FOLKTALES CANKAYA UNIVERSITY - OFFICE OF BASIC AND ELECTIVE COURSES- ENGLISH UNIT

FOLKTALES

CANKAYA UNIVERSITY - OFFICE OF BASIC AND ELECTIVE COURSES- ENGLISH UNIT


Folktale(n): A story or legend which is a part of an oral tradition.

Ex: Every culture has its own folktales. Ex: The purpose of many folktales is to teach a lesson

about life.


Character(n): a person in a book, story, movie etc.

Ex: The cartoon characters of Disney are known by everbody.

Ex: The main character in the book leaves his wife and goes to another country.

Ex: Famous characters of Turkish folktales are Nasreddin Hoca and Keloğlan.


Feature( n): one part of something that people often notice because it is important or interesting

Synonyms : characteristic

Ex: One of the common features of folktales is mysterious events.

Ex: An important feature of Van Gogh’s paintings is their bright colors


Generation( n): all the people who are about the same age

Collocations : young/old generation generation gap

Ex: The young generation does not know what a war is. Ex: My grandparents and my children do not

understand each other because of the generation gap.


Magic(n): a special power used for making strange things happen

Word Formation : Magical (adj)

Collocations : do magic

Ex: Do you believe in magic ? Ex: She has magical powers. She can cure people

without using medicine. Ex: Children are not allowed to do magic in stories.


Oral(adj): spoken, not written Word Formation : Orally (adv)

Synonyms : Verbal / spoken Collocations : oral tradition

Ex: In oral traditions, stories are passed from one generation to another without writing the stories.

Ex: Old stories are parts of oral cultures.


Tradition (n): a belief or custom that has existed for a long time

Word Formation : Traditional (adj)

Collocations : by tradition

Ex: By tradition, the oldest child takes the country. Ex: Their marriage traditions are very different from

each other. Ex: In this religious holiday, people wear traditional

clothes. CANKAYA UNIVERSITY - OFFICE OF BASIC AND ELECTIVE COURSES- ENGLISH UNIT

Previewing the Academic Content Many cultures, especially those that do not use writing,

tell stories to explain the world and pass down history and beliefs to the next generation.

People have shared these stories, called folktales, in the oral tradition for hundreds or even thousands of years.

Now the stories can be found in books, stories for children, and movies.


Folktales have many purposes: Some teach lessons about lifeOthers explain mysterious events as being the results of

magic. Some entertain the audience.


A Turkish Folktale by Nasreddin Hodja We are even

One day, Hodja went to Turkish bath but nobody paid him much attention. They gave him an old bath robe and a towel. Hodja said nothing and on his way out he left a big tip. A week later, when he went back to the same bath, he was very well received. Everybody tried to help him and offered him extra services. On his way out, he left a very small tip."But, Hodja," they said,"Is it fair to leave such a small tip for all the attention and extra services you received?"Mullah Nasreddin answered,"Today's tip is for last week's services and last week's tip was for today's services. Now we are even."


1. Read and listen to an example of a short folktale ,How Raven Gave Light,on page 60. It is a popular folktale in Alaska and Pacific Northwest area of United States.

1. It is about time when people lived in darkness, and it explains how a bird named Raven gave people light.

Work with a partner and complete the chart with information about the story.


When does the story happen ? a long time ago

Where does it happen?

Who are the main characters?

What is the problem?

How is the problem solved?

When does the story happen ? a long time ago

Where does it happen? in a dark world

Who are the main characters? Raven, the chief

What is the problem? The chief wouldn’t share light with the people.

How is the problem solved? Raven used magic to make the chief give him the ball of light. Then he shared the light with the people.

3. Discuss the questions in small groups.

1. Have you ever heard this folktale before ? If so was that story similar to one you have just read or different ? Why ?

2. What other folktales have you heard ?

3. What kinds of stories did you hear as a child ? Have you ever seen one of these stories written down or in a movie ? If so, was the written story different from the one you heard ?


Previewing the Academic Skills Focus SummarizingA summary briefly gives the main information of a longer

written or spoken text in your own words. A good summary: Includes the main points of the text answers important questions about the text such as Who?,

What ?, When ?, Where?, Why ?, and How?A good summary does not :

include unimportant detailsGive your opinion

Summarizing what you read and hear in class can help you to review and understand the main ideas.


