Non-Threatening Story Critiquing

By Carole Ann Hubner

"Non-Threatening Story Critiquing" is a process designed to help the storytellers improve their work without bruising their egos. We are here to help every storyteller whether novice or experienced to improve their craft. Our goal is to help them in a positive safe setting. It takes more effort to state our views in a positive way, but the results can be tremendous.

When you are first introduced to this process you will feel awkward and perhaps frustrated simply because it is easier to criticize rather than to critique. I've heard it said that people do not like the process because you can not say anything negative such as - "I think your story stinks." It may very well stink or not appeal to you, but how have you helped the storyteller improve with your remark? And, yours is only one opinion. The story may have merit and worth but needs rewriting or reworking, certainly something to consider before throwing it out.

Format For
Non-Threatening Story Critiquing

Note: When the audience agrees with an "Affirmation" they snap their fingers showing their agreement.
Every one of us, whether new to the art of storytelling or with years of experience under our belt, can benefit from and participate in this process. None of us can afford to rest on our laurels. We all must constantly be working to improve:
  • Our stories.
  • Our vocal variety.
  • Our body language/gestures.
  • Our stage presence.
By Following the process developed by Liz Lerman, which she calls "Critical Response," you:
  • Create a safe atmosphere wherein the storyteller can get feedback to improve his/her work.
  • The storyteller remains in control and the atmosphere is non-threatening.
  • Encourage rather than discourage the storyteller.
Although it is extremely beneficial to relatively new storytellers by encouraging rather than discouraging them it also is valuable to the more experienced teller as they learn how to improve their techniques. Utilizing this process you are able to address the following:
  • Story content.
  • Resolution of conflict within the story.
  • Flow of ideas within the story.
  • Stage presence.
  • Body Language
  • Gestures
  • Story opening and closing.

This process also teaches how to conduct these sessions. It is not hard or scary. For each session you need:

  • The Facilitator. The Facilitator is there to protect the Storyteller and make sure the Responders are asking neutral questions. This gives the storyteller a sense of security. Here is where I differ with Ms. Lerman as I do not believe the Facilitator should participate in the process beyond the duties of facilitating the process. The Facilitator does not ask questions of the storyteller or offer any opinion.
  • The Storyteller. The storyteller brings a story to share that they are currently working on or one they have told but they feel it needs working on.
  • Three or more Responders. The Responders listen to the story and observe the delivery, etc. and take notes. They ask appropriate questions and offer opinions during the process.

Facilitator Responsibilities
When you are asked to be the "Facilitator" before beginning the session review the format When you are asked to be the "Facilitator" before beginning the session review the format for story critiquing with the Storyteller(s) and the audience.

  1. Affirmation To speed up this portion ask that the responders and anyone in the audience to snap their fingers to show agreement with the affirmation. The same affirmation should not be given again by other responders. To speed up this portion ask that the responders and anyone in the audience to snap their fingers to show agreement with the affirmation. The same affirmation should not be given again by other responders.
  2. Storyteller Asks Specific Question(s).
  3. Responder(s) Ask Neutral Question(s).
  4. Opinions
  5. Lab (if appropriate and requested by the storyteller)

Remind the responders and audience you can always return to a step but you cannot move ahead of the steps while the session is in progress.

Invite those in the audience to talk with the storyteller after the session, if appropriate, but remind them the storyteller may not want any more feedback after the session ends.

Format for Story Critiquing
During each session you will follow the following format:

Affirmations UP
Responders state what they liked. This can be about the story, the delivery, the way the teller used his/her voice, etc. Another way to look at this section is to say you are giving positive feedback. Remind the responders and listeners to snap their fingers if they agree with a affirmation. Responders state what they liked. This can be about the story, the delivery, the way the teller used his/her voice, etc. Another way to look at this section is to say you are giving positive feedback. Remind the responders and listeners to snap their fingers if they agree with a affirmation.

Storyteller asks specific questions UP
For example, the teller may ask - "Was the conflict between my characters understandable?" The Responders must respond only to that question without offering any opinions on how to improve the conflict situation. One way to answer the "conflict question" might be: "I understood there was a conflict between your characters but I was not certain what it was."

The process can stop at this point, if the storyteller has informed the Facilitator in advance that they wish the process stopped after they have asked their questions. It may be all the storyteller is interested in after the feedback from the Responders. It also may be all that the storyteller is able to handle at this point. Before ending the session the Facilitator should check to see if the storyteller has changed his/her mind and to clarify the storyteller's wishes the Facilitator then asks the storyteller, "Do you want questions or opinions from your Responders?" If the answer is "No" the session ends. If the answer is "Yes" the Facilitator moves down to the "Responder Questions" or "Opinions" section.

Responders ask neutral questions UP
This is where the Facilitator's job of stepping between the storyteller and the Responder really becomes important. Although the process focuses on the storyteller who is in control the Facilitator steps between the Storyteller and Responder if the question asked is framed in the negative. Example: "Why did you wear that ugly green shirt/blouse?" It is a question that immediately puts the storyteller on the defensive. The Facilitator would step in and ask that the question be put in a neutral way or withdrawn. The Responder could ask - "Is there a particular reason you chose that color of shirt/blouse?" You are asking the same question, and making the point that you don't care for the color, without attacking the storytellers choice.

Opinions UP
The responders get to share opinions about any facet of the story, delivery, body language, etc. but the storyteller remains in control and can say no. The responder must say: "I have an opinion on (and you must be specific), do you want to hear it?" If the storyteller says yes the Responder gives the opinion.

If the storyteller says no the opinion can not be given by that Responder nor can any other Responder give an opinion on the same subject. Should another Responder address the same specific subject that the Storyteller has said no to it is up to the Facilitator to stop the Responder i.e. "The Storyteller has already stated that he/she does not wish to hear any opinions on this."

Lab Section UP
The Storyteller, Responders and audience work on the story with the suggestions that came out of the process. This step is more suited to other art forms and I've never seen a session move into this step.

The important thing about this process is that you can always return to a step but you can not move ahead in the process. Example: You are in the "Responder Asks Questions" section and a Responder thinks of an affirmation that has not been previously stated. The Responder may give an "Affirmation" during the "Responder Asks Questions" section.

But most importantly the storyteller remains in control throughout the entire process and can stop the process at any time by saying "NO."

  • No, I don't want to hear that.
  • No, I don't want to continue beyond this point.

Criticizing  Fellow Tellers
You will not always like every teller you hear. When you discuss another teller and the teller's work be mindful of what and how you state your comments. You will not always like every teller you hear. When you discuss another teller and the teller's work be mindful of what and how you state your comments.

Wrong

Right
Story Stupid. To me the story had no beginning, middle and end.
Delivery Put me to steep. I felt that if he/she would have slowed down, I could have followed the story.
Costume/Clothes Weird Perhaps if I had not been distracted by __ I could have enjoyed the story more.
  • You can be more objective if you think about what you didn't like and why you didn't like it. By carefully choosing your words in your critique you will be perceived as being helpful rather than hurtful.
  • Remember, what goes around comes around. Some day, somewhere, at some time, careless, hurtful words will be directed at you if you criticize rather than critique.
  • Sometimes it is that we personally do not like someone. It is impossible for us to be objective, if it is a personality problem. The best way to handle the situation is simply to say, "I can not be objective about s work." Remember, "silence is golden."