Remember this class is a Two-part Class – You have Ancient Civilization (it’s at the end of this blog post called Egypt Ancient Civilization) and Story telling(which is first because it’s better)
Tell Your Story: Finding, Shaping, and Sharing the Stories Only You Can Tell
This year we are telling stories. Ancient civilization stories and also personal stories- Remember when I told you how I met Weird Al at Disneyland? Remember when some of you said, “WHO?” Well that is just crazy. In fact that is a new story I tell. It’s a sad story about how your parents are failures and should feel ashamed to show their faces in public. How could you not know who Weird Al Yancovic is?! Your family names will be mocked for generations to come. You lose. You get nothing. There is no consolation prize. There are zero refreshments for you. I am being told that some of you don’t know me and may struggle to pick up on my sarcasm. Rest assured that it is ok. I am only kidding. It’s okay if you don’t know who Weird Al Yankovic is. He is just one of my celebrity super heroes, and I met him. I shook his hand. His firm grip instilled in me a new lease on life. That handshake made me the man that I am today. And you would be lucky to meet such a man in your lifetime. Opportunities like this are rare. They basically never happen, but this one did happen. And it fell right in my lap. Truly a dream come true. But that doesn’t excuse you from not knowing who he is, and you really should do better. Be better. Whoops, there I go again. Anyway. I met a cool guy once and you should know him. Where was I? Oh yeah- STORY TELLING! Some of these stories will be longer than others. Some will be fun. Some maybe not. But this week we’re going to start talking and thinking about stories.
Everyone has stories worth telling. The trick is learning to notice them, shape them, and share them in ways that connect with others. Whether you’re writing, interviewing, or introducing yourself in thirty seconds, storytelling is how people remember you—and how you remember yourself.
What Is a Story?
At its heart, a story is simply something that happened that matters.
It’s an event or experience where something changed—where you changed. Maybe it’s a big event like moving across the country, or a small one like fixing a broken chair with your grandpa. Or maybe you met the most famous person in the world and shook his hand. The size doesn’t matter; the meaning does.
A story has three parts:
- A beginning — something familiar, something normal.
- A middle — a problem, surprise, or emotion that shakes things up.
- An ending — what changed because of it.
A story doesn’t have to be dramatic or perfect—it just needs to be true and alive. It should make your listener feel something or see the world differently, even if just for a moment.
Start by Seeking Out Your Own Stories
So what kind of stories should you tell? Most of us don’t realize how much story material we’re already living. Start paying attention to moments that stick with you—times you felt joy, frustration, fear, or pride. When something makes you laugh, cry, or think, write it down.
Keep a “story bank”: short notes, voice memos, photos, journal entries. Over time, you’ll start to see patterns—themes that define who you are and what you care about.
What Makes a Good Story?
A good story isn’t just about what happened—it’s about why it mattered. Look for:
- Change: What shifted? What did you learn or realize?
- Emotion: How did it make you or others feel?
- Specifics: Vivid details make your story come alive.
- Meaning: What truth, lesson, or humor can others relate to?
What Stories Should You Share?
Share moments that reveal something true about you—your values, growth, or perspective. Vulnerability builds connection, but keep boundaries: not everything private needs to be public. For example, some stories are like a used handkercheif. You know what’s in there, but nobody else needs to see it. Ask yourself: Would this story help someone understand me, inspire them, or make them smile? If yes, it’s worth telling. If no, maybe hold off on that one.
How to Know If You Have a Story to Tell
People often say, “Nothing interesting ever happens to me.” But the truth is, you live stories every day—you just have to notice them.
Ask yourself:
- Did something unexpected happen?
- Did I feel something strongly—fear, joy, embarrassment, pride?
- Did I learn something new about myself or someone else?
- Did I make a choice that changed the outcome?
If you can answer “yes” to even one of those questions, you have a story.
To explore more deeply:
- Look at contrasts. What moments show a “before and after”?
