Traditional Literature

What makes it traditional literature?

• Passed from generation to generation
• Oral storytelling
• Unknown authors

Subgenres

• Folktale
• Fairy Tale
• Fable
• Legend
• Myth

Folktales

• Ordinary people
• Good vs. Evil
• May have magic
• Things happen in threes

Fairy Tale

• "Once upon a time..."
• Setting is "far away place"
• Magic and the supernatural
• Examples: Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel

Fable

• Talking animals
• Teaches a lesson or truth
• Example: Aesop's Fables (Tortoise and the Hare)

Legend

• Based on history
• Exaggerated tale
• Larger than life characters
• Examples: King Arthur, Pecos Bill, Robin Hood

Myth

• Explains the "whys" of reality (natural world, cultural practices)
• Gods and Goddesses
• Example: Greek Myths, Indian Myths

Story Elements

Characters

Setting

Plot

Theme

Moral

Trickster

Traditional literature helps us build understandings of the world and of others.

They teach us lessons.

They entertain us.

They attempt to answer "why"

They give us heroes.

Pick up a folktale in your library today! :)

Resources Referenced

• Kotek, N. (2011). Traditional literature. Retrieved from http://kotekchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/p/traditional-literature.html
• McMullen, P. (2008) Traditional literature grades 3-5. Retrieved from http://mybrary.wikispaces.com/file/view/Traditional_Literature_Grades_3-5_C...