Oral Narratives Checklist, Page 2

Myths

___ Told to explain the beginnings of things
___ Often associated with religious beliefs
___ Characters are believed to be real
___ Take place in pre-historic time

Some myths are:

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Märchen / magic tales / fairy tales

___ Characters are not believed to be true
___ Told to entertain
___ Set in a world of fantasy
___ High adventures and magical acts
___ May open with "Once upon a time. . ."

Some märchen / magic tales / fairy tales are:

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Fables

___ Often involve cleverness
___ Often feature animals
___ Teaches a lesson
___ Has a stated moral
___ Dumbness or ignorance in contrast to stupidity

Some fables / animal tales are:

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Personal Experience Narratives

___ Told in the first person
___ Description of an event that
       happened to the storyteller

___ Reflects the storyteller's
       attitudes, values, and beliefs

___ May open with phrases such
       as "one time. . ." and "I remember. . ."

Some personal experience narratives are:

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Jokes

___ Tightly structured narrative
___ Recognizable beginning,
       "Did you ever hear the one about. . ." and
       There a this man. . ."

___ Told to entertain
___ Emphasis on humor

Some jokes are:

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