What is an essential characteristic of effective story retelling?

An essential characteristic of effective story retelling is the inclusion of big ideas and important details. This aspect emphasizes the ability of the reteller to distill the main themes and critical events of the story, conveying the overall message or moral effectively. When focusing on big ideas, the reteller captures the essence of the narrative, which aids listeners in understanding the main plot and the characters' motivations. Including key details enriches the retelling, making it more engaging and informative while ensuring that the essence of the original story is preserved.

While coherence and organization, emotional expression, and the length or complexity of the story can enhance a retelling, they are not as fundamental as addressing the big ideas and important details. Ultimately, the goal of retelling is to communicate the core elements of the story clearly and effectively.