than it is, often for emphasis or humorous effect. In the context of the video, Aubrey mentions the use of exaggeration as a storytelling technique to make a story more entertaining. It is a tool to enhance the narrative and capture the audience's attention.

šŸ’”I told

The phrase 'I told' is used to indicate that the speaker is recounting what they have said to someone else, without necessarily quoting themselves word for word. It is a way to convey the general idea or meaning of what was communicated. In the video, it is contrasted with 'I was like', where the latter is more about expressing thoughts or reactions, and 'I told' is more about the act of informing or advising.

šŸ’”I was all

The phrase 'I was all' is used to express a strong reaction or feeling to a situation. It is often used to convey the speaker's emotional response or thoughts that were not necessarily spoken out loud. In the video, it is mentioned as a more emphatic and informal way to share one's reaction, such as 'I was all, how did you misunderstand the instructions?'

šŸ’”Formal vs. Informal

The distinction between formal and informal language is important in storytelling as it can affect the audience's perception and engagement. The video emphasizes that while certain phrases like 'I was like' and 'I was all' are effective in informal settings, they may not be appropriate in formal contexts such as job interviews or business meetings. The speakers suggest using more formal language in professional settings.

šŸ’”

šŸ’”Casual Conversation

Casual conversation refers to informal, everyday dialogue between people, often characterized by a relaxed tone and the use of colloquial language. The video discusses the use of storytelling in casual conversations, such as sharing weekend experiences with friends. It is noted that casual storytelling can help build connections and deepen relationships.

šŸ’”Role Play

Role play is a method of teaching or training where participants act out roles within a simulated situation. In the video, Aubrey and L use role play to demonstrate how to effectively use storytelling techniques in a conversation. This interactive approach helps illustrate the practical application of the discussed concepts and makes the learning process more engaging.

šŸ’”Business English

Business English refers to the use of English in professional settings, characterized by more formal language and a focus on clarity and precision. The video briefly touches on the idea of using storytelling in a business context, suggesting that different, more formal language structures would be required. It hints at the possibility of a future episode or course focusing on storytelling in a business English setting.

Highlights

The importance of storytelling in social settings and its evolution from ancient times.

Use of 'I was like' as a quotative verb to introduce a direct quote or internal dialogue in storytelling.

The difference between using 'I told' for recounting exact words and 'I was like' for general statements or thoughts.

Regional variations in the use of 'I was like' and how it can be influenced by personal background.

The use of 'I was all' to portray feelings and reactions, and its informality in conversation.

Avoiding the use of 'I was like' and 'I was all' in formal settings such as job interviews and business meetings.

The significance of 'can confirm' as a trendy and natural phrase used by native speakers to validate statements.

The role of body language and non-verbal cues in storytelling, even when exact words are not recalled.

The art of keeping a story engaging by not sharing word-for-word dialogue, but rather the essence of what was said.

How to use storytelling to create deeper connections and share interesting experiences with others.

The potential for a course on storytelling to enhance communication skills and build stronger interpersonal relationships.

The use of 'I told' to share the meaning of what was said without quoting word-for-word in a conversation.

The importance of setting the context before using phrases like 'I was like' to avoid confusion.

The natural flow of conversation and how it can be disrupted by trying to quote oneself exactly.

The idea that storytelling is a fundamental human trait that dates back to our evolutionary past.

The use of 'like' as a quotative verb to share general thoughts or reactions rather than specific words.

The potential for a follow-up episode to explore the nuances of using 'I was like' and 'I was all' in storytelling.

The advice to practice using these storytelling phrases to improve fluency and create more engaging narratives.

Transcripts

play00:00

hey Aubrey I have a question for you today allĀ  right let's go so are you good at telling storiesĀ Ā 

play00:05

are you a good Storyteller I think I am I feelĀ  like this is one of my biggest skills in a socialĀ Ā 

play00:11

setting right if something funny or interestingĀ  happens I love to like tell a story but make itĀ Ā 

play00:17

really funny or interesting engaging build upĀ  some suspense exaggerate a little bit I love toĀ Ā 

play00:24

tell a story what about you L interesting yeah IĀ  think I I am not the best at it it's not my zoneĀ Ā 

play00:30

of Genius um but yeah I I told a story with myĀ  meditation group on Tuesday and I think I did aĀ Ā 

play00:37

pretty good job actually all right well done andĀ  so yeah so but there are things we can learn andĀ Ā 

