TRUE STORIES TOLD LIVE WHAT IS THE MOTH

WHAT IS THE MOTH? The Moth is an acclaimed not-for-profit organization dedicated to the

A STORY SLAM Open-mic storytelling competitions. Open to anyone with a fiveminute story to

CLASSROOM STORY SLAM • Every student will write a story to tell • Revised

THE MOTH ARTISTIC PROCESS When Moth storytellers practice and refine their stories, three key

STAKES Stories are most compelling when the storyteller lets the audience know what was

CHANGE Moth stories almost always involve a personal transformation to the protagonist/storyteller. Somehow, the

THEME A single story from one’s life can be told in many different ways;

AS WE LISTEN/READ • Where do you see evidence in the text of these

FIRST, SOME EXAMPLES • “Prom” • “The Moon and Stars Talks” • “My Grandfather’s

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TRUE STORIES TOLD LIVE

WHAT IS THE MOTH? The Moth is an acclaimed not-for-profit organization dedicated to the art and craft of personal storytelling. In its twenty year history, The Moth has presented more than twenty thousand stories, told live and without notes, by people from all walks of life to standingroom-only crowds worldwide. The Moth Podcast is downloaded more than forty-four million times a year, and the Peabody Awardwinning The Moth Radio Hour airs weekly on more than 450 public radio stations nationwide.

A STORY SLAM Open-mic storytelling competitions. Open to anyone with a fiveminute story to share on the night’s theme. Come tell a story, or just enjoy the show!

CLASSROOM STORY SLAM • Every student will write a story to tell • Revised and improved in small groups • Told; not read. • 4 -6 minutes long • Loosely connected to a common theme

THE MOTH ARTISTIC PROCESS When Moth storytellers practice and refine their stories, three key concepts within the Moth artistic process are: 1 2 3

STAKES Stories are most compelling when the storyteller lets the audience know what was at stake for them in the story. When the audience/reader knows what matters to the storyteller—what they have to win or lose within the story—they are all the more invested in the story.

CHANGE Moth stories almost always involve a personal transformation to the protagonist/storyteller. Somehow, the storyteller is different from the beginning of the story to the end

THEME A single story from one’s life can be told in many different ways; storytellers tend to draw out one principal theme within the story to give it shape and to create a story arc.

AS WE LISTEN/READ • Where do you see evidence in the text of these crafting strategies? • Choose one or two details for each. How do they affect your own reading and/or listening experience? • Why do you think the storyteller chose to BEGIN and END their story the way they did? What questions remain?

FIRST, SOME EXAMPLES • “Prom” • “The Moon and Stars Talks” • “My Grandfather’s Shoes” For further listening: “Golf Clubbing” –hysterical, some bad language “Sam, Me, and Oscar the Grouch”- funny, sweet, surprising “Treasure Island”- Exciting; race issues; guns