Cultural storytelling is defined by the transmitting and conveying of certain values, morals and beliefs. These stories are passed down from generation to generation in an engaging and memorable form. The stories that are given to children in an attempt to teach them the meaning of religion might be understood as cultural stories, such as the Christian story of original sin.
Family storytelling is thought of as the spoken history of a family, maintaining and preserving a long line of various events and experiences, while keeping traditions and expectations alight. Storytelling that concerns a family heritage allows for a family identity to emerge, often bringing with it the finest traits of an ancestral history as a reminder to live up to something. This type of story can provide those who hear it with the motivation to live up to past family achievements.
Through living, everyone is in the constant and ongoing process of composing a personal story. The stories are formed personally and concern individual lives. They are composed to remember, change and find meaning to life. Through personal storytelling, the teller is able to share his experiences with others and possibly motivate and inspire. Personal storytelling might also take the form of a biography or a biographical novel.
Apocryphal stories are presented to the listener as unlikely and often unbelievable truths, or doubtful stories told as fact. These stories are more commonly known as "urban myths." "Apocryphal" derives from the Greek word "apocrypho", meaning "hidden." Generally, this is a type of storytelling that revolves around things of fear or things that cannot be fully understood.