- Pay attention to firsts and lasts. The first time you drove alone. The last time you saw a friend.
- Follow curiosity. If something keeps replaying in your mind, ask why. There’s usually meaning there.
And remember: sometimes a “bad day” becomes a great story. What feels like frustration in the moment often becomes connection later, when you tell it well.
Keep It Relevant (and Brief!)
A good storyteller respects time. Avoid rambling. If a story has three beginnings, start later. If it has five endings, stop sooner.
Imagine your listener asking, “So what?” If your story answers that clearly and quickly, you’re on the right track.
How to Tell Your Story Out Loud
When you tell your story in person, your delivery matters as much as your words.
- Don’t read it. Know your story well enough to tell it naturally. Notes are fine, but don’t bury your face in paper.
- Look at people. Make eye contact. Don’t stare up and to the left, and don’t close your eyes to “remember.” Your audience connects through your eyes. Let them in. Don’t be afraid of eye contact. You watching their reaction is as important as them watching you.
- Show emotion. Smile when you say something happy. Let your voice soften or pause when something matters. Be excited, be serious, be funny—be human. Don’t be afraid to be real.
- Use your body. Small gestures can emphasize emotion, but keep them natural.
The goal isn’t performance—it’s connection. When you look people in the eye and tell your story like you mean it, they’ll feel it.
What’s Your Story?
You ever meet someone new and they ask you, “So, what’s your story?” Here’s a good exercise for you to work on. In business networking they call it your elevator pitch. The idea is this: Imagine you’re on an elevator. It stops on a floor and the doors open. The boss of the company you want to work for steps on the elevator. You now have his undivided attention for the next 30 seconds while the elevator goes down to the lobby. This is your chance to make a great first impression. Tell him exactly who you are and why he should hire you. Use this concept anytime you meet someone new. Sometimes, all you have is half a minute to make that impression—an interview, a class intro, a new friend.
Here’s a basic formula:
“I’m [name], a [role or passion] who loves [what you love doing] because [why it matters to you]. One thing people should know about me is [something memorable].”
Example:
“I’m Taylor, a storyteller who loves helping people find meaning in everyday moments. I’m happiest with a notebook and a good story to chase.”
Obviously these examples would only take about 10 seconds to share at a relatively natural pace. So we’re going to dig a little deeper. We want to actually come up with 30 seconds. A “short story” introduction all about you. Why should we be interested in you? You’ve got one shot, what is the most important thing you want me to know about you.
Here are some questions to consider while preparing your Me in 30 Seconds:
Personal Background
- Where are you from, and is there anything unique or meaningful about that place to you?
- What’s something people often remember about you after meeting you?
Passions & Interests
- What are a few things you’re passionate about (professionally or personally)?
- What’s a project, hobby, or experience that lights you up when you talk about it?
Skills & Strengths
- What would your friends or coworkers say you’re really good at?
- What kind of problems do you love solving or feel naturally drawn to?
Values & Goals
- What motivates you right now? (e.g., learning something new, making an impact, creating beauty, helping others)
- Are there any goals or dreams you’re currently working toward—or quietly hoping for?
Personality
- How would you describe your vibe in a few words? (Or how do others describe it?)
- What’s a fun or quirky fact about you?
Be Ready with Your Answer
So what’s the point? When someone asks, “Who are you?” or “What’s your story?”—don’t freeze. Be prepared with a story that says why you matter.
What do you bring to the table? What experiences shaped you? Why should someone care? Because when you know your story, others can believe in it too.
Watch this video- It’s about business networking but the principles are true for what we are doing. Pay attention to her first “takes” and what doesn’t work for her. Also learn from her basic steps for your pitch. You are not asking us for a job. But you do want us to be your friend and have a desire to learn more about you.
How Not to Start a Story
First impressions matter—especially in storytelling. How you begin sets the tone for whether people lean in or tune out.
