They come from all over the world.

  They have no specific author because they are stories that are handed down from storytellers around the world

  Something extraordinary happens to an ordinary character

Folktales are interesting because…

Common Features

• Different Genres have different characteristics.

• Folktales have many common features that help you understand the story.

Folktales usually…

•Have no time frame, but most are thought to have

happened in the past

•Start with Once upon a time, or Long, long ago

•Usually teach a lesson

• The characters in the beginning of the story are usually unsuccessful because they are foolish or unkind.

• The character that lasts until the end of the story is usually smart, and loving, which helps them succeed.

•Folktales may have magic such as wishes being granted or

magic objects within the story.

• Animals, plants, and sometimes even machines have human characteristics.

–Talking, Walking, Singing etc…

•Folktales sometimes have a monster, or evil character that the “HERO” must overcome.

•Characters often use trickery or cleverness to defeat the monster or complete the quest (task).

• In folktales three is the key number. There may be three main characters, three magic objects, three tasks to be completed, or even three different settings in the story.