Story TellingReflection

On 12th September 2013, I completed my story telling presentation in order to fulfil

the requirement of the LGA 3103 coursework. The title of my story was “Joey on the Raft”.It

was about a kangaroo and a monkey who went for rafting and face some difficulties while

going into deep water in river. As a fable story, it is accessible to all ages and abilities. In our

fast-paced, media-driven world, storytelling can be a cherishing way to remind pupils that

their spoken words are powerful, that listening is important, and clear communication

between people is an art. Via my story-telling, I get to know some of my strength and

weakness in my delivery of story which needed to be amended in order to meet pupils’

interest in school.

First of all, I would like to list down some of my strength during my story-telling

presentation. My lecturer, Madam Suguna commented that the story selection was good.

Personally, I feel the story I choose will definitely grab pupil’s attention as it contains talking

animal characters like kangaroo, monkey and crocodile. Pupils usually are attracted to

animated characters and I feel the story I chosen is suitable for lower primary pupils. The

word choice in the story are appropriate for lower primary pupils; for example words like

excited, frightened and idea. Furthermore, my peers; Cyril and Bibi Nuraqma noted that

during my presentation, my voice projection was clear enough as everyone able to listen to

my story.

I also believe that the use proper intonation during my storytelling like changing the

tone of voice for different characters was interesting. The different voice enable my

classmates to identify that different characters involved in the event of the story. Based on

my peer’s (Loh Wei Yin and Theivina Narayanasamy) comments, the props I prepared was

attractive especially the backdrop. I did also use appropriate amount of props so that others

wouldn’t be confused when they are listening to the story.Apart from these, I did also

maintained my eye contact with the audience and try to make my story telling more lively.

Some of my peers; Vanessa and Nurul Farihah did mentioned that I did made interaction

with my classmates and I feel by having interactions, I will evoke the audience to engage in

the story enthusiastically.

Anyway, the major drawback of my story-telling presentation was being too nervous

and I did forget my scripts of story. I was lack of confidence to face the audience

(classmates) and consequently I forget my scripts and paused several times during my

storytelling presentation. Even though I practiced well before my presentation day yet I still

feel panicky when standing in front of the class. Being lack of poise is my foremost

weakness for myself. Besides, when I was panicked, I couldn’t handle the props well

according to the flow of the story. I was just holding them rather than moving the puppets

properly which showed like I am reading the story. Based on my lecturer, Madam Suguna

comments, I didn’t prepare a table for my props so that it doesn’t interrupt my presentation.

As I didn’t prepare enough space for placing my props, I face some problems during my

presentation. It made my presentation a little clumsy and unable to call to mind what I am

supposed to tell them subsequently.

Moreover, I was lacking of facial expressions, gesture and body movements. While I

was delivering the story, it was too monotonous where I was standing too static and not even

once I used the space provided. I didn’t show the enthusiasm to deliver the story and it

ended in a passive presentation. Usually, a story-teller should have the enthusiasm to tell a

story to young pupils so that the story is delivered in a lucid manner but I tell my story in an

impassive way. Hence as my peers; Ting Kung Ying and Nurul Najibah said, I should have

be more expressive in delivering the story so that it evokes the interest in my classmates to

listen to the story. In addition, my gestures was seem less during the presentation. I just say

the characters; “Isn’t that fun, asked Joey. Oh, yes, it is, Mike jumped for joy.” but I didn’t

show them the expressions by impersonating the characters or jump for a few inch in front

of my classmates to show the excitements of the characters. My facial expressions was the

same throughout the delivery of my story. Last but not least, the speed of delivery in my

storytelling was like I am in haste. As my lecturer commented, I should slow down a little so

that my classmates understand the flow of the story.

Henceforth, if I have a chance to overcome my weakness in my story telling

presentation, for sure I will improvise in certain aspects. First of all, I would perk up in using

appropriate actions and hand movements which can really help my story become more real.

Naturally, body and hand gestures should be coordinated to the story line. I should decide if

want to stand or sit while telling my story. As I tell the story, "Joey and Mike went out for

rafting.", I should move around to show the characters are going from one place to another. I

must ensure appropriate talking speed in my presentation. I should tell my story in a

deliberate way so that everyone can understand the events take place in the story. Besides,

I have to be more confident in bringing up the events in the story to pupils. I should be a little

dramatic. If there’s a scary moment, I must try to look frightened and pupils will think it’s

funny if I look more frightened than they are. I could also use silly voices for different

characters or change the tone of your voice (shouting, whispering and singing) wherever

relevant. This really keeps the pupil’s attention and the story-telling will be more fun to the.

Last but not least, personally I feel that this story-telling presentationwas a very

constructive tool, in the sense that it has developed my confidence as well as focused on

areas that need improvement. I learned so much about my weaknesses and strengths,

personal teaching attributes and new skills to employ when I enter the real teaching

professionworld. It also provide an excellent opportunities for me to test my communication and skills

to be applied in my story-telling presentation.