HOW TO WRITE A FABLE

Fables…

… a story that teaches a lesson

…characters are animals

…animals talk

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Fable ElementsMany things to think about before writing a fable

• Moral – a lesson• Animals• Animals’ names• Setting• Introducing the animals/characters• Dialogue between characters• Sequencing events of the story• Conclusion of story / moral

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Moral a life long lesson

Life-long lesson

Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

Cheaters never win.

Don’t judge a book by its cover.

Good lessons – but not considered a life-long

lesson-Not a Moral

Pick up trash on the road.

Brush your teeth three times a day.

Don’t hit your brother or sister.

Write down a few morals you think you can use. ***

Choose your animals (2)

• Animals should “go with the moral”

• Often a “good guy/bad guy relationship”

• Often they are “natural enemies”

• Personification: animals take on human characteristics

Good Guy/Bad GuyMouse/Snake

Natural EnemiesCat/Dog

Bad: snake/shark/bear/lion/rat

Good: bunny/mouse/kitten/cow

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Setting…Where/ When story takes

place SETTING

SEASON TIME PLACE

SUMMER / WINTERSPRING / AUTUMN

DAYNIGHT

DUSK / DAWN NOON / MIDNIGHT

OCEANSCHOOLDESERTFOREST

Names of Animals

Names should suit the moral/story/setting

Slither, the snake – desertSly Fox – forest

Messy Mouse – barnGoldie Fish - ocean/pond

Hairy Bear - caveFluffy Bunny - hole in ground

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Writing the Story• Beginning

Setting• Middle

Introduce CharactersProblemEvents

• EndConclusionMoral

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Remember Fable Elements

There are many things to think about before writing a fable• Moral – teaches a life-long lesson

• Animals• Animals’ names• Setting• Introducing the animals/characters• Dialogue between characters• Sequencing events of the story• Conclusion of story / moral

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