1. Folktale Genres
Foldable Lesson 24

2. Folktale
A story set in the past that has been passed down from generation to generation.

3. Fairytale
A folktale that takes place in a magical land ruled by royalty; the characters are either good or evil and almost always has a happy ending.

4. Tall Tale
A folktale with unbelievable exaggerations told as if it were true and meant to be humorous.

5. Fable
A very short folktale where the characters are usually personified animals that teaches a moral or lesson

6. Legend
A folktale that usually has some connection to a real historical person or event, combining factual and fictional events with exaggerations that are not meant to be humorous

7. Myth
A folktale that explains something about the world such as frightening or mysterious natural forces or how something came to be.

8. Folktale Vocabulary

9. Motif: a main element, idea, or feature to be elaborated on (added to) or developed

10. Traditional: Handed down, customary to a people

11. Climax: the turning point of the story

12. Hyperbole: an exaggeration not meant to be taken literally.
Ex: Tale as old at time

13. Fairy Tales Include good and evil characters Has Magic
Often begins with “Once upon a time” or “There once was...”
Conflicts are resolved through kindness, courage or intelligence
Examples: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin

14. Universal Theme
Theme is the central idea or lesson that a story is trying to teach.
Universal Theme is a theme that is common in many stories and is understood by many people of all ages and cultures around the world.