How to Tell a Story and Others

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book How to Tell a Story and Others by Mark Twain, Library of Alexandria
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Author: Mark Twain ISBN: 9781613100424
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: July 29, 2009
Imprint: Library of Alexandria Language: English
Author: Mark Twain
ISBN: 9781613100424
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: July 29, 2009
Imprint: Library of Alexandria
Language: English
The Humorous Story an American Development.−−Its Difference from Comic and Witty Stories. I do not claim that I can tell a story as it ought to be told. I only claim to know how a story ought to be told, for I have been almost daily in the company of the most expert story−tellers for many years. There are several kinds of stories, but only one difficult kind−−the humorous. I will talk mainly about that one. The humorous story is American, the comic story is English, the witty story is French. The humorous story depends for its effect upon the manner of the telling; the comic story and the witty story upon the matter. The humorous story may be spun out to great length, and may wander around as much as it pleases, and arrive nowhere in particular; but the comic and witty stories must be brief and end with a point. The humorous story bubbles gently along, the Others burst. The humorous story is strictly a work of art−−high and delicate art−− and only an artist can tell it; but no art is necessary in telling the comic and the witty story; anybody can do it. The art of telling a humorous story−−understand, I mean by word of mouth, not print−−was created in America, and has remained at home.
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The Humorous Story an American Development.−−Its Difference from Comic and Witty Stories. I do not claim that I can tell a story as it ought to be told. I only claim to know how a story ought to be told, for I have been almost daily in the company of the most expert story−tellers for many years. There are several kinds of stories, but only one difficult kind−−the humorous. I will talk mainly about that one. The humorous story is American, the comic story is English, the witty story is French. The humorous story depends for its effect upon the manner of the telling; the comic story and the witty story upon the matter. The humorous story may be spun out to great length, and may wander around as much as it pleases, and arrive nowhere in particular; but the comic and witty stories must be brief and end with a point. The humorous story bubbles gently along, the Others burst. The humorous story is strictly a work of art−−high and delicate art−− and only an artist can tell it; but no art is necessary in telling the comic and the witty story; anybody can do it. The art of telling a humorous story−−understand, I mean by word of mouth, not print−−was created in America, and has remained at home.

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