Don’t start with excuses like:
- “I didn’t really have time to prepare…”
- “I don’t really know what to say…”
- “I mean…” or “I don’t know…”
Unless someone actually asked, “What do you mean?” or “Do you know?”, those words don’t belong at the beginning of your story. They make you sound unsure and tell your audience you’re not confident—or worse, not ready.
If you begin that way, your listener immediately thinks, “Then why should I listen to you?”
Instead, start strong. Know your first line. Jump right into the moment. Show your audience you value their time and attention.
If you’re not interested in their reaction, why should they be interested in what you’re saying?
How Do You Know If It’s a Good Story?
Tell it out loud. Watch people’s faces. Do they lean in or check out?
Good stories make people nod, laugh, or see something differently. If your listener wants to ask a question or share their own experience, you’ve struck gold.
Here’s a good example.
The Six-Word Story
If 30 seconds is too long, try six words. This six-word story is often attributed to Ernest Hemingway, supposedly written as part of a bet. The story goes that Hemingway was at lunch with other writers (sometimes said to be at the Algonquin Round Table, sometimes elsewhere), and he wagered that he could write a complete story in just six words. He supposedly scribbled this sentence on a napkin, passed it around, and collected the bet money.
Think about that story for a while. How much is in that story? What conclusions can you make based on the given information? How is the author able to say so much with so few words? It’s a powerful example of economy of language — six words that suggest a complete emotional arc: hope, loss, grief, and silence.
There’s no verified evidence that Hemingway actually wrote it. The anecdote first appeared in print decades after his death, around the 1990sSo while Hemingway almost certainly did not invent it, the story stuck because it fit his minimalist writing style — concise, emotionally charged, and full of implication.
Why It Endures
It’s taught everywhere because it’s:
- A perfect illustration of show, don’t tell
- Proof that brevity can be powerful
- A reminder that stories are as much about what’s left unsaid as what’s written
Today, you’re going to try it too — but about yourself. Think of it as your life in six words.”
First you’ll need to think:
- What’s something interesting(funny, clever, impressive) about me?
- What’s something people wouldn’t expect?
- What moment sums me up?
Examples:
- “Homeschooled kid. Too many sibling bosses.”
- “Told one joke. Still laughing today.”
- “Running late, but chasing big dreams.”
- “Forgot umbrella. Found love in rain.”
- “Moved often. Finally grew roots here.”
Still not sure where to start, See if these prompts help:
“Your summer in six words.”
“Why you’re here in six words.”
“Describe your family in six words.”
“The best/worst day in six words.”
“My life as a movie trailer.”
“If my family had a motto…”
“The moment I felt grown up.”
“My dream job, explained in six.”
“Worst snack choice I ever made.”
“What my pet thinks of me.”
“Sibling drama in six words.”
“Strangest thing I’ve ever eaten.”
“If I had superpowers”
“My future in six bold words.”
Explore More Stories
Don’t just tell stories—listen. Ask people about their lives. “When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?” or “What’s something you learned the hard way?”
Interviewing others not only teaches you storytelling—it teaches that every person carries a story worth telling.
Things to Consider:
- “Have you ever told a story and immediately wished you hadn’t?”
- “What makes a story powerful in a good way vs. a harmful way?”
- “How do you know when a story is yours to share?”
- “Why do you think Jesus used parables—and what if He had shared someone’s real sin instead?”
Assignments for This Week
1. Your Favorite Story and Storyteller
Think about your favorite stories and storytellers. Where do we find stories? Movies, books, scriptures, talks, parents, teachers, friends, family history—stories are everywhere.
This week, spend time remembering your favorite stories and the people who tell them.
- Which story could you hear or tell over and over again?
- What makes it your favorite?
- How is it told—through humor, suspense, vulnerability, emotion?
- What qualities could you borrow or learn from that storyteller for your own storytelling?
Write down your thoughts. Bring an example or be ready to talk about what makes that story powerful to you.
2. Write a “Me in 30 Seconds”
Write and practice your “Me in 30 Seconds” before class.