play00:42

there are patterns that native speakers use whenĀ  they tell stories right AB yes absolutely rightĀ Ā 

play00:47

we got a really good question about this thatĀ  we're going to share with some of the phrasesĀ Ā 

play00:52

we use when we're telling a story when we want toĀ  quote someone when we want to share what someoneĀ Ā 

play00:58

said or did this really can make your stories soĀ  much more interesting engaging so I'm excited toĀ Ā 

play01:04

share this relevant and it pulls them in right soĀ  we have a question from razier Aur right shall IĀ Ā 

play01:12

read the question yeah okay so R says I wouldĀ  like to know more about using I told and I wasĀ Ā 

play01:19

like when I'm telling a story when should I useĀ  I told and when should I use I was like thankĀ Ā 

play01:25

you for your great podcast great question loveĀ  really good question and I love that reier isĀ Ā 

play01:32

listening to Other Stories hearing both of theseĀ  used and trying to get you know their mind aroundĀ Ā 

play01:38

how do I do this in order to grab interest holdĀ  engagement because that what makes a story goodĀ Ā 

play01:43

you do not want to be the person in a group that'sĀ  sort of you know telling a story and it's kind ofĀ Ā 

play01:47

boring you see people's eyes glaze over you wantĀ  to keep it interesting well storytelling is soĀ Ā 

play01:54

human it goes back to the days of evolutionaryĀ  times when we're sitting around in caves aroundĀ Ā 

play01:59

fires and so what you notice when you get readyĀ  to tell a story is that people want to hear aĀ Ā 

play02:05

good story they want it absolutely you know IĀ  that's what I noticed on Tuesday night when IĀ Ā 

play02:09

started telling my story their eyes perked up andĀ  they were looking for something to grab on to youĀ Ā 

play02:15

know what I mean absolutely like I'm excitedĀ  I want to hear something interesting happenedĀ Ā 

play02:19

that you want to share like yes I agree soĀ  this is interesting rer asked about I toldĀ Ā 

play02:24

and I was like and first of all like is used inĀ  this way as a quota verb right this we're goingĀ Ā 

play02:31

to share a little more about this but we want toĀ  make sure you didn't miss a recent guest episodeĀ Ā 

play02:36

with Valerie Friedland she was highlighting theĀ  usefulness of this word like and what episode wasĀ Ā 

play02:43

that Lindsay it was such a good one it was 1976Ā  a great relevant episode super interesting whenĀ Ā 

play02:49

we interview linguists and they give us Insight onĀ  the words we use every day right exactly right soĀ Ā 

play02:56

go back and find that one three benefits of likeĀ  with linguist Valerie fredland and we're going toĀ Ā 

play03:01

first dive into I was like this quotative verbĀ  we use it to introduce a direct quote or maybeĀ Ā 

play03:09

internal dialogue right do you use this whenĀ  you're telling a story yes I definitely do uhĀ Ā 

play03:16

I can't resist it and it's so it's not really aĀ  filler word it's so like in this case is not beingĀ Ā 

play03:21

used as a filler word you say it's a quotativeĀ  verb right exactly it's a quotative verb it's aĀ Ā 

play03:26

really good method when telling a story whenĀ  you can't remember verbatim exactly what youĀ Ā 

play03:32

said or did and it doesn't matter it almost wouldĀ  be strange to make it more formal and say I saidĀ Ā 

play03:39

and then try to quote yourself exactly it disruptsĀ  the story it interrupts the flow so instead we sayĀ Ā 

play03:45

I was like and then we shared sort of generallyĀ  what we said or did or what we thought usuallyĀ Ā 

play03:52

for me it's either said or did or thought IĀ  often use that I was like what's happening andĀ Ā 

play03:57

that was clearly just what I was thinking rightĀ  you did say that that's a key point right thereĀ Ā 

play04:01

I love that good point exactly it's it's can beĀ  like saying I said but removing the implicationĀ Ā 

play04:07

that we're sharing exactly what was said but justĀ  like you said Lindsay it might be more like thisĀ Ā 

play04:11

is what I thought you know this was just kind ofĀ  my mindset just to add interest of like you'reĀ Ā 

play04:16

giving your audience all the details everythingĀ  you were thinking they're inside your brain forĀ Ā 

play04:21

this story yeah do we have any examples for ourĀ  listeners here of how that might look more whereĀ Ā 