1. Read the summaries of How Raven Gave Light on page 62.

2. Check the correct columns to complete the chart. Which summary do you think is better ?


Which summary . . .? Summary 1

Summary 2

includes the main points of the text ✓

answers the question When does the story happen? ✓

answers the question Where does the story happen? ✓ ✓

answers the question Who are the main characters? ✓ ✓

answers the question What is the problem? ✓ ✓

answers the question How is the problem solved? ✓

includes unimportant details ✓

includes the writer’s opinion ✓

KEY WORDS


Extraordinary(adj): very unusual, special or surprising

Antonym : Ordinary

Ex: He told us extraordinary stories with monsters and interesting creatures.

Ex: Folktales include extraordinary events like magics and talking animals.


Role(n): a position or a job that someone has in a group

Collocations : role in have/ play a role

Ex: His role in this new movie is a poor man who has an ill daughter.

Ex: Folktales play an important role in passing the culture from generation to generation.


Task(n): a job or piece of work

Synonyms : job/ work Collocations : to complete a task

Ex: In many stories, there are tasks that characters need to complete to save people.

Ex: In the folktale story, Raven had the task to give people light.


Characteristic(n): a typical quality or feature of something or someone

Synonyms : feature

Ex: The story shows the common characteristics of this culture’s folktales.


Setting (n): the place where something is or happens

Synonyms : place

Ex: The setting of the story is a village in a forest.


Write down(phr.v.): to take note

Ex: Because most of the folktales have not been written down, there are some differences between the same stories.


Generous(adj .): giving other people a lot of money, time or presents in a kind way

Antonym : mean

Ex: One of her characteristics is that she is very generous to the kids and poors.

Ex: In the story, there is a poor man who is very generous and help people who needs money.


Before You Listen Circle the elements that you think make a good story (page 63).

Discuss your answers and give examples from stories you like.

Characters that seem real humor simple story

clever characters interesting setting surprises

Complex story lots of action magic

Teaches a lesson fight between good and bad

Happy ending romance others:…………


Global Listening Recognizing Summary StatementsA summary statement is one sentence that brings

together the most important ideas from a paragraph or a longer text.

Summary statements are most often located in the conclusion of a paragraph, lecture or a text.

In a longer text or lecture, each section or paragraph may have a summary statement.


Some summary expressions:In conclusion,…..To conclude,…….In summary,………To sum up,…..

1. Listen to the lecture. Pay attention to summary statements to help you identify the main ideas. Take notes on the main ideas in your notebook.


2. Check the three main ideas in the lecture on page 63. Use your notes to help you.

___ Storytellers from different cultures make changes to folktales. ___ Folktales were not written down, so they changed over time. ___ Animal characters in folktales have human-like qualities such

as the ability to talk. ___ Folktale characters are often simple. ___ The plot of the story starts with a problem. ___ The plot of the story is interesting.

3. Listen to the summary statement of entire lecture to check your answers to exercise 2. Circle the expression you hear on page 64. b. In summary


✓

✓

✓

Focused Listening 1. Listen to the lecture again. Complete the outline using

the words from the box. 1. characteristics2. traditions3. extraordinary 4. clever5. human6. magic7. task8. plot


Distinguishing Major from Minor PointsMajor points are main ideas and important details that are

necessary for understanding.A good summary includes only the major points. Minor points add interest or extra information , such as

examples, but they are not essential for understanding.Minor points are not included in a summary .To find major points ask:

Is this information important to understand the text or lecture?

Does this information give the main idea ?Is this an important detail for understanding the main idea ?


To recognize minor points, ask :If I take out this detail, can I still understand the text and

main idea ?Is this a small detail ? Does it only give extra information?

2.Review the outline in exercise 1 on page 64. Put a * next to the major points- main ideas and important details. Put an X next to unimportant, minor details.


Major points: Common characteristics of folktales; Oral tradition = stories changed based on storyteller’s place and

storyteller’s traditions and culture;Similar characters; ordinary characters do extraordinary things; have one or two strong characteristics; animals with human qualities; exciting plot; happens “a long time ago”; begins quickly with a problem; oral tradition; similar characters;strong plot

Remaining items are minor points. CANKAYA UNIVERSITY - OFFICE OF BASIC AND ELECTIVE COURSES- ENGLISH UNIT

3. Work with a partner. Follow the steps and summarize the lecture. 1. Review the skills box on page 61. 2. Make a list of the major points of the lecture. Leave out minor points.3. Take turns summarizing the lecture. Use these expressons: The lecture was about …..The first/second/last point….An important example of this …..


