Video Description: Motoko Dworkin is a professional storyteller focused on sharing Asian folk tales as well as personal stories. Hear why she loves the ancient art of storytelling, how and why she chooses to tell her stories, and the lessons she believes we can all learn through sharing stories.

Discussion Questions:
• In the video, Ms. Dworkin talks about how stories can help people learn about cultures different from their own. Have you read or heard a story that helped you learn about a culture different than your own? What was the story and what did you learn?
• Ms. Dworkin also mentions how important it is to her that audience members find something in her stories to identify with. Do you find this important in the stories you write? What is important to you as a writer? What would you most like people to experience in the stories you tell?
• Ms. Dworkin describes storytelling as an “exchange of energy with the audience.” She says, “You trust your audience. I completely trust and fall. I dive! And you kind of have to love that and appreciate that. It’s not just you jumping, people are catching you.” What is your reaction to this description of storytelling? Have you ever felt like that when telling a story, reading a story, or watching a story being told? How would you describe storytelling?

Activity Ideas:
• Use the video as part of your study in cultures and have students explore storytelling traditions in Asia from ancient times to today and select a story of their choice to present to class or to another audience of your choice.
• Use the video as part of your study of literature and literary devices. Have students write a story from their personal history or that reflects a tradition or story of their culture utilizing one of the storytelling techniques or objectives Ms. Dworkin talks about using.
• Learn more about Ms. Dworkin and view excerpts from her storytelling performances at https://motoko.folktales.net/.