Favorite Folktales from Around the World Papers & Assignment Topics

Essay Topics/Writing Assignments

These 20 essay questions can be used as essay questions on a test, or as stand-alone essay topics for a take-home or in-class writing assignment. Students should have a full understanding of the text in order to answer these questions. They ask for a thorough analysis of the text.

1. What is the history of folktales and the oral tradition? Describe why folktales from different countries are sometimes similar. Provide examples from this book.

2. Define protagonist and provide a thorough character analysis of a protagonist of your choosing from Yolen's book.

3. Choose a complex character interaction in Yolen's collection of folktales. Analyze the relationship between the two characters. Also discuss how the relationship enhances the plot.

4. How does the setting affect the plot of a folktale? Choose one folktale and discuss its setting and how the setting relates to the...
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