https://etecafe.blogspot.com/2025/01/540-task-3-voice-to-text-task-yes-today.html
I chose to link to Elaine’s Voice to Text post because I think she did an outstanding job exploring the differences between written and oral stories. One point that stood out to me was the mention of pacing. Oral storytellers have the unique advantage of creating suspense and engagement through pauses, varying the volume of their voice, and altering their rhythm. These changes create a dynamic experience that is tailored in real-time to the audience. Essentially, a storyteller can adjust to the audience in real-time in a way that an author of written text can not.
Elaine’s comment, “The characters in oral storytelling can be brought to life through voice, tone, and physical presence, ” reminded me of a trip I took to Barkerville, BC, in May of 2024. Barkerville is a historic town where skilled storytellers make the past come alive. I am 100% sure my 14-year-old son learned more from this trip than he ever could have by just reading a text. While the fact of actually being on location was valuable, the storytellers were key to this experience. Here is a link to a video of a tour of the town so you can see what I mean.