There are all sorts of different patterns in our lives: ripples on a pond; sounds of a bird chirping; mosaics in an art piece; the waves on the ocean; speech patterns in your language and don't forget the patterns of the hero's journey!

These and many other patterns that are played out in the stories we tell; both in the patterns of life and the story itself, and often in the language we use.

All of these patterns are a part of your story. Patterns are important, so we can recognize and relate to them in the story and also in our own lives and stories. So, in some ways, it is our job to represent these patterns in a way that will assist the listener in recognizing theme. How can you highlight or emphasize these patterns for and with your audience?

• Repetition
• Call and response
• Descriptive language
• Use of metaphors and similes
• Alliteration
• Assonance
• Sounds
• Gestures and body movements
• Facial expressions
• Rhyming
• Pauses
• ...and many more

Here's a phrase that most of us know, "But wait, there's more!" This could be used effectively in a story where someone continually screws up or, perhaps, comes out smelling like a rose. The phrase merely emphasizes that this is a pattern that happens over and over. Double down with this phrase by using call and response with the audience!

Here's another example:

It was a tiger, a tiger, stepping in time. One could see right through him...waiting...waiting...to commit his carnivorous crime.. His stripes were moving, growling and howling, making ripples in the forest. Waiting...waiting...waiting to dine.

Look at your story. Look for and listen for the patterns...then use them!