Folklore

Also known as traditional literature, the folklore genre has

several different subgenres.

Folklore or
Traditional Literature

Legends Folktales

Fairy
Fables Myths Tales

Tall
Pourquoi
Tales
Tales

©Tobin, Mar. 2017

 Folktale
• A fictional story.
• Specific to a country or culture.
• Reflects the customs and
beliefs of the country.
• Teaches a universal theme
or moral.

Fable
• A fictional story
• Teaches a moral or a lesson.
• Usually short, with a problem
and a solution.
• Animals as the
characters.
©Tobin, Mar. 2017
 Myth
•A fictional story from ancient civilization.
•Gods and goddesses can be characters.
•Teaches a lesson.
•Usually includes magic.
•Tries to explain why something is
the way it is.

Legend
•A fictional story.
•About a historical person.
•Passed down through generations
and told by word of mouth.
•Involves heroes.
 Tall Tale
•A fictional story
•A type of folk tale.
•People and events are exaggerated.
•Usually included humor or
unbelievable stories.

Pourquoi Tales
•French word for “why”.
•Explains how things came to be.
•Happened long ago.
•Describes a plant, animal, or
natural occurrence.

©Tobin, Mar. 2017

 Summarize
To summarize a story, you need to tell about
the most important parts.
SOMEBODY
S Who is the main
character?
WANTED
W What did the main
character want?
BUT
B What was the
problem?

S SO
How did the main character
solve the problem?

T THEN
What was the resolution to
the story?

Should be clear and concise.

©Tobin, Mar. 2017
 Theme
<Messages Author Contact

The author will tell you a story.

Will give you information about

the characters.

Will tell you what the problem

is.

Will even show you how the

main character solves the
problem. You have to
infer the

But the theme is like those three

dots that never come through.
by figuring out
You will have to INFER or figure
out what message the author is
what message
try to send. the author is
trying to send
you!
*Lesson or truth about life *Usually implied, not stated*

*Debatable opinion *Can often be applied to other stories*

*Universal: Applies to most people around the world*
©Tobin, Mar. 2017
Universal Themes
*Universal means that
these lessons are valued
all around the world!
Some common themes found in
stories around the world are:
Always be kind.
(Kindness)
Be true to who
you are. (Courage)
Honesty is the best
policy. (Honesty)
Hard work pays
off. (Hard work)
We can learn from our
mistakes. (Achievement)
Accept others for who
they are. (Acceptance)
Never give up!
©Tobin, Mar. 2017
(Perseverance)