- Plot: The plot involves the conflict between the hero and the antagonist, the resolution of the struggle and the restoration of order.
- Characters: The characters are usually stock figures, such as the hero, the villain, the helper and the trickster.
- Setting: The setting is generally a realistic one, but can also be fantastical.
- Theme: The theme is usually didactic or moralistic and is often expressed explicitly in the narrative.
- Motifs: Folk narratives often contain several recurring motifs, such as the journey, the quest, the battle and the rescue.
- Narrative devices: Folk narratives often use specific narrative devices, such as the repetition of phrases or actions, and the use of imagery and symbolism.
- Cultural significance: Folk narratives often reflect the values, beliefs and customs of the culture in which they originated.