Speaking: Storytelling & Narrative Skills B2
Using Vivid Language to Engage Listeners
The Core Principle: "Show, Don't Tell" 🎨
A good story creates an experience. Instead of telling your listener how something was, use descriptive language to let them experience it for themselves.
"The market was busy."
"The food was delicious."
"The man was angry."
"The market was jam-packed with people, and the chatter was deafening."
"The beef lok lak was incredibly tender, and the zesty, peppery lime sauce exploded with flavour."
"The man's face turned red, he clenched his fists, and spoke through gritted teeth."
Your Toolkit for Vivid Language 🔧
Here are three tools you can use to "show" instead of "tell".
Replace weak, common verbs with more powerful, descriptive ones.
Weak: "The old man walked slowly down the street."
Strong: "The old man shuffled slowly down the street."
Use words that appeal to the five senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste.
General: "It was a hot day."
Sensory: "It was a blistering hot day; the air felt thick and humid."
A simile compares two different things using 'like' or 'as' to create a powerful image.
"The rain came down like a solid wall of water."
"The hotel bed felt as soft as a cloud."
Scenario: Before & After 🎭
Let's see the difference in action. Here is a simple story, first told with basic language, and then upgraded with vivid details.
"I went to a cafe yesterday. It was nice. I had a coffee and a croissant. The coffee was good. I sat and read my book."
"Yesterday, I discovered a little cafe tucked away in a quiet alley. The rich aroma of roasting coffee beans hit me. I ordered a hot latte and a flaky, buttery croissant. The coffee was strong and velvety. I found a comfortable armchair and just sat there for an hour, the quiet murmur of conversations around me like a gentle hum."
Building Your Skills 🎯
🧠 How to Build Your Descriptive Vocabulary
1. Read More: Reading stories in English is the best way to see how skilled writers use vivid language.
2. Be a "Noticer": Pay attention to the sensory details in your own life. How would you describe the smell of rain on hot pavement? The sound of a busy street in Phnom Penh?
3. Use a Thesaurus (Wisely): If you use a simple word like "nice," use an online thesaurus to find more interesting synonyms. Look up the new words to understand their specific meaning.
💡 Practice Quiz: Upgrade the Sentence
1. Choose the most vivid and engaging sentence.
A) The soup was a very high temperature.
B) The Kuy Teav was so hot that steam was rising from the bowl, and the fiery chili oil made my lips tingle.
C) The soup was good because it was hot.
→ Answer: B. This option appeals to multiple senses (sight, touch/feeling, taste).
2. Choose the most vivid and engaging sentence.
A) The dog sprinted across the field, its paws thundering on the dry ground like a drumbeat.
B) The dog went quickly across the field.
C) The dog moved its legs and crossed the field.
→ Answer: A. This uses a strong verb ("sprinted"), a sensory detail ("thundering"), and a simile ("like a drumbeat").
Key Vocabulary
- Vivid Producing strong, clear images in the mind.
- To Engage To attract and involve someone's interest or attention.
- Simile A figure of speech that compares two things using "like" or "as".
- Sensory Details Words that connect to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch).
- Show, Don't Tell A writing technique using actions and senses rather than direct explanation.
Your Mission: The Sensory Story ⭐
Your mission is to tell a short story using the "Show, Don't Tell" principle.
- Think of a simple memory, like eating at your favorite street food stall or walking on a beach.
- Record yourself for 60-90 seconds describing this memory.
- Your Goal: You must include at least three different sensory details (e.g., what you saw, smelled, and heard). Try to use one strong verb.
- Example: "My favorite food memory is eating Lort Cha near the Russian Market. I can still picture the enormous, sizzling hot plate. You could always hear the sizzle of the noodles on the iron pan, and the smoky aroma of the beef always made my mouth water..."