Narration & Retelling
Narration & Retelling
Narration is the act of narrating a story which is done by the presentation of events and experiences in an organized manner. Retelling means restating a story by paraphrasing it which is a method that can help one understand and remember details, thus making both strategies powerful tools in teaching and communication.
What is the difference between narration and retelling?
It is the narrator's particular way of telling the story that makes narration such a fantastic way of storytelling, particularly when it is the original retelling of a story involving the narrator's style and perspective. On the other hand, the retelling of a story is the summarizing or recounting of it in the author, speaker, or storyteller's own words. For instance, a teacher could firstly narrate the fairy tale to his/her students and then, to check their understanding of the main ideas and themes, he/she could ask them to retell it.
How can narration enhance storytelling skills?
Storytelling skills are improved by narration because of the fact that it urges the narrator to directly connect to the content, to speak in a lively manner, and to use figurative language. When individuals practice narration, they learn to express emotions and to create suspense, both of which are important in attracting an audience. For instance, a narrator may change his/her voice to draw different characters on the stage and this way he/she will make the story more real.
What strategies can be used for effective retelling?
The best way to retell a story is to make a summary of important occurrences, to point out the main characters, and to mention the story's themes or morals. Moreover, the use of graphic organizers can be of great help in organizing the retelling. For instance, once they finish a book, learners could draw a story map to clarify the structure of the plot before they present to their classmates their re-telling of it.
Why is retelling important in educational settings?
Educational settings greatly benefit from retelling training as it enhances students' comprehension and critical thinking skills. Teachers can, for example, see whether or not their students have understood the structure of a narrative and its main points by asking them to verbalize their interpretation of the story. A good example of this is the fact that after reading a chapter, the teacher might ask a student to retell it to reinforce the lesson and start the discussion.