Storytelling Terms

A highly imaginative narrative based on rare powers or magic

• fairy tale

• folklore

• myth

• folk tale

Tales, beliefs, customs, and traditions that were passed down orally from one generation to another

• fairy tale

• folklore

• myth

• folk tale

A story of anonymous origin passed down orally from generation to generation (stresses the virtues of common people)

• fairy tale

• folklore

• myth

• folk tale

A traditional story dealing with gods or supernatural being

• fairy tale

• folklore

• myth

• folk tale

A person who tells stories or tales

• storytelling

• storyteller

• story

The art of sharing stories with an audience

• storytelling

• storyteller

• story

The narration of an event or series of events brought to life for listeners by a storyteller

• storytelling

• storyteller

• story

A story told through music and song, usually concerned with romance or adventure

• legend

• ballad

• parable

• fable

A story using animal characters to point out or teach a lesson

• legend

• ballad

• parable

• fable

A popular story passed down from generation to generation and originally based on an actual person or historical fact

• legend

• ballad

• parable

• fable