Writing Tall Tales

Writing Tall TalesBigger, Stronger, Faster

A Tall Tale has:A larger-than-life, or superhuman, main character with a specific job.A problem that is solved in a funny or outrageous way.Exaggerated details that describe things as greater than they really are.

Writing a Tall Tale is all about:

Character!Big! Strong! Fast!

Exaggeration!As tall as a skyscraper

Word Choice!

Who is this?Faster than a speeding bullet…More powerful than a locomotive…Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound…Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s _________________

Try it! Finish the phrase:

As tall as _____________

Try it! Finish the phrase:

Stronger than _____________

Try it! Finish the phrase:

As fast as ________________

Try it! Finish the phrase:

Her feet were like ______________________

Try it! Finish the phrase:

His voice was so loud, ________________________

Try it! Finish the phrase:

The wind was blowing so hard, _________________________

Try it! Finish the phrase:

She had a pet _________________________

Example: Teacher LadyApple-red lips large enough to wrap around a barrel of morning coffee

Voice as loud as hurricane winds

Can lift a child out of his seat with the power of her stare

Now you are ready to write your own Tall Tale

Exaggerated character

Unbelievable action

Interesting words