Short answer: make it a short dialogue. One person tells the story; the other uses the Showing interest phrases. Start with one phrase from Engaging the listener, then use 2–3 reactions.
Here is a model that includes all the phrases in the box. In real speech, you would normally choose one opener, not all three.
A: You’re not going to believe this, but I heard this incredible story about a man who found a lottery ticket in an old coat.
B: No way!
A: Yes. Someone told me about it. He bought the coat at a second-hand shop. When he got home, he found the ticket in the pocket — and it was worth $50,000.
B: Really? What, you mean he found it in the pocket?
A: Exactly. But then he saw the original owner’s name inside the coat.
B: You’re joking!
A: No, it’s true. He gave the ticket back, and the owner gave him $5,000 as a thank-you.
B: How amazing! That’s incredible!
Why it works
- Engaging the listener = the hook at the start: “You’re not going to believe this…”
- Showing interest = the listener’s reactions: “No way!”, “Really?”, “You’re joking!”
- The story itself uses past simple for main events: bought, found, gave.
- The reactions come after surprising details, not randomly.
- In speaking, stress the strong word: How amazing! That’s incredible!
Check your own version: one clear opener, at least two interest phrases, a simple past-tense story, and a final reaction.