4. Think of a folktale you know. Use the questions listed to help you organize information. Then tell your folktale to a partner. What is the name of your folktale?

When and where does the story happen ?

Who are the main characters ?

What is the problem and how is it solved ?



Obtain(v): to get something

Synonyms : Get

Ex: You can obtain further information from the office. Ex: Clever people always obtain the things they want.


Scheme(n): a plan expecially to do something that is not honest

Collocations : in scheme have a scheme

Ex: The character has a secret scheme to kill the people.

Ex: In his scheme, my duty is to watch the door.


Trick(v): to make someone believe something that is not true to get something from him/her

Word Formation : Trickster (n)

Collocations : Trick somebody into doing something Trick somebody out of doing

something

Ex: They tricked the woman into buying the carEx: The man tricked the child out of calling the police.


Before You Read1. Do you know folktales with a clever character ? Read the

paragraph that describes one type of folktale character, the trickster. Underline the keywords from the box. (Page 67)

2. Work in small groups. Look at the pictures that illustrate the events in the folktale you will read (Page 68). Make predictions about the tale by answering the questions.


1. Who are people in this folktale? 1. a spider; a god

2. What do you think is the problem in this story ? 1. a god hid stories from people in a box

3. How do you predict the problem will be solved ? 1. the spider will use tricks to get the stories back


Global Reading


Time long time ago

Place Sky, ground

Characters Nyame, Anansi, Aso

Problem People had no stories because Nyame hid them all in the sky.

Main events of plot Nyame told Anansi he could have the stories if he broughtthree things: a snake, a leopard, and bees. With Aso’shelp, Anansi used schemes to catch the animals. Hebrought them to Nyame. Nyame gave the stories, andAnansi shared them with everyone.

How problem is solved Anansi used tricks to complete the tasks and bring thestories back to the people.

1. Read the West African Folktale “How Anansi Gave People Stories”. Complete the chart on page 69.

2. Work with a partner. Circle the main idea of the story.

a. Anansi get stories from Nyame by completing difficult tasks.b. Anansi catches a snake, bees, and a leopard.c. Nyame gives Anansi a difficult task but his wife helps him complete.


Using Time-Order Words

In a story , writers and speakers use time-order words and phrases to show when things happen. Some of time-order words and phrases are :First of all/ second / thirdNext / the next day/ Later that dayAfter/ After that/ Soon AfterAgain Later Finally


3. Scan How Anansi Gave People Stories and circle time order words.

Paragraph 2: one day;Paragraph 3: Then; First; Then; Paragraph 4: Then; Paragraph 5: Later that day; First; After that; Then; Paragraph 6: Immediately; Then; Paragraph 7: First; The next day; Paragraph 8: The next day; Then; Paragraph 9: Finally; Paragraph 10: First; Next; Finally


4. Number the events to put them in the correct order.a. 5, b. 1, c. 3, d. 4, e. 6, f. 2


Focused Reading1. Read the tale on Pages 69-70 again. Then complete

each sentence with Who, What, When, Where, or How. Finally, circle the correct answers.

1. Why; b2. Why; b3. Who; a4. What; b5. How; c6. Where; a7. When; c


ParaphrasingParaphrasing is stating someone else’s ideas in your own

words.

A summary gives main ideas of a text in fewer words, a paraphrase usually restates a small part of a text such as a quotation or sentence.

When you paraphrase: Do not change the speaker’s or writer’s meaningUse your own words


There are a few techniques you can use to help you paraphrase:Use synonyms for the key words in a sentence.

Feature: characteristicChange the form of the key words in a sentence.

Happy – Happiness , beauty– beautifulChange the organization of the clauses in the sentence

Example Sentence:Nyame hid all of the stories in the sky , so nobody could tell

them.


Paraphrases:Nyame did not like anyone on Earth, so he kept the stories

in the sky. Not good because it changes meaning

Nyame kept all of the stories in the sky so no one could tell them. Not good because it does not use the person’s own words; is an

almost exact copy of the original sentence.To stop people from telling stories, Nyame kept them

hidden in the sky. Good because it uses the writer’s own words and does not

change the meaning It uses synonyms and changes the form of some key words and

the organization of the clauses.


2. Read the paraphrases of some of the sentences in the tale on pages 69-70. Find the original sentence in the tale and write them on the lines.

