Brick by Brick (Building Blocks of Storytelling courtesy of Ira Glass)

Ira Glass on Storytelling

Some excellent insights into the art and craft of storytelling from Ira Glass of NPR’s “This American Life” (which has featured some amazing storytelling, including Un-Cabaret performances by Julia Sweeney).

In this rap, Ira lays out some important building blocks of oral storytelling for radio or TV. I’d add stage, and, even if it’s not your end goal, think about using stage or any oral medium to ‘write’ because then you are generating material from the ‘right’ side of your brain.