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Guidelines for writing Poems, Stories and Tales

What defines a Fairy Tale versus typical Fantasy?

Asked by: Crystal Washington

A fantasy has a focus on the development of a different world and system of magic, while a fairy tale simply assumes that magic exists and is set in our world or a facsimile equivalent to it. A fairy tale will is likely to have some sort of a moral to it, even if it’s not explicitly stated.

What differentiates a fairy tale from a normal story?

While a folk tale derives its story from real-life phenomena, fairytales are made up. Simply put, a folk tale is a story with a basis in events that are true-to-life, while fairytales are works of fiction. Both fairytales and folk tales are instructive; they leave the reader or listener with a few lessons.

Is Harry Potter a fantasy or fairy tale?

Harry Potter is too long to be considered a fairy tale. It is classified within the fantasy genre of children’s literature, but it does contain many… See full answer below.

What are the 6 defining characteristics of a fairy tale?

It can further be characterized by looking at the story elements (characters, plot, setting, theme, style, tone, and point of view) with quality characteristics and how they are combined to tell a story.

What defines the fairy tale genre?

Definitions. A fairytale is a Genre of magical story, usually originating in folklore. Typically in European fairy tales, a poor, brave, and resourceful hero or heroine goes through testing adventures to eventual good fortune. (fairy tale.

What makes a story not a fairy tale?

The most reliable indicator is the presence of a simple lesson. Short stories are rarely bluntly didactic; their themes tend to be subtler and more complex than those of fairy tales. Furthermore, a fairy tale’s instruction, such as a warning not to speak to strangers, is only wise when applied to children.

What are the 5 elements of a fairy tale?

Fairy Tales

  • THE MORAL LESSON.
  • CHARACTERS.
  • MAGIC.
  • OBSTACLES OR TASKS.
  • HAPPILY EVER AFTER…

Is Cinderella fantasy or fairy tale?

Cinderella is a fairy tale that is hundreds of years old, but Walt Disney’s 1950 animated Cinderella is the version that comes to mind when many think of the tale today.

Is Alice in Wonderland a fairytale?

In a broader view, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland or also known as Alice in the Wonderland books are fairy tales. They use fairies and present adventure and fantasy to the child readers. Lewis Carroll also called it a fairy tale.

Is Shrek a fairytale?

The novel ‘Shrek’ is a modern fairytale that’s suitable for every age bracket. Based on some fairy tale elements, we have studied this film. This book features seven characters, the prince, princess, the noble steed, and a dark figure in the form of the villain.

What are three characteristics of a fairy tale?

But there are some common characteristics of fairy tales shared to a certain extent:



  • Set in the past.
  • Use some form or variation of “Once upon a time”
  • Fantasy or make-believe elements.
  • Enchanted setting – can include forests, castles, water or kingdoms.
  • Clearly defined good and evil characters.
  • Magical elements.

What are the main characteristics of a fairy tale?

Include fantasy, supernatural or make-believe aspects. Typically incorporate clearly defined good characters and evil characters. Involves magic elements, which may be magical people, animals, or objects.

How can you tell a story is a fairy tale?

A fairy tale is a magical story for children, like “Cinderella” or “Rumpelstiltskin.” If you read a story that begins, “Once upon a time,” chances are it’s a fairy tale. A story doesn’t have to include any fairies at all to be considered a fairy tale.

What are the different types of fairy tales?

Folk Tales and Fables are types of Fairy Tales. A Folk Tale is a traditional story shared by a culture, passed on from one generation to the next. A Fable offers a moral lesson, usually involving animals and primarily geared towards children, such as Aesop’s Fables.

What is a modern fairy tale?

Traditionally, fairy tales started out as folk tales passed on orally, before literary tales started to be written down in books. Nowadays, fairy tales can take the form of films, picture books, audio books, series, interactive exhibitions, comics or computer games.

Why is it called a fairy tale?

The English term “fairy tale” stems from the fact that the French contes often included fairies. Roots of the genre come from different oral stories passed down in European cultures.



Is frozen a fairy tale?

Frozen is a movie that is based on a fairy tale. Specifically, it is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale The Snow Queen.

Is the Three Little Pigs a fairy tale?

The “Three Little Pigs” is a fable/fairy tale featuring anthropomorphic pigs who build three houses of different materials. A Big Bad Wolf blows down the first two pigs’ houses, made of straw and sticks respectively, but is unable to destroy the third pig’s house, made of bricks.

Is Goldilocks a fairy tale or fable?

“Goldilocks and the Three Bears” (originally titled “The Story of the Three Bears”) is a 19th-century British fairy tale of which three versions exist. The original version of the tale tells of a not-so-polite old woman who enters the forest home of three bachelor bears while they are away.

What’s the difference between a fairy tale and a fable?

Fables are stories that are passed down, with a good lesson to be learned, and are about animals, plants, or forces of nature that are humanlike. Fairy tales are stories that are specifically for kids, involve magical characters, have good and evil characters, and generally start with “once upon a time.”