play04:26

you're quoting you might say I was like let's getĀ  there early and save a table so you're quotingĀ Ā 

play04:31

yourself in the past but when you say I was likeĀ  there's no guarantee this is exactly what youĀ Ā 

play04:36

said right you're just sharing sort of generallyĀ  what you said sure sure or you could also use itĀ Ā 

play04:42

to let me just give a quick example of what itĀ  might mean when you're just kind of quoting yourĀ Ā 

play04:48

thoughts right we were having a conversation heĀ  was telling me about what happened and I was likeĀ Ā 

play04:53

what is going on with this guy right of courseĀ  I didn't say that to the person it's what I wasĀ Ā 

play04:59

thinking all right right and we share this thisĀ  probably is the number one way we use I was likeĀ Ā 

play05:05

I'm glad you're bringing this up Lindsay becauseĀ  when I'm telling a story I do want to share myĀ Ā 

play05:10

thoughts and I can't say I said this or and IĀ  wouldn't say I thought blah blah blah insteadĀ Ā 

play05:16

we use this much more native um structure to sayĀ  I was like what is happening why am I here you'reĀ Ā 

play05:24

just exaggerating your surprise or your shock yourĀ  thoughts yeah and there are also Reg variations ofĀ Ā 

play05:31

this which we won't go into today but regionallyĀ  speaking um there are different things that peopleĀ Ā 

play05:36

say especially in older Generations maybe that'llĀ  be for another episode another day but there areĀ Ā 

play05:41

there are some things I've heard in the BostonĀ  area that are kind of creative and interestingĀ Ā 

play05:46

all right guys be sure to hit follow we'll coverĀ  those in an upcoming episode I want to know allĀ Ā 

play05:50

about all of those as well for sure so what aboutĀ  when we're recounting then what someone has saidĀ Ā 

play05:57

yes right and this we're less likely to talk cuzĀ  we we don't know what they were thinking but weĀ Ā 

play06:01

want to recount what someone said without beingĀ  able to say exactly word for word what they saidĀ Ā 

play06:07

you might say she was like don't tell me thatĀ  I don't want to hear any bad news so maybe notĀ Ā 

play06:12

exactly word for word you're not um promising thatĀ  when you just say she was like she said somethingĀ Ā 

play06:19

like this it's like you're taking permission toĀ  go and kind of maybe rephrase what they've saidĀ Ā 

play06:26

put your energy into it and sort of portrayĀ  what they've said in a way that you believeĀ Ā 

play06:32

is authentic if that makes sense right exactlyĀ  and we'll also use this just to share someone'sĀ Ā 

play06:36

reaction you might say she was like what that'sĀ  crazy and that might not be what she said at allĀ Ā 

play06:43

but maybe her face showed shock and you couldĀ  still portray it this way in a story yeah sheĀ Ā 

play06:48

could have said nothing but you just you read theĀ  body language yeah so this is really interestingĀ Ā 

play06:54

I'm surprised we haven't done an episode on thisĀ  yet but I'm so glad we're doing it today um allĀ Ā 

play06:59

right so we're going to take a quick break andĀ  come back and talk about two others right AubreyĀ Ā 

play07:03

yes let's do it okay here we go we are back nowĀ  what would be the second thing we can use hereĀ Ā 

play07:10

yeah so the second one is I told which razierĀ  asked about as well like what's the differenceĀ Ā 

play07:16

when would I use I told and when would you I useĀ  I was like so this one's pretty different the verbĀ Ā 

play07:21

tell is for sharing what you actually said ratherĀ  than sort of a general you know statement aboutĀ Ā 

play07:28

what you were think thinking or generally what youĀ  said it's going to be a little more specific toĀ Ā 

play07:34

the actual to what was actually said oh for sureĀ  for sure so for example I told her she shouldn'tĀ Ā 

play07:39

be late but she didn't listen to me so literallyĀ  that is what you said we're not we're not quotingĀ Ā 

play07:45

so there's not like something word for wordĀ  you're actually giving the meaning of what youĀ Ā 

play07:49

told someone yeah and what's the second exampleĀ  maybe he told his father he'd be home by midnightĀ Ā 

play07:56

right so in a conversation in a story often itĀ  doesn't make sense to quote it um especially ifĀ Ā 

play08:01

it doesn't matter right it would be strange toĀ  be like he said to his father I'll be home atĀ Ā 

