Ever need to make a story "shorter"? Need to cut through that long, epic saga, but you don't want the audience to lose important information? Here's a device used successfully by storyteller Laura Rutherford.
Use the phrase, "As everyone knows..." or "As you all know..." This can significantly shorten the length of the story without losing critical content or sacrificing the integrity of the tale. Laura has used this device in cutting down an epic Myth.
For example: In Jack and the Beanstalk, let's say you only have time to tell about "two" of the times that Jack climbs the stalk and steals from the giant. After telling about stealing the bag of gold, you might say,
As all of you know, Jack went up the stalk a second time and stole the goose that lays the golden eggs, and once again was nearly caught by the giant. He saw one more item that he wanted, a golden harp that sang. But Jack fled as he heard the Giant's rant of "Fee-fi-fo-fum!"
Using the phrase "As everyone knows..." brings the audience in. It makes them privy to what you know, even if they DON'T know it.
It is essential that one must be careful about what to excise and refer to in this manner. I wouldn't use it in a story like the Three Little Pigs, or Goldilocks, where the repetition is more crucial to the story. It’s good for long, expository sections that add detail, but could easily be left out if needed.
- National Storytelling Network? You should be.
