The following brainstorming methods will help me expand my ideas for my midterm paper.

Listing and
Cornell Method of brainstorming

Listing method

Folktales are stories that are passed from one generation to another within a culture, they include
supernatural elements to teach moral lessons and explain natural phenomena. How are folktales used
to teach and explain within these cultures?

Folktales are often related to violent themes which people believe affect the social and emotional
development of children. How do the tales affect children?

Violent themes in folktales serve the purpose of helping children develop their understanding of the
world and wisdom on how to navigate challenging situations.

Cautionary folktales have been used in various cultures worldwide to alert children to a specific hazards.
Explain more about the effectiveness of these tales.

Cornell method

Title: The role of fear and violence in folktales

Main points

Folktales are traditional stories passed down to the next generation through the traditional oral method.

In each culture, folktales reflect the beliefs, customs and values of that particular group

Folktales have been used to teach children about safety, hard work, honesty and warn them against
risky circumstances.

Fear and violent themes in the tales help children develop an understanding of how to navigate through
challenging situations.

Important details:

The tales feature supernatural or mythical elements.

They provide insight into the traditions, history and worldview of society and are a source of
entertainment.

Fear and violence themes are effective in educating and creating a safer society.
Folktales teach children to be cautious.

Step 2: Questions

How do folktales vary from one culture to another?

What are some examples of folktales that warn children against specific hazards?

What is the purpose of including fear and violence in folktales?

Are there any negative effects of exposing children to violent content in folktales?

How does fear play a role in shaping psychological and sociological structures in children?

Step 3: Summary

Folktales are traditional stories passed down to the next generation orally, the stories vary from
one culture to another. The tales reflect on the beliefs, customs and values of a particular group. The
tales are used to teach children about safety, hard work, perseverance and warn them against risky
circumstances. Fear and violent themes help children develop an understanding of how to navigate
challenging situations. Arguments that folktales cause violence and extreme fear in children lack good
empirical evidence.