Section 1: Define Key Vocabulary and Terms
Creation Stories
Oral Tradition
Theme
Plot
Characters
Heritage Language
Cultural Values
1. Creation Stories - Mythical or religious narratives that explain how the world and everything in it was created. These stories are often passed down through generations and differ across different cultures and religions.
2. Oral Tradition - The transmission of cultural knowledge, beliefs, customs, and stories through spoken word from one generation to another. This tradition relies on memory, storytelling, and verbal communication rather than written records.
3. Theme - The central message or main idea that runs throughout a piece of literature or story. Themes can explore various topics such as love, betrayal, good vs. evil, or the human condition.
4. Plot - The sequence of events that make up a story. It includes the exposition (introduction), rising action (developing conflict), climax (turning point or highest point of tension), falling action (resolution of conflict), and conclusion (ending).
5. Characters - The individuals or entities that appear in a story. They can be fictional or real and can possess distinct traits, motivations, and relationships.
6. Heritage Language - The language that is part of a person's ethnic or cultural background, typically passed down through generations. It is often a language other than the dominant language spoken in the region.
7. Cultural Values - The beliefs, customs, and principles that guide the behavior and worldview of individuals within a particular culture. These values can influence social norms, traditions, and attitudes towards various aspects of life such as family, education, religion, or community.