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Tall Tale

Tall Tale

Definition:

Humorous narrative folktales about adventures including impossible pioneering feats, which often portray swaggering heroes who do the impossible with nonchalance.

Purposes:

• To tell an entertaining story
• To record an exaggerated version of a real, imaginary heroic or humorous act or series of acts
• To kindle imagination
• To explain natural and social phenomena
• To reveal human nature

Characteristics:

• Narrative elements and structure
• Conveyed in a realistic, matter-of fact and often humorous way
• Exaggerated characteristics of heroes and events using superlatives
• Events and resolutions often incorporate good humor or trickery
• Some are based on real characters
• Some are a stereotypical compilation or idealization of real people or real groups, e.g., lumberjacks, miners, railroad builders, cowboys, etc.
• Reasonably short

Themes:

• Adventures of the North American frontier
• Conveyed in a realistic, matter-of fact and often humorous way

Characters:

• Fictional and “colorful” but based in legend
• Exaggerated personality
• Focus on the pioneer “spirit” in adapting to a harsh environment
• Exaggerated physical traits
• Superhuman feats
• Specific to North American culture

Setting:

• Realistic settings which may have exaggerated qualities
• Settings are integral to the storyline
• Settings are regional, often based on the occupation of the hero/heroine

Plot:

• Invented events with exaggerated incidents designed to demonstrate heroic deeds
• Characterized by extreme exaggeration and superhuman feats in overcoming “historical” challenges
• Characters must adapt to harsh environments (man vs. nature)
• Problems or tussles solved with good humor

Author’s craft:

• Developing narrative elements (plot, complications, climax, rising/falling action)
• Replication of folktale structure
• Effective (direct) dialogue (often written in “dialect”)
• Fictional (heroic) characters
• Storyline based on effective use of research (historical feats)
• Exciting events and fast paced actions
• Metaphor, simile and dialogue used to present descriptions of impossible feats
• Duplicates “pioneer spirit” theme
• Characterized by extreme exaggeration and superhuman feats
• Use of superlatives
• Invented incidents follow planned sequence leading to predictions
• May use realistic events
• Setting manipulation (flashback)
• Humor, exaggeration
• Twists (problems solved with good humor — often including trickery)
• Narration
• Patterned introductory language

Grade Level Instructional Scope for COMPREHENDING the Genre and Text of Tall Tales:

Grade Level Instructional Scope for COMPOSING the Genre and Text of Tall Tales:

Booklists:

• Grade 5
• Grade 6

Access to the Documents:

Complete K-8 Genre Project
From the Michigan Department of Education

Complete K-8 Genre Booklist
From Kent Intermediate School District