1. Oral Tradition/ FolkLore

2. Oral Tradition/Folklore
A story originally composed orally, then passed person to person by word of mouth.
Many were published as printed literature, and rewritten in a variety of forms.
They reflect the culture, environment, knowledge, wisdom, social practices and beliefs of the people who first told them.
Includes fables, myths, tall tales and legends, and traditional fairy tales

3. Folklore

4. Fables Teaches a moral or lesson Animals are usually characters
See Aesop’s fables
Animals are usually characters
They succeed or fail in response to their ability to be quick-witted.

5. Fairy Tale
A fanciful story written for, or told to, children.
Usually contains at least one supernatural element (magic, dragons, elves, ghosts, hobgoblins, witches, etc.).
Most fairy tales are based on the traditional folklore of a specific culture.

6. Legends/Tall Tales Usually refer to individual characters
Tells the story of a hero
(legends) based on truth, these have often been embellished over time
Such as Johnny Appleseed or Daniel Boone

7. Myths Explains the origins of: Teaches a lesson or spiritual truth
Human and superhuman characteristics (such as Greek gods)
Natural or supernatural phenomena
Teaches a lesson or spiritual truth

8. Common Themes in Folklore
youngest/smallest sibling is successful/others fail
wishes granted
magic objects are standard props
animals talk
monsters appear
use of trickery
number 3 significant 4 in Native American
a poor person becomes rich