The
Elements
of
Fantasy!
Here, you will…
earn to
recognize
the
elements
that
make a
story a
fantasy
Let’s go!
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:
dragon
leprechaun
troll
unicorn
fairy
griffin
sasquatch
Fantasy always features a
conflict between
and
How can you tell the difference?
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!
Good
Characters
Evil
Characters
Young and innocent
Ugly with exaggerated
features
Cute / pretty / handsome
Angry; mean expressions
Cheerful; friendly
Wear dark colors; in dark
places
Strong, heroic, and dedicated
to doing the right thing
Sly; tricky; deceitful
Fantasy stories always
destiny
have a sense of
Destiny
is something
that is
certain to
happen. This
is sometimes
referred to
as fate, or
something
that is meant
to be.
The characters in fantasy
usually go on some type of
quest
A
quest
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.
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