How do you structure your anecdotes and examples to create interest and suspense?

2 Hook your audience with a strong opening

The second step to structure your anecdotes and examples is to hook your audience with a strong opening. You want to capture their attention, curiosity, and emotion from the start. You can use different techniques to open your stories, such as asking a question, making a surprising statement, using a quote, or setting the scene. Avoid opening with too much background information, details, or explanations that might lose your audience's interest.

3 Build suspense with the conflict and climax

The third step to structure your anecdotes and examples is to build suspense with the conflict and climax. You want to create tension, drama, and uncertainty in your stories, and lead your audience to the most important or exciting moment. You can use different techniques to build suspense, such as using dialogue, sensory details, contrast, or foreshadowing. Avoid revealing the outcome too soon, or skipping the conflict or climax altogether.

4 Resolve the story with a clear outcome

The fourth step to structure your anecdotes and examples is to resolve the story with a clear outcome. You want to show your audience how the story ended, what the consequences or implications were, and what the lesson or takeaway was. You can use different techniques to resolve your stories, such as using a twist, a call to action, a reflection, or a summary. Avoid leaving your story hanging, or ending with a weak or vague outcome.

6 Practice and polish your delivery

The sixth and final step to structure your anecdotes and examples is to practice and polish your delivery. You want to deliver your stories with confidence, clarity, and emotion, and use your voice, body language, and visuals to enhance your impact. You can use different techniques to practice and polish your delivery, such as recording yourself, getting feedback, editing your script, or rehearsing with props. Avoid reading from notes, speaking too fast or slow, or using filler words or gestures.