PERFORMANCE IN ORAL NARRATIVES

Performance of Oral Narratives

 Performance means delivering or acting out a piece of art like an oral narrative. It is said that without performance, oral literature is dead. Performance therefore breathes life into oral literature. Due to their oral nature, oral narratives can be made interesting by performing it to an audience.  Performance here involves the use of the voice, body language and other items like props and costumes to pass a given message.

Task 1

Dramatize your favourite narrative to your classmates. Let your classmates note down how you use your voice and body language.

 

Preparation for An Oral Narrative Performance

To have a successful performance of an oral narrative, then a narrator has to prepare. It is said that success comes when preparation meets an opportunity. The following are ways in which oral artists can prepare to perform a narrative:

1.     Rehearse the narrative so as to improve your mastery of the content.

2.     Perform the narrative before a mock audience to get feedback and boost confidence

3.     Prepare the costumes and props you will use so as to avoid stagefright and disappointment.

4.     Consult an expert like a teacher or trainers to guide you on how to peform.

5.     Pre-visit the venue of the performance to familiarize yourself with the place for easy movement and performance.

Performing a narrative

As mentioned earlier, performing a narrative means using your voice, your face and other body parts to communicate  the message in the narrative. By doing this you not only make the story interesting but also memorable to the audience.

To achieve a successful performance of a story, observe the following:

1.     Be audible

2.     Pronounce words correctly.

3.     Stress words appropriately.

4.     Vary your tone.

5.     Use correct intonation when saying sentences.

6.     Change your facial expressions to reinforce the message.

7.     Use gestures appropriately.

8.     Use body movement where necessary.

9.     Use the relevant pace of voice when speaking.

10.  Use appropriate costumes

11.  Use relevant props.

 

Audience Reactions to a Performance.

There are two types of audience : active and passive audience.

To achieve a good performance, it is important to note how the audience reacts to a performance. When the audience is enjoying your performance, they will behave in the following ways:

1.     They will maintain meaningful eye contact with you.

2.     They will sit upright.

3.     They will nod their heads

4.     They will clap to appreciate you.

5.     They will join you in singing or repeating an expression.

6.     They will make expressions on their face to react to the mood you set.

7.     They will cheer you.


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