This document provides guidance on how to write a fable. It explains that a fable is a story that teaches a lesson, and typically features animals, plants, or inanimate objects as characters. It outlines key elements to consider when writing a fable, such as choosing a moral or life lesson, selecting animal characters, setting the scene, introducing characters, including dialogue, sequencing events, and concluding with a restatement of the moral. The document provides examples and tips for each element to help writers craft an effective fable.

1. HOW TO WRITE AHOW TO WRITE A
FABLEFABLE
Prof. Gabriela A. Llaneza

2. Fables…
… a story that teaches a lesson
…characters are animals, plants,
inanimate objects or forces of nature.
…animals talk and behave as humans

3. Fable Elements
Many things to think about before writing a fable
 Moral – a lesson
 Animals
 Animals’ names
 Set t ing
 I nt roducing t he animals/ charact ers
 Dialogue bet ween charact ers
 Sequencing event s of t he st ory
 Conclusion of st ory / moral

4. Moral
a lif e long lesson
Life-long lesson
Do to others as you would
like them to do to you.
Cheaters never win.
Don’t judge a book by its
cover.
Good lessons – but not
considered a life-long
lesson-
Not a Moral
Pick up trash on the road.
Brush your teeth three times
a day.
Don’t hit your brother or
sister.

5. Choose your animals (2)
 Animals should “go
with the moral”
 Often a “good guy/bad
guy relationship”
 Often they are
“natural enemies”
 Personification:
animals take on
human characteristics
One sided characters
Good Guy/Bad Guy
Mouse/Snake
Natural Enemies
Cat/Dog
Bad: snake/shark/bear/lion/rat
Good: bunny/mouse/kitten/cow
Poetic justice
***

6. Setting…
Where/ When story takes place
SETTING
SEASON TIME PLACE
SUMMER / WINTER
SPRING / AUTUMN
DAY
NIGHT
DUSK / DAWN
NOON / MIDNIGHT
OCEAN
SCHOOL
DESERT
FOREST

7. Names of Animals
Names should suit the
moral/story/setting
Slither, the snake – desert
Sly Fox – forest
Messy Mouse – barn
Goldie Fish - ocean/pond
Hairy Bear - cave
Fluffy Bunny - hole in ground
***

8. Writ ing t he St ory
 Beginning (description)
Setting
Introduce Characters
 Middle (narration)
Problem
Events
 End
Conclusion
Moral

9. Remember Fable Element s
 Use description that appeal to the senses
 Animals
 Animals’ names
 Setting
 Use adjective and adverbs to make your story more vivid
 Dialogue between characters, to make the story more
lively
 Sequencing events of the story in chronological order
 Conclusion of story
 Moral that teaches a life-long lesson

10. Remember Fable Element s
 Use description that appeal to the senses
 Animals
 Animals’ names
 Setting
 Use adjective and adverbs to make your story more vivid
 Dialogue between characters, to make the story more
lively
 Sequencing events of the story in chronological order
 Conclusion of story
 Moral that teaches a life-long lesson