play08:06

midnight it doesn't make sense it's sort of choppyĀ  and strange so often instead we'll use told andĀ Ā 

play08:13

just share generally what was said like thisĀ  right and the prior example Au said he said toĀ Ā 

play08:19

his father he'd be you might see that in a novelĀ  right you see a lot of he said she said in novelsĀ Ā 

play08:25

and books and that's great for that but when youĀ  are paraphrasing or talking in conversation it'sĀ Ā 

play08:31

much less common we just yeah we don't have timeĀ  that's so smart to point out that books dialogueĀ Ā 

play08:36

in books works very differently than when you'reĀ  telling a story when you're telling a conversationĀ Ā 

play08:40

it would feel strange if you're reporting dialogueĀ  like what like it is when you read a book insteadĀ Ā 

play08:46

we're trying to add interest to keep engagement soĀ  we don't usually share word for word what happenedĀ Ā 

play08:51

instead we use I was like I told to to keep theĀ  interest and I was all that's the next one and IĀ Ā 

play08:57

think you're right Aubrey it's about keeping theĀ  interest by reporting not so much I told but IĀ Ā 

play09:02

was like and I was all is about feel portrayingĀ  feelings portraying your reactions to a thingĀ Ā 

play09:10

right it might be what you said sort of generallyĀ  but often it's actually your thought process yourĀ Ā 

play09:15

feelings your reactions you might say I was allĀ  how did you misunderstand the instructions andĀ Ā 

play09:21

this might be you didn't actually even say thatĀ  you just thought that in your head right someoneĀ Ā 

play09:26

didn't understand and I was all like I thoughtĀ  this and this one is also a personality choice I IĀ Ā 

play09:33

I personally don't use this that much I obviouslyĀ  have um it doesn't really fall in my personalityĀ Ā 

play09:39

to use it as much do you feel like you use thisĀ  much you know who uses this a lot Jessica andĀ Ā 

play09:46

I talked about this on the El energy podcast weĀ  were talking about sharing a story on your partĀ Ā 

play09:51

two um answer and she shared that she's much moreĀ  likely to say I was all instead of I was like IĀ Ā 

play09:59

would probably say I was like every now and thenĀ  maybe I was all so it might be based on where sheĀ Ā 

play10:04

grew up or just the way her family spoke like youĀ  said it might your personality it's a little moreĀ Ā 

play10:09

informal I think to say I was all I think it's aĀ  little more informal it's a little more emphaticĀ Ā 

play10:15

um more exaggerated a little bit um yeah so ifĀ  this is not in your personality no worries ifĀ Ā 

play10:21

it is go for it guys okay but we're showing youĀ  all your options here which is super interestingĀ Ā 

play10:27

exactly let me give another example when whenĀ  you're talking about someone else the way theyĀ Ā 

play10:31

reacted or thought or generally what they saidĀ  you could say like he was all what are you doingĀ Ā 

play10:36

here and again because it's all or like he mayĀ  have actually said that or he may have just hadĀ Ā 

play10:42

a look on his face that made you think he wasĀ  thinking what are you doing here right and ifĀ Ā 

play10:47

you prefer he was like he was like what are youĀ  doing here right that would work too perfect yesĀ Ā 

play10:52

and as a bonus you will also hear native EnglishĀ  speakers say he was all like they'll say both IĀ Ā 

play10:58

hear this sometimes he was all like what are youĀ  doing here I guess I hear that combine both youĀ Ā 

play11:05

don't need to choose that's another option thisĀ  these two I was like I was all very casual guysĀ Ā 

play11:10

okay absolutely don't use it in a job interviewĀ  don't use it in a business meeting I think weĀ Ā 

play11:15

can be pretty definitive about that what do youĀ  think Aubrey do you I agree right if you want toĀ Ā 

play11:20

be speaking more formally in a job interview youĀ  might need to tell a story something that happenedĀ Ā 

play11:25

at a previous job you would in that case want toĀ  keep it more formally I said to my employer andĀ Ā 

play11:30

then say sort of generally what you said insteadĀ  of I was all right or I can do it yeah yeah yeahĀ Ā 

play11:36

yeah yes completely keep these out of the businessĀ  space but there are other things maybe we willĀ Ā 

play11:41

do one day a followup over on business EnglishĀ  you guys should go ahead and hit follow searchĀ Ā 

