Folklore Basics
Stories passed down by word of mouth are part of this.
What is oral tradition?
A short story with animals that teaches a lesson.
What is a fable?
This character is the main person who faces challenges.
What is the hero?
Folklore is usually shared this way.
What is spoken (oral storytelling)?
A story about a rabbit tricking other animals is this type.
What is a trickster tale?
The beliefs and ideas that are important to a group of people.
What are cultural values?
A story that explains nature or includes gods.
What is a myth?
This character causes problems for the hero.
What is the villain?
Modern fiction usually has this, but folklore does not.
What is a known author?
A story explaining why the moon changes shape is this type.
What is a myth?
The lesson or message a story teaches.
What is the moral (or lesson)?
A story about a possibly real person that has been exaggerated.
What is a legend?
This character gives advice or helps the hero.
What is a helper (or mentor)?
Folklore reflects this, while modern fiction reflects personal ideas.
What is culture?
A story about a brave warrior based on a real person is this type.
What is a legend?
A setting that is not tied to a specific time or place.
What is a timeless setting?
A story with magic and a clear good vs. evil ending.
What is a fairy tale?
This character is clever and uses tricks to win.
What is the trickster?
Folklore often has many versions, but modern fiction usually has this.
What is one fixed version?
A story where magic helps a character succeed is this type.
What is a fairy tale?
Why are folktales told over and over again?
To teach lessons and help people remember important ideas.
A story where a clever character tricks others.
What is a trickster tale?
This character is often underestimated but succeeds in the end.
What is the underdog (or outsider)?
Why do people still use folklore ideas in movies and books today?
Because they are familiar and teach important lessons
A story where animals teach honesty is this type.
What is a fable?