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T raditional Literature Traditional Literature is stories that were passed down orally through history. They include folktales, fairy tales, myths, legends, fables, epics, ballads, folk rhymes, etc.


 * Here are some characteristics of traditional literature.**

**Variations** Traditional Literature is passed down orally, and each generation tells it a little differently. When people started to write it down, each person's telling is different. That's why there are a lot of variations of the same story.

**Point of View** Traditional Literature is almost always told in third person, which is the view of an outsider looking into the action.

**Types** There is mainly two types of traditional literature- folklore and religious literature. Part of folklore are folktales, which include fairy tales, animal tales, and some other types of stories that you can see in this chart here.

//Courtesy of Jennifer Stanbro, Teacher resource: What is Traditional Literature//

I will give a brief description of the types of traditional literature. **Religious/ Cultural Literature**

**Myths**

Setting Character Plot Theme Style
 * Time is the ancient past
 * Place is the region where the myth started
 * Characters are humans and gods
 * Characters are recognized by their actions
 * Gods have superpowers but are similar to humans
 * Plot mostly moves through action
 * Myths tend to explain nature
 * A collection of myths is called a mythology
 * Myths are told as if they are true

**Legends/Epics** Setting Character Plot Theme Style
 * Time is a specific historical past
 * Place is also more specific
 * The main character is a real person who has probably actually lived in the time and place
 * Other characters may be gods or humans
 * Could be one tale or a series of tales
 * Actions are exaggerated
 * Events follow a logical sequence
 * The human strengths desired at the time ex.honor or strength
 * Legends, like myths, are told like they were true

**Folklore**

**Fables** Setting Character Plot Theme Style
 * Time and place is vague
 * Characters are animals and sometimes objects
 * Characters are flat and stand for one human trait
 * Plot is simple with only one incident
 * Good and bad
 * The story teaches a lesson
 * Tries to teach the reader a lesson
 * There is a lot of talking between characters

**Folktales**

Setting Character Plot Theme Style
 * Time is vague ex. Once upon a time, long ago
 * Place is general and vague ex. a castle, a forest, a hut
 * Characters are simple. They usually have one strong trait ex. Evil witch, kind old lady, lazy pig
 * There are usually opposing characters ex. Brave knight vs. evil king, smart child vs. wicked stepmother
 * The story is fast-paced with lots of suspense and excitement
 * The beginning is very short. It introduces the setting, conflict and characters and starts right in with the action
 * The story ends quickly. Good is rewarded and evil is punished
 * Good and evil
 * Tells about human nature
 * Often include rhymes and repetition
 * Sounds like it was told orally rather than written down
 * Includes rich language, lots of imagery

Summary Story is short and has a simple problem Characters are often flat and represent one thing Books are either It is usually light (not serious) and teaches people something (often that good will be rewarded) Usually third person Stories are passed down orally for generations
 * 1) Composed of many different stories
 * 2) A picture book

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