play11:45

for business English hitf follow but I might tendĀ  towards something like and I thought and I was andĀ Ā 

play11:53

it occurred to me there's a lot of other thingsĀ  we could pull out to be more articulate okayĀ Ā 

play11:58

exactly good point to today is much more aboutĀ  casual informal storytelling when you're wantingĀ Ā 

play12:03

to grab your attention with friends you know evenĀ  co-workers because there are a lot of times whereĀ Ā 

play12:08

you you'll tell an interesting story at happy hourĀ  in the breakroom those more informal conversationsĀ Ā 

play12:14

that's when you might use it at work but not inĀ  an interview presentation meeting when you'reĀ Ā 

play12:18

trying to be more formal then you would there areĀ  definitely other options for sure yes we need toĀ Ā 

play12:24

know and I think that's what our listeners want toĀ  know for connection is the formality informalityĀ Ā 

play12:28

being semi-formal where does that fall in rightĀ  but for now Aubrey shall we do a role play what doĀ Ā 

play12:34

you think yeah let's do it you and I are tellingĀ  another friend a story about our weekend in thisĀ Ā 

play12:40

role play okay here we go all right so I told MarkĀ  to meet us there at 5 but I don't think he heardĀ Ā 

play12:46

me can confirm I heard you tell him yes I wasĀ  like Mark meet us there at 5 he must have beenĀ Ā 

play12:53

paying attention to something else when he arrivedĀ  at 700 I was all why are you so late yes and theĀ Ā 

play12:58

ser told him the kitchen was closed geez Mark getĀ  with itk get with the program so we used them allĀ Ā 

play13:08

here first right at the top you said I told MarkĀ  to meet us there at five and you do want to thinkĀ Ā 

play13:13

about depending on exactly what's being saidĀ  one will make sense more than another it mightĀ Ā 

play13:18

be a little strange to be like you know I was allĀ  Mark meet us there at five when you haven't givenĀ Ā 

play13:24

the context yet we don't have the background soĀ  it makes more sense to sort of set up the storyĀ Ā 

play13:29

started by saying you know I told Mark to meet usĀ  there at five yeah exactly and I might add to theĀ Ā 

play13:35

second line where I said yeah I was like MarkĀ  meet us there at 5 if in a real conversation IĀ Ā 

play13:42

might actually add more detail or different detailĀ  because me us there at five on the dot in front ofĀ Ā 

play13:49

the door to the to the restaurant right so andĀ  wait there for five minutes I just I just feelĀ Ā 

play13:56

like I would add a little something different doesĀ  that make sense yeah for sure that makes sense cuzĀ Ā 

play14:00

you've already said I told this is almost like youĀ  were trying to be funny right I told him yeah canĀ Ā 

play14:05

I heard you yeah I was like Mark meet us there atĀ  five right so okay there's something here would beĀ Ā 

play14:10

more like if you're trying to be funny if that'sĀ  all you say yeah yeah yeah so right okay so I seeĀ Ā 

play14:15

what you mean so you're kind of making a littleĀ  bit of a joke here so we're going one level aboveĀ Ā 

play14:19

for our listeners here in terms of fluency ifĀ  you're trying to be straight forward frame itĀ Ā 

play14:24

a little differently give a little more detail sayĀ  something different right but if you're trying toĀ Ā 

play14:28

make a joke and say Mark what's wrong with himĀ  right yeah then this would work perfectly yesĀ Ā 

play14:33

yes I like it and little bonus to point out whenĀ  I just said can confirm this is very native andĀ Ā 

play14:38

natural it's sort of trendy right now when whatĀ  you're saying is yeah I can confirm that thatĀ Ā 

play14:43

is true we won't use all of those words we justĀ  shorten it and we say can confirm interesting IĀ Ā 

play14:48

feel like I learned about all the language TrendsĀ  from you Aubrey I didn't know it's cuz I haveĀ Ā 

play14:53

teenagers yeah you have teenagers right I'm on TikĀ  Tok here heing all the trendy new chunks oh that'sĀ Ā 

play15:01

so funny all right and then you said he must haveĀ  been playing paying attention to something elseĀ Ā 

play15:05

when he arrived at 7 I was all why are you so lateĀ  yes and this because I said I was all this doesn'tĀ Ā 

play15:13

have to be something I even said to him we mightĀ  have just both kind of looked at him like why areĀ Ā 

