How to Be a Brilliant Storyteller

(Because the World Needs Your Voice, Not Just Your Word Count)

Stories are everywhere. They’re in the books you read, the games you play, the movies you quote, the jokes you tell, and even the TikToks you watch on your “study break” that may or may not be going into hour two. But here’s the thing: being a great storyteller isn’t just for novelists or filmmakers. It’s one of the most powerful skills you can develop in high school — whether you’re writing a creative piece for English, crafting a speech, or even explaining an idea in a persuasive essay. Storytelling is how we connect. It’s how we make people care. And the good news? It’s a skill — not a talent. Which means you can get better at it. With practice. With intention. And with a few clever tricks up your sleeve. So let’s break it down: seven ways to level up your storytelling skills, starting right now.

1. Start with a Spark, Not a Spreadsheet

Every great story starts with something interesting. A moment. A problem. A character. A question. If your opening sounds like a weather report or a diary entry, your reader’s already halfway out the door. Pro tip: Start with tension, a question, or a vivid image. Drop your reader into the middle of something. Then make them want to know what happens next.

2. Know What Your Story Is Really About

It’s easy to get caught up in plot. But strong stories have purpose. They’re not just a list of events. They explore something bigger: courage, friendship, fear, failure, growth. Pro tip: Ask yourself: What’s the heart of this story? If you can sum it up in a sentence — “It’s about learning to speak up” — everything else gets clearer.

3. Build Characters That Feel Real

Readers won’t care about your story until they care about the people in it. That doesn’t mean your characters have to be superheroes — they just have to feel human. Pro tip: Give your characters hopes, flaws, fears, and choices. What do they want? What’s getting in the way? That’s where the drama lives.

4. Use Dialogue That Sounds Like Real People

If your characters talk like a thesaurus or a Year 12 essay, we’ve got a problem. Dialogue should sound like actual conversation — with rhythm, quirks, and unfinished thoughts. Pro tip: Read it out loud. If it sounds awkward, stiff, or way too formal, rewrite it. You want readers to hear the voice in their head — not the teacher voice in the staff room.

5. Show, Don’t Tell (But Also Know When to Tell)

Yes, the classic rule. Don’t tell us she was nervous — show her biting her nails, checking her phone, avoiding eye contact. But also? Don’t spend four paragraphs describing a tree. Balance is key. Pro tip: Use sensory detail and action to showemotion. Use short, sharp telling lines to move things forward when needed.

6. Use Structure to Create Momentum

Even creative stories need structure. A beginning that hooks. A middle that builds tension. A climax that hits hard. And an ending that lands. If your story wanders off like a lost backpack at lunch, your message gets lost too. Pro tip: Try using the Hero’s Journey or a simple three-act structure: setup, conflict, resolution. It’s like scaffolding — invisible when done well, but it holds everything up.

7. Edit Like a Pro (AKA Ruthlessly)

Your first draft is just you telling yourself the story. The real magic happens in the edit. That’s where you trim the waffle, tighten the dialogue, and sharpen every sentence. Pro tip: Read it out loud. Find where you stumble. That’s where your story needs smoothing. Then cut anything that doesn’t serve the core idea.

In Conclusion: Storytelling Is a Superpower

Whether you’re writing a personal reflection, a spooky short story, or a TED-style talk for English, storytelling is what makes your message stick. It’s what lifts your writing from “technically correct” to “I couldn’t stop reading.” And here’s the best part: you already have stories worth telling. You’ve lived them. You’ve seen them. You’ve imagined them while staring out the window in class. Now’s your time to bring them to life — with voice, purpose and maybe just a little dramatic flair. So grab your pen, your laptop, or your voice recorder.

Start where it matters. And remember: every great storyteller was once a beginner who decided to keep going.

This blog post was created by Felstead Education. We deliver a range of literacy programs tailored for the needs of primary, secondary and senior school students. Our programs help to generate a love of the written word amongst students, build their confidence and skill set in their writing and help to reduce anxiety around essay writing and storytelling. Some of our programs include Essay Experts and The Storyteller’s Toolkit

To find out more about how we can help your students to be well and do well, visit us at www.felstead.com.au or email: info@felstead.com.au