In this lesson, we'll practice using stories and anecdotes.
Answer the following question. Try to include a very short story:
Do you think your company allows you to have good work-life balance?
Let's talk about anecdotes.
- Generally, who uses anecdotes?
- Why do they use anecdotes?
Let's work on telling anecdotes.
A. Adjectives
A good anecdote has powerful adjectives.
For each topic, think of 3 adjectives.
- The best food you've eaten recently.
- Your favorite workspace.
- Your best manager.
- Something unexpected that happened.
B. Detail
A good story has detail. It tells the listener the who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Pick one topic from A. Add detail.
C. Ending
The ending to an anecdote or story is important. Read these endings. Use appropriate intonation.
- It was amazing!
- It was really inspiring.
- ... but it turned out well.
- In the end, it was okay.
Now, make a strong ending to use for your story from B.
Remember, a good story can be used as evidence to back up an opinion. What stories could you tell for the questions below? Share the stories with your teacher.
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What are the qualities of a good manager?
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What do you do to relax on your days off?
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What was the best team you've ever worked with?