Folklore All forms of narrative, written or oral, which has been handed down through the years. Within a particular culture storytelling

Common Characteristics Short, fast-moving plots frequently humorous almost always ends happily good and just are eventually rewarded evil punished wishes come true, usually as a result of fulfilling a task or trial

Beginning - Ending Introduction - the characters, setting, and conflict in the first few sentences Conclusion - follows the climax very quickly few details

Characters Completely good beautiful girl is also virtuous, humble, patient, and loving hero is fair-haired, strong, virile, brave, kind and sympathetic poor are kind and generous Entirely evil stepmothers are ugly, cross, and mean the rich are greedy, hardhearted, and conniving

Setting Time and place established quickly time is always past “Once upon a time…” time passes quickly not a specific place, “In a faraway place...”

Plot Quick flow of action simple and direct repetition of responses, chants or poems

Theme To tell an interesting story good virtues are rewarded values of a culture are written in folktales –kindness, patience, sympathy, hard work