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Writer's pictureAdeline Yeo

From Silence to Master Storyteller

Updated: Sep 28



When I was 9, my Chinese teacher was selecting a student to represent our class in a storytelling contest. To everyone's surprise, I shyly raised my hand. Why the shock? I had earned the nickname “mute” in class because I rarely spoke. But I loved writing Chinese compositions so much—it was the only subject I scored an A in, especially coming from a family that didn’t speak a word of English.


When my teacher called me to the front of the room, my legs felt like they were made of jelly. As I stood there, I could feel every pair of eyes in the room on me, curious if this ‘mute’ girl could really speak. That moment, I wished I could disappear into the floor, regretting my impulsive decision.


The teacher asked me to tell any story, so I began narrating a composition I had recently written about visiting a doctor. The words flowed effortlessly because I was so attached to the story—it was about falling sick and being cared for by my mother. Though it was a fantasy, I wished it had been real.


I spoke with such emotion that it must have convinced the teacher, and I was chosen, along with another student, to represent the class. I wasn’t the popular girl, but I surprised everyone when I came in second place! The prize? Chinese storybooks that I cherished dearly—owning books was a luxury back then.


From that moment in Primary 3 onwards, I was the class storyteller in every competition. I even participated in an English storytelling contest where my American teacher made me repeat the word "Mother" countless times. I couldn’t understand why, until years later as a Toastmaster, , I realized I had been mispronouncing the "th" sound—a common mistake where “three” often becomes “tree”! I can still picture my teacher rolling his eyes as I kept saying “Moter” instead of “Mother.” LOL!


Looking back, I realize that storytelling is rooted in writing. To tell a good story, you must first write well. Research has shown that writing helps organize thoughts and clarify ideas, making it easier to craft a coherent narrative. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Writing Research emphasizes that writing enhances cognitive organization, providing a solid foundation for storytelling.


As Flannery O’Connor once said, “I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say.” Writing allows us to articulate our thoughts, which is essential for storytelling. Public speaking isn't just about standing in front of a crowd; it's about conveying a narrative that resonates with your audience.


Each step—from thinking to writing to speaking—is connected. The stronger your writing, the more powerful your storytelling, and the more confident your speaking becomes.


This journey—from the 'silent' child to a confident storyteller—shows how writing, thinking, and speaking are deeply intertwined. And that's what we aim to nurture at the Ministry of Public Speaking: the ability to think, articulate your thoughts, write, and tell your story with confidence. Let your story come alive, starting with your thoughts, translated into words, and shared with the world!

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