Tall Tale Definition and Tips for Writing It

There are many kinds of narrative stories. The popular one among them is a tall tale. It is a story to gain the audience’s attention, and you can bring it to a speech. Here is a tall tale definition and some tips for writing it.

Tall Tale Definition

A tall tale definition is a tale with an exaggerated style. The content of a tall tale story is unbelievable by logic, but it is entertaining. The tall tale is short, and you might read or listen to it in less than five minutes. The purpose is only for entertainment. Examples of tall tale stories are dragons, unicorns, etc.

Tips for Writing Tall Tale Stories

1. Set the story goal

Though the purpose of a tall tale is entertainment, you should set the goal of the story. The characters in the tale usually have unbelievable abilities that usually aren’t owned by human-being. The story should be less complicated conflict because overall is short.

Like other types of narrative, a tall tale should include an introduction, problem, conflict-solving, and reorientation. The main character should achieve their goal though their way to solving it is out of logic. However, the more extraordinary it is, the more audience will like it.

2. Using lots of exaggeration

Exaggeration in this story is normal, and you should make it in a narrative and dialog. Some characters may be too strong with an illogic superpower. The amount of exaggeration should be adjusted with the length of the story.

If you find it difficult to do it, you can write the normal version of the sentence first. After that, try to find some exaggerated phrases to replace the part of speech. For example, to write a heavy rain, you can write that the amount of precipitation could make a swimming pool.

3. Put some plot twist

Plot twists are the way your audience feels engaged with your story. A plot twist should be surprising and you can put it starting in the middle of the conflict. The unexpected twist in the story can be more than one. However, too many plot twists will only confuse the listeners or readers.

The twists and turns should be an interesting punchline. The audience shouldn’t predict it. It can be the narration of a character’s situation or the character itself. An exaggeration in a plot twist will be more engaging for the audience.

4. Put some humor

Humor is part of the story and you have a choice to make it exaggerated or not. The humor may be unpredictable for the audience as well. However, it shouldn’t be too much, or else the tall tale definition will change into a comedy story.

5. Know your audience

Different audiences, then different kinds of stories you will deliver. If the audience is adults, then avoid using childish characters such as a unicorn. Otherwise, don’t use adult characters because it will be confusing for the kids. After all, a tall tale should be wholesome for the audience.

6. Surprising elements

Surprising elements are different from plot twists. These elements are shorter and they may not affect the whole story. The element can be in other forms such as surprising the audience with the action the speech delivers themselves such as dancing, singing, or acting like the character.

7. Do some pauses

While you tell the story, you can do some pauses. It helps the audience to understand the plot better. The tone and pitch should be adjusted, but don’t pause too long. The audience will lose the feelings relating to the characters.

A tall tale definition is more than an ordinary narrative story. It contains exaggeration in the plot and characters. The main purpose is entertaining the audience, so you shouldn’t think too much about the logic it has in the story.