Step-by-Step Guide to Building an Engaging, Colloquial Story

Firstly let us talk about some direct and indirect benifits of storytelling !

1. Improves Communication Skills

2. Enhances Language Learning

3. Boosts Creativity and Mental Agility.

4. Improves Memory and Structure Thinking: sequences, cause-effect chains, and narrative arcs.

5. Strengthens Self-Confidence and Public Presence

6.Connects you to others deeply.

7. Makes you a better communicator.

Now this is the structure we use to help student train their ability to tell a story!

1. Start by Setting the Scene with Simple, Vivid Language

• Introduce where and when the story happens.

• Use sensory details to paint a picture: what do you see, hear, smell, and feel?

• Keep sentences short and clear, as if you’re telling a friend.

Vocabulary type:

• Sensory adjectives (bright, chilly, fragrant, bustling)

• Concrete nouns (bench, street, park, aroma, sunlight)

• Simple verbs of being or happening (sat, stood, smelled, heard)

Why: Helps the listener visualize and feel the environment instantly.

Example:
مرة واحد كان قاعد مع صاحبه عالقهوة، والجو كان حلو وريحة القهوة السخنة في كل مكان.
Once, a guy was sitting with his friend at the café, the weather was nice and the hot coffee smell was everywhere.

2. Show the Character’s Inner Thoughts and Feelings

• Let listeners hear the character’s mind.

• Use direct speech or “thought bubbles” to express confusion, excitement, suspicion, etc.

Vocabulary type:

• Emotive adjectives and adverbs (nervous, curious, confused, excited)

• Verbs of thinking and feeling (wondered, hoped, doubted, imagined)

• Phrases that express uncertainty or reflection (I wonder if…, Maybe…, What if…)

Why: Brings the character’s mind and heart alive so the listener can connect emotionally.

Example:
قال في نفسه: "ليش صاحبي اليوم شكله غريب؟"
He said to himself: "Why does my friend look so weird today?"

3. Build the Story Gradually, Revealing Details Bit by Bit

• Don’t dump all information at once.

• Let the character’s interpretations or misunderstandings slowly get challenged by what happens.

Vocabulary type:

• Action verbs with clear sequence (approached, pulled out, revealed, glanced)

• Transition words (then, suddenly, at first, slowly)

• Descriptive phrases hinting at mystery or curiosity (a shadowy figure, a folded note, a secret message)

Why: Creates a sense of unfolding events — keeps curiosity and attention high.

Example:
كان مفكر إنّه صاحبه تعبان شوي وجاي عباله يشرب قهوة… بس فجأةً طلّع لُه ورقة استدعاء شرطة وفرجاه إيّاها.
He thought his friend was a little tired and wanted to have a coffee… but suddenly he showed him a police summons!

4. Add Humor and Colloquial Reactions

• Use expressions or slang that fit the character and setting.

• Let the character react naturally and with personality.

Vocabulary type:

• Casual, conversational phrases or slang (Come on!, No way!, Seriously?, You gotta be kidding)

• Exclamations and interjections (Wow!, Ugh!, Hey!, Oh man!)

• Simple, direct words to express frustration, surprise, or sarcasm

Why: Makes the story feel natural and relatable, like overhearing real talk.

Example:
قال لصاحبه: "مش وقت مزحك! يا زفت."
He said to his friend: "Hey, it’s not the time for your jokes, you idiot."

5. Develop as You Like and Build Tension

• Show how this develops into a complex situation.

• Introduce a dilemma or conflict!

Vocabulary type:

• Words expressing conflict or uncertainty (worried, trapped, dilemma, choice, risk)

• Emotional verbs and adjectives (panicked, hesitant, anxious, determined)

• Phrases that show internal conflict (I don’t know what to do, Should I…?)

Why: Heightens the dramatic stakes and emotional involvement.

Example:
لا والله ما بمزح ولا اشي… هذه آخر مرة حشوفك فيها يا صاحبي.
It’s no joke at all… this is the last time I’ll see you, friend!

6. See How the Dilemma Gets Solved

• Show how the character deals with the situation in his cultural context.

• Give both inner dialogue and interaction with the outside world.

• Keep the flow like everyday talk.

Vocabulary type:

• Verbs of decision and movement (decided, grabbed, called, searched, discovered)

• Words showing collaboration or effort (help, plan, together, investigate)

• Clear, action-oriented phrases

Why: Shows progress and active resolution — keeps the story dynamic.

Example:
راح لعند محامي وبلّش إجراءات الدفاع… بعدين المحامي اكتشف أشياء أغرب من الخيال، جرائم، سرقات…
He went to a lawyer and started the defense procedures. Then the lawyer discovered things stranger than fiction: crimes, thefts…

7. Reflective Punch

• End with a strong feeling, realization, or memorable quote.

• Use something that surprises or makes the listener think.

Vocabulary type:

• Thoughtful adjectives and metaphors (strange, unexpected, like a puzzle, a wake-up call)

• Expressions of realization or wisdom (I realized that…, Sometimes…, In the end…)

• Sentences that invite reflection or lingering feelings

Why: Leaves the listener with a memorable, meaningful impression.

Example:
قال لصاحبه: "وين إحنا هَسّة؟ هل هذا حلم؟
أحيانًا الحقيقة أغرب من الحُلم!
ما تفكر حالك بتعرف الناس بس عشان شاركتهم كاسة قهوة!"

He said to his friend: "Where are we now? Is this a dream?
Sometimes reality is stranger than a dream!
Don’t think you know people just because you shared a cup of coffee with them!"