2. I’ll do anything if you give us the stories.3. Bring me three things: a snake, a leopard, and bees. Then I will give you the stories.4. Anansi answered, “I’m sorry, Snake. You are not the longest thing anymore. This stick is longer than you are.”5. Anansi used his web to quickly tie him up. He took Leopard to Nyame.

3. Read each sentence from the tale and its paragraph. Complete the chart. Check whether the paraphrase changes the meaning, uses the same words, or is a good paraphrase.



ChangesMeaning

Uses the same words

Is a good Paraphrase

Sentence 1: He (Anansi) asked his wife, “How will I ever get the second thing, a leopar”Paraphrase: Anansi wondered how to get a leopard.

✔

Sentence 2 : The next day, Anansi went back to the hole- and Leopard had fallen inside!Paraphrase: One day later, Anansi went back to the hole- and Leopard had fallen inside

✔

Sentence 3: He (Anansi) quickly threw water on the tree and on himselfParaphrase: Anansi threw water on the tree and on himself quickly.

✔

Sentence 4: With a big smile, Anansi used his web to close the gours, so the bees could not leaveParaphrase 4: Anansi happily closed the gourd with his web. Therefore the bees could not leave.

✔

Sentence 5: First he (Anansi) told the stories to his wife, Aso.Paraphrase 5: Anansi loved his wife most, so told her the stories first.

✔

4. Paraphrase the sentences from How Raven Gave Light on page 60. 1. Raven noticed that people lived in darkness because of an old, self-centered chief, who kept the great ball of light hidden from them.2. Raven made a decision to bring light to people because he believed that they should not live in darkness.3. The baby turned back into Raven immediately after he got the light.


SPEAKING


Before You Speak Preparing Narrative SummariesA narrative summary retells the events in a story. It quickly

introduces the characters and main problem. It explains the plot in correct time order.A narrative summary may conclude with a summary statement

retelling the problem and its solution. 1. Read and listen to the narrative summary of a Dutch Folktale, The

Tree with the Golden Apples. (Page 75)2. Identify the parts of a narrative summary. Look for :

The introduction of characters and the problem The plot The solution of the problemTime-order words


Focused Speaking Giving a Narrative Summary Follow the guidelines when preparing a written or spoken

summary: First make sure you understand the text wellInclude only the major points or events necessary for

understandingUse your own words without changing the original meaningUse transition words for cohesionUse time order words to help the listeners follow the

summary Do not include your own ideas or opinions


When giving a narrative summary, you can use certain expressions to help your reader.

To introduce the story, characters, and problem. The title of the story/ folktale is….It is from….It is about….

To describe the plot:The story goes..In this story,…

To conclude your presentation:Finally,…And that is how….


1. In your notebook, write a summary of How Anansi Gave People Stories. Follow the guideline in the skill box on page 76.

How Anansi Gave People Stories is a folktale from West Africa. In this story, Nyame, a god, keeps stories hidden from the people. Because they have no stories to tell, everyone is sad. An old spider named Anansi decides to get the stories back from Nyame. He climbs to the sky and tells Nyame he will do anything to get the stories back. Nyame tells Anansi he has to exchange a snake, a leopard, and bees for the stories. With help from his wife, Aso, Anansi uses clever tricks to complete the task. First, he tricks the snake and ties him to a stick. After that, he catches a leopard in a hole in the ground. Finally, he tricks the bees to fly into a gourd. After Anansi completes the task, Nyame gives him back the stories. Anansi brings the stories back to Earth, and tells them to everyone.

2. Work with a partner. Exchange your summaries and follow the steps.Underline the title of the original storyCheck the main events of the plotNote any major points that are missingMake an X next to any unimportant details or opinionsCircle the transition words Note any paraphrase of statements from the text, or places

where your partner should paraphrase.

3. Give each other feedback. Tell one thing you like and make suggestions about things that your partner could do better.

4. Work with a new partner. Give oral summaries of How Anansi Gave People Stories .


Integrated Speaking Task You have read about the common elements of folktales,

read and heard several folktales, and read and heard a model narrative summary.

Now it is your turn to prepare a narrative summary and present it.

Follow the steps on page 77 & 78 and prepare a presentation of a narrative summary of a folktale you know.



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FOLKTALES CANKAYA UNIVERSITY - OFFICE OF BASIC AND ELECTIVE COURSES- ENGLISH UNIT