Author: Mark Twain
Year: 1897
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Genres/categories:
Non Fiction, Classic, Essays, Humor
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In his inimitable way, Mark Twain gives sound advice about how to tell a story, then lets us in on some curious incidents he experienced, and finishes with a trip that proves life-changing.
First Page:
HOW TO TELL A STORY AND OTHERS
by Mark Twain
CONTENTS:
HOW TO TELL A STORY THE WOUNDED SOLDIER THE GOLDEN ARM MENTAL TELEGRAPHY AGAIN THE INVALID'S STORY
HOW TO TELL A STORY
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...
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