1. Native American Oral Tradition “The Four Elements” On the final, you will be asked to read a Native American tale and analyze it via MC questions for the four elements. Review this Ppt for the “Four Elements”

2. Storytelling in the Oral Tradition

4. Key ELEMENT - Job#1 An “ORIGIN” story will answer questions such as… Where did I/we come from? Is there a god or goddess, several gods/ goddesses? Are their animal or “Earth” spirits? Also may involve mysterious forces, powers of creation An “ORIGIN” story will answer questions such as… Where did I/we come from? Is there a god or goddess, several gods/ goddesses? Are their animal or “Earth” spirits? Also may involve mysterious forces, powers of creation

6. Key ELEMENT - Job #2  A story like this will give an individual and/or group their identity and reason for existing.  Look for a part of the story which answers this question:  A story like this will give an individual and/or group their identity and reason for existing.  Look for a part of the story which answers this question:

8. Key ELEMENT - Job #3: The story may include an explanation of specific thing/s a group of people believe in… or explain an important “life” philosophy.

10. Key Element – Job #4 #4 Teaches moral behavior and / or a lesson

11. 1. Explains the origins of a people 2. Explains the purpose of an individual or group 3. Explains the religious beliefs and/or philosophies 4. Explains moral behavior expectations and/or teaches a lesson REVIEW: What are the four elements we look for to see if a story meets the criteria of “oral tradition” tales in Native American Literature?

12. Thoughts to ponder…. When people move about, resettle, what do they bring with them? Stories! Verbally first, before written language, to save them. Then, written versions. What may begin to happen to these tales over time. Why?