Introduction

Storytelling is a vital aspect of communication, as it allows individuals to share experiences and connect with others. To ensure effective storytelling, it’s essential to provide listeners with enough information to understand the story. The Background Brief is a helpful tool that students can use to remember the critical details they need to include when telling a story. The Background Brief is based on four essential components: When, Who, What, and Where. By incorporating these elements into their stories, students can improve their communication skills and foster better understanding in social situations.

No-Prep Activity: The Story Shuffle

This no-prep activity is designed to help students practice using the Background Brief in a fun and engaging way. The Story Shuffle requires no additional materials or preparation from the educator, making it an excellent choice for impromptu practice.

1. Ask students to form a circle, either sitting or standing.
2. Explain that you will begin by telling a short story, but you will intentionally leave out some essential details.
3. Tell your story, making sure to omit information related to the When, Who, What, and Where components of the Background Brief.
4. After you’ve finished, invite a student to retell your story, but this time including the missing details using the Background Brief as a guide.
5. Continue around the circle, with each student retelling the story while adding their own unique details.
6. Encourage students to listen carefully to each other’s stories and pay attention to the added details.
7. After everyone has had a turn, hold a brief discussion about the importance of including essential details in storytelling and how the Background Brief can help.

Discussion Questions

After completing the Story Shuffle activity, use these discussion questions to stimulate further exploration of the Background Brief and its importance in storytelling:

1. How did including the Background Brief details affect your understanding of the story? Were you able to follow the story more easily?
2. Why is it important to provide enough information in our stories? How does this impact our relationships and communication with others?
3. Can you think of a time when someone told you a story without enough details, and you felt confused? How did that make you feel?
4. What strategies can you use to remember to include the Background Brief elements in your stories?
5. How can practicing the Background Brief help improve your overall communication skills?

Related Skills

Teaching the Background Brief is an excellent way to help students improve their communication and social skills. Here are some other related skills that can further enhance students’ abilities in these areas:

• Active Listening: Encourage students to practice listening attentively and asking clarifying questions when they need more information.
• Empathy: Teach students to put themselves in their listener’s shoes and consider what information they might need in order to understand a story.
• Nonverbal Communication: Help students recognize the importance of body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions in conveying their stories effectively.
• Story Structure: Introduce students to the elements of a well-structured story, such as having a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• Self-Awareness: Guide students in recognizing their own storytelling strengths and areas for improvement, and encourage them to practice on their own or with peers.

Next Steps

Now that you’ve learned about the Background Brief and its importance in storytelling, it’s time to put these skills into practice with your students. To access free sample materials related to the Background Brief and other essential social-emotional learning skills, visit Everyday Speech’s sample materials page. Here, you’ll find a variety of resources designed to help educators support students in developing effective communication and social skills.