1. Native American Folklore
English III

2. What is Native American Folklore?
Rich in myths and legends
Explains natural phenomena and the relationship between humans and the spirit world.
Native American cultures are numerous and diverse so many cultures are quite different from one another

3. What are they Primarily About?
Most common myths are creation myths, that tell a story to explain how the earth was formed, and where humans and other beings came from.
Others may include explanations about the sun, moon, constellations, specific animals, seasons, and weather.
Hero Stories: are stories of people who lived at one time, and who were immortalized and remembered through these tales.
Trickster Stories: are about the different trickster figures of the tribes who are spirits that may be either helpful or dangerous, depending on the situation.
Warnings: warn against doing something that may harm in some way. Many of these tales have morals or some form of belief that is being taught.

4. Characteristics of a Folktale
Setting:
Most folktale settings remove the tale from the real world, taking us to a time and place where animals talk, witches and wizards roam, and magic spells are commonplace.
The settings are usually unimportant and described and referred to in vague terms
Some settings reflect the typical landscape of the tale’s culture

5. Characteristics Cont. Character
The characters in folk literature are usually flat, simple, and straightforward.
Motivation in folktale characters tends to be singular
The characters are usually stereotypical
The hero or heroine is often isolated and is usually cast out

6. Characteristics Cont. Plot
Plots are generally shorter and simpler than in other genres of literature.
The action tends to be formulaic. A journey is common
The action is concentrated, no lengthy explanations and descriptions. Conflicts are quickly established and events move swiftly to their conclusion.

7. Characteristics Cont. Theme & Conflict:
Themes in folk literature are usually quite simple, but serious and powerful. Folktale themes espouse the virtues of compassion, generosity, and humility over the vices of greed, selfishness, and excessive pride.
These themes are at the very heart of growing up. Also, they are similar to the themes of Greek tragedy: Wisdom comes through suffering

8. Characteristics Cont. Style Minimal amount of description
Repetitious phrasing
Folktales often use a technique – stylized intensification, which occurs when, with each repetition, an element is further exaggerated or intensified. This has the effect of increasing the drama.
Some folktales have powerful visual images
Many folktale motifs (i.e., recurring thematic elements) are examples of magic:  helpful animals, enchanted transformations, granted wishes, etc
Folktales often lift their heroes and heroines to higher and more refined levels

9. What is Paraphrasing? Avoid Plagiarism
Method
How to Use
When to Use
Paraphrase
Restate an author’s idea in your own words
To convey the author’s meaning in a way your audience is likely to understand
Summarize
Provide an overview of the author’s main ideas in your own words
To briefly explain an author’s ideas using fewer words
Quote Directly
Include the author’s exact words inside quotation marks
To maintain accuracy of the author’s ideas
To use an author’s memorable language
To support an idea with the author’s authority