FOLK/FAIRY TALE ASSIGNMENT SPEC 1717 – Spring 2024

1. Choose a fairy tale or folk tale that appeals to you and that you think that you can present successfully in class.  You should let me know what fairy tale you are choosing as soon as possible, as no more than 3 people can work on a single story.  

Due: with Module 3

2. RESEARCH YOUR STORY

1. An older version of the TEXT written pre-1900.  This may be published in a more recent edition, but you are looking for an early version of the story – most likely one by one of the major collectors of folk tales (Perrault, Grimm, Jacobs, etc.)
2. A picture book version of the story
3. A version of the story written AFTER 1970 that is written for an older audience. This can be for an Adult, Young Adult, or Middle-Grade audience.  The point is to look at a book or story that expands the story giving it new detail and scope either be a retelling, adaptation or serve as an inspiration.  
4. A version on film.  This could be a film, animation, youtube, etc. but should tell a version of the story in its entirety. 
5. A visual version.  A single image or series of still images or other visual object based on the story.   We will look at some possibilities collectively.
6. A version meant to be performed.  This might be a ballet, an opera, a musical, a school play, a song, a storyteller’s version.  
7. Another version of your choice.

&

8. Academic article or book chapter

These should help you with the presentation, and you will use them for the written part of the assignment. 

3. PRESENTATION #2 – The Fairy Tale Itself

You should tell us the story however you wish in under five minutes.   

Your performance script can be based on any of the versions you looked at, a combination of them, or something original based on your tale.  Keep in mind the elements that make a good story work that we will discuss in class.  Factors that you want to consider for this  performance include narrative arc, consistent tone, vocal performance, physical performance, character and setting.   This does not have to be memorized, but this is about telling the story, not telling us about the story.  This does not need an introduction – just dive right into your tale. 

Due: With Module 5

4. Feedback to Presentation #2 –  Due with Module 6  

Group A – watch Group B videos

Group B – watch Group C videos

Group C – watch Group A videos

And always feel free to watch others!

5. Create an Annotated Bibliography of your  research (MLA format recommended)

An annotated bibliography is a listing of your sources with critical notes that capture your thinking.  It can be a good way to start work toward a longer paper.  It’s also a really helpful way for capturing your thoughts about a lot of sources that you might someday want to recall. 

For each variation of your story, you should include an annotation that begins to analyze the text in preparation for your paper.  What is interesting about a particular version? What is it trying to do? What seems most important? Why do you think this version was created? Does it speak about a particular kind of issue? Each annotation should be 2-3a substantial paragraphs.   This is more than just a plot summary – your annotations should offer critical engagement with the version you are discussing.   Questions you might consider asking (but are by no means limited to, these are just to get you started thinking) What remains the same? What differs? What is it that makes something identifiable as a story in the style of this fairy tale? What is the intended audience of each version?  What kind of symbolism is in the story? How has the story shifted historically? Is there a theme that remains constant?  What surprised you about a version?

In your annotation for your academic article or chapter, try to write the author’s argument in your own words and think about whether you agree with what they are saying or not.  Did what they argue change your thoughts about the story you have been working on? What did you learn?

This part of the project is in stages:

1. Citations Only are Due:  With Module 6 – May submit via Blackboard or email
2. Draft of full annotations due:  With Module 7 – May submit via Blackboard or email
3. Peer Review (you will be assigned a partner to swap with): Due to each other with Module 8
4. Final Draft due: AS A POST with Module 9