As I was watching videos on audio storytelling, there were a few things that came up that really struck me and stayed with me.

The first was from Ira Glass.  He made a point of saying aduio storytelling is very different from what we learn storytelling is in school.  His basis for this is mainly, audio storytelling, like that of the radio, does not have a thesis statement which the rest of the telling follows.  Audio stories have many different points which trigger one thing after another.  There is bait that raises a question which causes something to happen and another and another.  At first I agreed with what Glass was saying until he talked about suspense and reflection.  In school these are also keep parts of making a story.  You have to grab people and keep them on the edge of their seats and then something happens and there is a period to explain it.  I think the main difference between stories in school and audio stories is that school is more structured and has a focus, while audio can change and diverge.

Glass went on to make another point about mistakes people make on the radio.  The one I found most important was to BE YOURSELF!  When you are broadcasting to listener who cannot see you there is no point to try to be something or someone you are not.  (That is done enough on tv and in movies, it’s called acting).  On the radio you can’t imitate others, you just have to be you.

Jad Abumrad from Radio Lab also had insight into audio storytelling.  He talked about how radio is powered by the absence of pictures.  The person talking has to try paint a picture for the listener, but the listener is the true artist.  Together through words and tone of voice, along with a variety of sound tricks and techniques, a story is told.  I loved how this was put and I fully understand what he was saying.  Not only is this true of the radio, but also music.