The Elements

of Fantasy!

Here, you will…

Let’s go!

earn to recognize the elements that

make a story a fantasy

One ingredient of fantasy is

Is the power to control the forces of nature

Other important things you’ll find in fantasy are

Imaginary Creatures: Any animal that does not exist in the real world. Here are

some common examples:

griffinsasquatch

trollfairy

leprechaun unicorn

dragon

Fantasy always features a conflict between

and

and

Characters and situations in fantasy are either good, or they are evil (there is usually no in between). Evil characters are usually plotting to bring the good character(s) down in some way. Look out!

How can you tell the difference?

GoodCharacters

EvilCharacters

Young and innocent

Cute / pretty / handsome

Cheerful; friendly Wear dark colors; in dark places

Angry; mean expressions

Sly; tricky; deceitfulStrong, heroic, and dedicated to doing the right thing

Ugly with exaggerated features

destinyFantasy stories always

have a sense of

is something that is certain to happen. This is sometimes referred to as fate, or something that is meant to be.

Destiny

The characters in fantasy usually go on some type of ques

t

is a journey taken to achieve a specific goal.

It is used in mythology and literature as a plot device. It requires much travel and allows the author to showcase the locations of their fantasy world.

quest

A

Settings in fantasy usually include things from Medieval times. This includes primitive technology,

and is usually European.

Now that you know the elements of fantasy, let’s look at the types

of fantasies

nce upon a time…

Animal Fantasy

• Animal stories were considered an illogical and unholy practice

• Usually spoke good English• Show human emotions• Wear clothes• Human in story has a minor role• Magic only happens when the human

remains innocent or young.• Animals have human qualities• Stories demonstrate the importance

Enchanted Journeys and Alternative Worlds

•In many fantasies the main character goes on a journey very often it is to a fantasy world or an alternative world.

•The Journey motif goes back as far as Homer’s the Odyssey.

•Enchanted journeys normally begin in the regular world and he or she enters the enchanted realm.

•Most of the time the protagonist is on a journey to complete some goal.

Enchanted Journeys and Alternative Worlds Continued• The credibility of these stories are normally

helped with the fact that the fanciful events can only happen the new world not the primary one.

• These plots are usually loose normally stringing together different adventures and one relies on the main character to the touch back into reality.

• Many children enjoy these types of stories because it demonstrates how the weaker characters can dominate and beat the bigger bullies.

Supernatural and Time Shift Fantasy

• These are among the most popular types of Fantasy. These types include ghosts, witches, mysterious or unexplainable occurrences. These also include stories about Time Travel.

• All of these are taking place in our primary world. • Younger children like nicer ghost stories while

older teenagers like scarier ones. The more violent or gruesome, the more they seem to enjoy it.

Science Fiction and Space Fantasy

• These types of fantasy are very close related to the supernatural and time shift fantasies.

• Science Fiction usually focuses on a life in the future on earth or another planet.

• Usually contain stories about Aliens from outer space.

• Many times they dramatize technology to the extent of them dominating human kind.

Toy Fantasy

In the toy story like the animal fantasy the toys:•Come to life in the story•They have human like qualities•They can talk•They live in a home•The humans usually have a small part in the story•These toys wish to become human