Posted By Bookalooza | 01 of March 2025 at 06:14 AM
Storytelling is a way to share experiences, knowledge, and emotions using words, expressions, imagination and gestures. Stories can be true or fictional, simple or complex, humorous or serious.
1. Storytelling is participatory.
2. Storytelling makes use of words.
3. Storytelling makes use of actions, physical motion, and/or vocalisation.
4. Storytelling tells a narrative.
5. Storytelling encourages listeners to use their imaginations actively.
Stories often convey ethical lessons through characters and their experiences, making it an effective tool for imparting moral principles to both children and adults.
Through imaginative narratives, storytelling introduces audiences to novel ideas, perspectives, and scenarios, expanding their understanding of the world and encouraging critical thinking.
Engaging in storytelling exercises the creative faculties of the mind, encouraging individuals to craft unique narratives, characters, and settings, fostering creativity.
Storytelling enhances language skills by exposing listeners to diverse vocabulary, sentence structures, and storytelling techniques, aiding in communication proficiency.
Engaging stories can instil a passion for reading, as they kindle curiosity and a desire to explore more tales within books and written literature.
Storytelling makes learning enjoyable by transforming educational content into engaging narratives, making it easier for learners to retain and apply information. Let’s dive into the art of storytelling using the present tense, where stories unfold before your very eyes.
Tenses are forms of verbs that reflect the time of action happened or happening or will happen and allows you to express time. They denote the time of action and show when the work is done.
They are:
Past tense
Present tense
Future tense
Each type further consists of four subparts, that is, Simple, Continuous, Perfect, and Perfect Continuous. So in this blog, we will discuss present tense with rules and examples in detail and how to use it in a creative story.
The present tense is used to describe actions or events that are happening right now, at the present moment, or actions that happen regularly or repeatedly.
The present tense is a fundamental concept in grammar that helps us talk about actions happening right now, at the present moment or actions that happen regularly or repeatedly and describe habits and general truths. It's like a snapshot of the current moment in time. In this blog post, we'll explore the different types of present tense and provide easy-to-understand examples to help you to grab this concept.
Types of present tense
When to Use: We use this when talking about regular activities, habits, or facts that are generally true.
The simple present tense is used to describe actions that are regular, habitual, or true in general.
Example 1:
I play soccer every weekend.
In this sentence, "play" is in the simple present tense because it talks about a regular, habitual action.
Example 2:
The Earth revolves around the sun.
Here, "revolves" is in the simple present tense because it states a general truth.
The present continuous tense is used to describe actions that are happening right now or are in progress.
When to Use: We use this when something is happening right now, at the moment you're talking about.
Example 1:
She is reading a book.
In this sentence, "is reading" is in the present continuous tense because it describes an action happening at the moment of speaking.
Example 2:
They are playing outside.
"Are playing" is in the present continuous tense since it shows an action in progress.
The present perfect tense is used to express actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past and have a connection to the present.
When to Use: We use this to talk about an action that happened at an unspecified time in the past but is still relevant in the present.
Example 1:
I have finished my homework.
In this sentence, "have finished" is in the present perfect tense because it tells us about an action completed in the past with relevance to the present.
Example 2:
She has visited Paris before.
"Has visited" is in the present perfect tense, indicating a past action connected to the present.
The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe actions that began in the past and are still ongoing or have just stopped.
When to Use: We use this to show that an action started in the past and is still going on, or has just stopped.
Example 1:
They have been working on this project for hours.
Here, "have been working" is in the present perfect continuous tense because it emphasizes the continuous nature of the action from the past until now.
Example 2:
It has been raining since morning.
"Has been raining" is in the present perfect continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action.
Here are some simple ways to make your story more creative while using the present tense:
1. Vivid Descriptions: Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of your scenes and characters.
For example, "The sun casts a golden glow over the tranquil meadow, and a gentle breeze rustles the leaves."
2. Show, Don't Tell: Instead of simply stating facts, show them through actions and sensory details.
For example, "She nervously taps her fingers on the table, her eyes darting around the room" is more engaging than "She is nervous."
3. Dialogue: Make your characters' conversations dynamic and natural. Use dialogue to reveal their personalities, conflicts, and motivations.
For example, "He says with a mischievous grin, 'Guess what I found in the attic?'" adds intrigue.
4. Use of Metaphors and Similes: Employ metaphors and similes to draw comparisons and create vivid mental images.
For example, "Her smile is as bright as a summer's day" adds depth to your description.
5. Action Verbs: Choose strong action verbs to convey what's happening. Instead of saying,
For example, "He walks slowly," you can say, "He saunters."
6. Engage the Senses: Incorporate sensory details to immerse the reader in the story. Mention sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures.
For example, "The aroma of freshly baked bread wafts through the air" sets the scene.
7. Internal Thoughts: Show your characters' thoughts and emotions through their internal monologues.
For example, "She wonders if this decision will change her life forever" gives insight into her feelings.
8. Foreshadowing: Drop hints or clues about future events to pique the reader's curiosity.
For example, "Little does he know, this is the beginning of a thrilling adventure."
9. Vary Sentence Structure: Mix short and long sentences to create rhythm and pace. Short sentences can convey urgency, while longer ones provide depth.
10. Engage Emotions: Connect the reader emotionally to the characters by describing their feelings.
For example, "Her heart races with excitement as she opens the mysterious envelope" lets readers share in her emotions.
11. Use Present Continuous Tense: Occasionally, use the present continuous tense (e.g., "He is running") to describe ongoing actions and create a sense of immediate action.
12. Create Tension: Introduce conflict and build tension by setting up obstacles or dilemmas.
For example, "With every passing second, the bomb's countdown grows closer to zero" adds suspense.
13. Unpredictability: Surprise your readers by taking the story in unexpected directions. This keeps them engaged and eager to know what happens next.
Conclusion: Let your stories sparkle in the world!!!
As you've learned about the present tense and how to make your stories cooler with it. Now, it's time to practice! Remember, storytelling is like drawing with words, and the present tense is like a special colour that makes your pictures pop. So, start writing with lively descriptions, fun dialogue, and surprising twists. Whether you write for fun or something bigger, the present tense will make your stories shine. Happy writing, and let your stories sparkle in the world!
