What technique does a good storyteller use to engage the audience?

A good storyteller effectively engages the audience by employing sensory images, which evoke vivid mental pictures and stimulate the senses. This technique helps listeners to not only imagine the scenes being described but to also feel the emotions and experiences of the characters. By incorporating rich, descriptive language that appeals to sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell, the storyteller creates a more immersive experience. This sensory engagement can enhance the audience's connection to the narrative, making the story more memorable and impactful.

In contrast, visual aids may support storytelling but do not inherently draw on the imagination as sensory images do. Complex language, while it may demonstrate a storyteller's sophistication, can also alienate the audience if it becomes difficult to understand. Humor can be a powerful element in storytelling but does not necessarily engage the audience on the deeper, sensory level that sensory images accomplish. Therefore, sensory imagery is a fundamental technique that serves to captivate and maintain audience interest throughout the narrative.