1. Myths, Epic Tales, and Storytelling

2. Oral Tradition The sharing of stories, cultures, and ideas by word of mouth. Common Elements of Oral Tradition Include: -Themes -Morals -Heroes/Heroines -Storytelling

3. Theme- A central idea, message or insight a story reveals. Moral- A lesson about life that is taught by the story. EX: “Hard work leads to success.”

4. Heroes/Heroines Larger-than-life figures whose virtues and deeds are often celebrated in stories from the oral tradition.

5. Storytelling Calls on the talents and personality of the teller to bring the narrative to life. Storytelling techniques include hyperbole, or the use of exaggeration or overstatement (“He was strong as an ox!”), and personification, the giving of human characteristics to a non-human subject (Ex. A talking fox or an angry tree).

6. Categories of Stories: Myths- Ancient tales that describe the actions of gods, goddesses, and the heroes who interact with them. Legends- Traditional stories about the past. They are based on real-life events of people, but they are more fiction than fact. Folk Tales- Tell about ordinary people. These stories reveal the traditions and values of a culture and teach a lesson about life.

7. Categories of Stories Continued… Tall Tales- Folk tales that contain hyperbole. Fables- Brief animal stories that contain personification. Fables often end with a moral or lesson. Epics- Long narrative poems about a hero who engages in a dangerous journey.

8. Myths Stories that explain natural occurrences and express beliefs about right and wrong. Also known as, “mythology."

9. Myths Will Perform Some of the Following Functions: Explain natural occurrences. Express beliefs about right and wrong. Show gods or goddesses with human traits. Show human heroes with superhuman traits. Explore universal themes.

10. Don’t Forget These Fiction Structural Patterns! Hero’s Journey- A structural pattern where the archetype known as the hero goes on a journey to help another person or group of people. Hero’s Tasks- A convention in myths and epic tales in which the hero embarks on a journey and must complete a series of tests or challenges along the way. Quests- A structural pattern where the main character goes on a journey to seek a goal. Circle Stories- A structural pattern where the story begins and ends in the same place.