2. KEY ELEMENTS USE IN ASL STORYTELLING
• Placement of Characters
• Movement of Characters
• Movement of Objects
• Maintaining Continuity
• Character Development
• Special Features
3. KEY ELEMENTS: SPECIAL FEATURES
• Special features are elements of storytelling that help to
add mood and drama to a story, though not all stories
lend themselves to these features. Some of these elements
include:
• Repeated Sequence (of Actions)
• Rhythmic Movement
• Metamorphosis
4. KEY ELEMENTS: SPECIAL FEATURES
• Repeated Sequence (of Actions)
• Often fairy tales use a repeated sequence of actions as a
device to help build suspense and prepare the listener for
the climax of the story.
5. KEY ELEMENTS: SPECIAL FEATURES
• The following video excerpts are three examples of how to
show a repeated sequence of actions.
6. EXAMPLE ONE
• In "The Twelve Dancing
Princesses," Anthony
modifies verbs to show
various men at different
times attempting to find
the secret only to fail and
be beheaded.
7. EXAMPLE TWO
• In "The Twelve Dancing
Princesses," Anthony
uses "condensing" to
describe the actions of
the prince during the
three nights.
8. EXAMPLE THREE
• In "The Magic Mirror of Rabbi Adam,"
Ben uses "expansion" to describe the
magician's increasing frustration each
time the arrow misses the merchant.
On the third try, the situation is
expanded when the rabbi suggests
that the merchant raise his pinky
finger so the arrow can "hit" him in
order to fool the magician.
9. KEY ELEMENTS: SPECIAL FEATURES
• Rhythmic Movement
• Assigning a certain rhythmic movement to a group of signs
can help create a specific mood or state. "The Bridge of
Magpies" uses this special feature to highlight its mythical
and romantic theme.
10. KEY ELEMENTS: SPECIAL FEATURES
• The following video excerpts are two examples from "The
Bridge of Magpies" that show how signing with certain
rhythmic movements establishes a mood.
