It was 3 p.m. on a hot, summer afternoon. The non-air conditioned college classroom was jammed with CityYear participants who had started their active day before 6 a.m. I was doing a workshop on using the Magic of Storytelling in the Community when I noticed a few eyes closing and a few heads nodding. I said, Let me tell you a story and everyone perked up. Everyone loves a good story. How can we use the power of story to enhance our presentations?

Why should we use stories? The truth is that audience members probably will not remember our names, but they will remember our stories. Even if we have given them handouts and talked for many minutes on an important topic, participants often wont remember the points we have made. But they will remember a point that has been illustrated with an effective story. We enjoy, internalize, and remember stories. Thats why fables, parables, folktales, and family stories have lasted for centuries.

Where can we find stories to tell? Stories are everywhere. By being observant and making notes of daily occurrences, we can find lots of material for our stories. For example, if you are doing presentations on customer service, you encounter examples of good, bad, and, hopefully, superior customer service on a regular basis. Our own lives and experiences offer a wealth of stories. Just remember, that the audience will enjoy hearing about your struggles and failures more than your successes. It puts us in the category of vulnerability. The audience members relate with a me too bonding.

What makes an effective story? To be effective and memorable, a story -- and not just an anecdote or description -- has several components. First is the main character who has something to learn or overcome. You, the speaker and narrator may often be the main character. There is something blocking you or causing you trouble which turns into a crisis. It may be an outside force -- for example, the weather, a catastrophe, or another person -- or it may be you, yourself. A crisis is any event that stretches the main character and brings about the climax. For a story to be successful, the plot starts with a status quo, moves into the crisis, and following the climax, nothing is ever the same again. A story provides the perfect venue for making a point, imparting a life message, or teaching a lesson.

Where should a story or stories occur in the presentation? The positioning of a story in the presentation depends upon the type of story we choose to tell. Often a humorous story placed at the beginning will evoke laughter which helps with audience rapport. An autobiographical story at the beginning of a presentation can also introduce you and your background to the audience. During the presentation, what I call ah ha! stories can help with making many points. Ending with an emotional story will keep your presentation and you alive in the audiences hearts and minds for a long time following your speech or workshop.

Start telling, retelling, and retelling. The more often you tell your stories, the more comfortable and the better you will become as a storyteller. So tell your stories to anyone who will listen -- friends, family, peers, and co-workers. Watch to see how they react. Ask them for feedback. The stories will soon take on a life of their own and you can start using them to enliven your presentations.