Come ready to share your story with the group! This is your introduction—your story at its essence.
What do you want people to know about you? What can they connect with?
Don’t share something you don’t want to be known for. If you’re not a big sports fan, don’t pretend you are. Be authentic, specific, and memorable.
What we’re not looking for:
“My name is ___. I go to ___ School. I have ___ siblings. I like ___. My favorite ice cream is ___.”
Skip that. Tell us a story. Pique our interest. Why is what you’re sharing important to you? Why should we care?
Guidelines:
- Keep it brief—around 30 seconds.
- That’s about 50–75 words (roughly 2 words per second).
- Don’t cram too much in—choose what matters most.
- Practice with an audience. Time yourself.
- Ask for feedback on both your words and your delivery.
When you are ready, consider writing 3 – The normal version, The funny version, The meaningful version – and then you can choose which one fits your audience or setting. That’s real-life communication power. (Not necessary for this class on thursday)
- Be ready if someone wants to know more. If your intro sparks curiosity, have the longer version of your story ready to tell. And that is the whole point of this exercise- to get someone to want to know more about you.
3. Write a Six-Word Story
Tell a story about you in just six words.
You’ll need to rely on what you don’t say as much as what you do. What do your six words communicate?
Write a few versions and pick your favorite to share in class.
Examples:
- “Always late. Still worth the wait.”
- “Tripped once. Got up. Kept running.”
- “New town. Same me. Braver now.”
This exercise teaches brevity, clarity, and emotion—the building blocks of every great story.
4. Start Collecting Story Seeds
Start reviewing your experiences, your trials, and funny moments, your family history stories, and famous encounters. Start to collect your favorites to use in future stories you can share.
As with all learning- you should have fun. Learning is fun.
A word of warning: This will be a lot better if you start as soon as possible. If it’s Wednesday night right now- I’ll be honest- it’s going to be rough. I look forward to hearing everyone’s story on Thursday.
Egypt Ancient Civilization
Pick a “UNIVERSAL” about Egyptian culture. A universal is a basic component of every culture/civilization. Sign up for it here. Research your universal. Create a slide show or digital presentation to showcase what you learned. This can be a few slides or a short digital presentation. Upload to this Google doc.
You need to watch 10 presentations. Please get yours done early so your class members can get them watched. These can be short, simple and to the point. Remember, if you don’t want to be bored during presentations, then DON’T BORE OTHERS!
Please take the time to make them visually pleasing and engaging. If you like somebody’s presentation then take the time to tell them. If you didn’t like someone’s presentation then keep it to yourself and work harder on things within your control.
The point of this assignment is to dissect the Egyptian culture. By breaking it down into cultural universals- you will, hopefully, gain insights into how to develop your own culture- piece by piece.
clothing
medical
funeral
afterlife
jobs
religion
money
class system
transportation
art
entertainment
buildings
music
beauty
war/battle
city planning (roads, sewers, buildings, homes)
literature
trade/commerce
architecture
Rosetta Stone – Your Rosetta Stone is due on Thursday. Please make sure one person is not doing all the work. Everyone in the groups needs a copy of your created language. ALl of the language in your journal and on the artifacts need to be in your culture’s language. If you read this paragraph and wondered what a Rosetta Stone is, take the time to google it and learn.
WATCH this episode of ANCIENT IMPOSSIBLES Episode 6 on Prime
Important Dates–
Nov 6- ROSETTA STONE DUE. 30ish minutes in-class time to work with group.
Jan 15- Work on Artifacts and Journal. 30ish minutes in-class time to work with group.
Feb 12- One entire civilization/culture due. It needs to be boxed up and turned into Sara and Jay Fontano.
March 19- Before this class, you will need to meet as a group and uncover an entire civilization. You will have 30 minutes of class time to share discoveries with eachother.
Apr 23- Present on the archeological find of the century!! 20-30 minutes per group.