play15:17

you late maybe I looked at my watch I might notĀ  have actually said anything I just thought GHĀ Ā 

play15:22

Mark why are you yeah yeah and that's really highĀ  level for our listeners guys listen very closelyĀ Ā 

play15:28

because again what Aubrey said is she may not haveĀ  actually said that she may have just been thinkingĀ Ā 

play15:33

it so this episode is Supernatural and NativeĀ  and as a bonus if someone's telling you a storyĀ Ā 

play15:40

a native English speaker and they say either I wasĀ  all or I was like and you want to know if that'sĀ Ā 

play15:45

actually what they said or if they were thinkingĀ  sometimes you'll hear or you could say did youĀ Ā 

play15:49

actually say that and that's an interesting partĀ  of a conversation and then they might say likeĀ Ā 

play15:54

yes I said that to him or they might say noĀ  but I thought it interesting interesting ideaĀ Ā 

play16:00

for another episode a a little followup here toĀ  today's episode Another Day on allers English weĀ Ā 

play16:05

could do that we could take this to the next stepĀ  guys hit follow on the show to make sure you don'tĀ Ā 

play16:10

miss an episode like that right yes and then yourĀ  last one you said and the servers told him theĀ Ā 

play16:15

kitchen was closed and this it definitely makesĀ  more sense to use told here it would be strangeĀ Ā 

play16:21

to quote the servers right the servers were likeĀ  hey the kitchen is closed you could but becauseĀ Ā 

play16:26

this is more sort of just giving context it makesĀ  sense to say it this way and also I think when weĀ Ā 

play16:32

use the servers we're like you need something moreĀ  interesting you know what I mean right it wouldĀ Ā 

play16:38

only make sense if they had yelled at him or rightĀ  if there was something some reason that you wereĀ Ā 

play16:43

quoting them the servers were like don't you knowĀ  the kitchen's closed um you need because you'reĀ Ā 

play16:49

trying to bring people kind of into the present aĀ  little bit or into the story more than just sayingĀ Ā 

play16:54

they told and so it has to be something a littleĀ  more interesting than just the the nothing reallyĀ Ā 

play17:00

happened right if they were just like oh sorryĀ  kitchen's closed that's not very interesting rightĀ Ā 

play17:05

exactly not worth quoting wow this is The Art ofĀ  Storytelling right here Aubrey what are what areĀ Ā 

play17:11

the takeaways for today yes Guys these phrasesĀ  these chunks really do add interest to any storyĀ Ā 

play17:17

keep in mind they're very informal right and youĀ  you don't want to repeat I said this he said thisĀ Ā 

play17:23

she said that it's boring it doesn't pull peopleĀ  into the story so use today's phrases instead yesĀ Ā 

play17:29

and remember today's phrases other than told areĀ  not great for business so just be careful we mayĀ Ā 

play17:35

do another episode over on business English andĀ  show you exactly how to do this but with elevatedĀ Ā 

play17:40

business words okay semi-formal formal words soĀ  we'll come back to that another day I love thatĀ Ā 

play17:45

idea definitely hit follow on business English asĀ  well so you don't miss that episode yeah it's allĀ Ā 

play17:49

about pulling people into your story sometimesĀ  it's about pulling people into the drama but IĀ Ā 

play17:55

think as a final takeaway keep in mind what weĀ  said at the top people want to hear stories it'sĀ Ā 

play18:00

literally embedded in our brains as human beingsĀ  we want to hear a good story so step into thatĀ Ā 

play18:05

place and if something has happened to you tellĀ  the story all right yes absolutely right that'sĀ Ā 

play18:11

my favorite when someone's like oh I have a storyĀ  for you I get so excited so yes practice usingĀ Ā 

play18:17

these practice telling those stories so youĀ  can have these really fun connections tellingĀ Ā 

play18:21

a story is such a great way to get deeper withĀ  someone maybe we maybe someday we could buildĀ Ā 

play18:25

an entire course about storytelling thatĀ  could actually be kind of cool auy yes IĀ Ā 

play18:30

love that idea yeah all right good stuff allĀ  right we'll hop off the mic for today but I'llĀ Ā 

play18:34

see you back on allers English very soon allĀ  right awesome see you next time bye [Music] bye

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Related Tags
StorytellingCommunicationEnglish LanguageCasual SpeechQuotative VerbsConversational EnglishInformal DialogueSocial SkillsLanguage TrendsEngagement