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Folklore Rules: A Fun, Quick, and Useful Introduction to the Field of Academic Folklore Studies by Lynne S. McNeill
Folklore Rules is a brief introduction to the foundational concepts in folklore studies for beginning students. Designed to give essential background on the current study of folklore and some of the basic concepts and questions used when analyzing folklore, this short, coherent, and approachable handbook is divided into five What Is Folklore?; What Do Folklorists Do?; Types of Folklore; Types of Folk Groups; and, finally, What Do I Do Now? Through these chapters students are guided toward a working understanding of the field, learn basic terms and techniques, and learn to perceive the knowledge base and discourse frame for materials used in folklore courses. Folklore Rules will appeal to instructors and students for a variety of courses, including introductory folklore and comparative studies as well as literature, anthropology, and composition classes that include a folklore component.
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First published September 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 13, 2020
It's a sign of a good textbook if I purchase it voluntarily and can't wait to start reading. It's an even better sign if I give it five full stars and have annotations and notes in all the margins.
Folklore studies, fairy tales, mythologies--all that stuff I find fascinating to learn about, not just in the sense of learning legends and reading stories, but diving into them in the academic/scholarly lens. (If folklore studies was a more common major at a wider variety of universities, yes, I would 100% major in that.) This book provides a great foundation into the specifics of what folklore exactly is, through the academic studies lens.
Typically, I am not a person who does well with foundational theories and terms at all; the first few weeks of a new subject can be confusing, with all these new terms thrown at me, but once the class goes on and we start applying those terms and theories, it makes sense. So, following that, I should have not really enjoyed this book. However, it's laid out in a way that constantly repeats the same info and terms, but without making it seem repetitive, rather reframing it into other types of terms that folklorists also use (e.g. folklore is variable/dynamic/informal as well as passed on/conservative/traditional; all terms mean slightly different things of course, but the general idea is that folklore has to contain elements from both groups). It also focused mainly on terms and what falls under those terms, rather than heavy on theories.
One of the reasons this book caught my eye on the shelf was the Hyperbole and a Half meme on the cover (which is used as a tiny case study in digital folk lore in the book). Being an imbiber of fine memes on the interwebs, that caused me to think about "how does this term apply to memes?" and other similar devices (twitter accounts, tumblr posts, etc) that make up the internet culture that I'm familiar with, and it made me all the more interested in continuing to read on.
It is FASCINATING how folklore is constantly in place (that is, not just old tales that are on their way out, like folklore used to be considered) and evolving so quickly that sometimes it's barely extant long enough to study it or record it at all, and then how you can still study it even after no one uses it any longer, but you don't get the true context of it since it's not being actively practiced/shared. The book also helped to define what IS and ISN'T folk lore (while it seems after initial definitions that EVERYTHING is lore, it's really not) and thinking about quirks that I and my family and friends have that are considered folklore. How, even if it's your family's own unique tradition or joke that no one else in the world does or says, you've still created YOUR own little folklore group as a family.
VERY highly recommended for anyone interested in folk lore studies and general terminology, whether you're a student, educator, or just a complete dork for analysis like I am. As the intro states, very few students have any idea what folk lore truly is before they sign up for a "Folklore and...." class in college (and even that class may not teach what it really is, just start applying theories), so if you are a student who is at all interested in really understanding the subject on a deeper level, READ THIS. It's a quick read, even while notetaking, and it's very much an enjoyable, fun read too.
Folklore studies, fairy tales, mythologies--all that stuff I find fascinating to learn about, not just in the sense of learning legends and reading stories, but diving into them in the academic/scholarly lens. (If folklore studies was a more common major at a wider variety of universities, yes, I would 100% major in that.) This book provides a great foundation into the specifics of what folklore exactly is, through the academic studies lens.
Typically, I am not a person who does well with foundational theories and terms at all; the first few weeks of a new subject can be confusing, with all these new terms thrown at me, but once the class goes on and we start applying those terms and theories, it makes sense. So, following that, I should have not really enjoyed this book. However, it's laid out in a way that constantly repeats the same info and terms, but without making it seem repetitive, rather reframing it into other types of terms that folklorists also use (e.g. folklore is variable/dynamic/informal as well as passed on/conservative/traditional; all terms mean slightly different things of course, but the general idea is that folklore has to contain elements from both groups). It also focused mainly on terms and what falls under those terms, rather than heavy on theories.
One of the reasons this book caught my eye on the shelf was the Hyperbole and a Half meme on the cover (which is used as a tiny case study in digital folk lore in the book). Being an imbiber of fine memes on the interwebs, that caused me to think about "how does this term apply to memes?" and other similar devices (twitter accounts, tumblr posts, etc) that make up the internet culture that I'm familiar with, and it made me all the more interested in continuing to read on.
It is FASCINATING how folklore is constantly in place (that is, not just old tales that are on their way out, like folklore used to be considered) and evolving so quickly that sometimes it's barely extant long enough to study it or record it at all, and then how you can still study it even after no one uses it any longer, but you don't get the true context of it since it's not being actively practiced/shared. The book also helped to define what IS and ISN'T folk lore (while it seems after initial definitions that EVERYTHING is lore, it's really not) and thinking about quirks that I and my family and friends have that are considered folklore. How, even if it's your family's own unique tradition or joke that no one else in the world does or says, you've still created YOUR own little folklore group as a family.
VERY highly recommended for anyone interested in folk lore studies and general terminology, whether you're a student, educator, or just a complete dork for analysis like I am. As the intro states, very few students have any idea what folk lore truly is before they sign up for a "Folklore and...." class in college (and even that class may not teach what it really is, just start applying theories), so if you are a student who is at all interested in really understanding the subject on a deeper level, READ THIS. It's a quick read, even while notetaking, and it's very much an enjoyable, fun read too.
July 31, 2025
I read this again as a refresher for a lecture I'm offering in a few weeks. I can't express enough how much I love this book and how much I wish everyone would read it. It's now about ten years old, but it really stands up and should be on the shelves of popular bookstores. McNeill's writing is accessible, entertaining, and very well informed. There are plenty of citations, a robust bibliography, and it's all less than 100 pages. I used to assign parts of it to my students when I was an adjunct, and it's probably always going to be one of my top five most recommended books of all time.
September 10, 2015
By far the best introduction to folkloristics I've read over the years. I was looking for a book that I could recommend to students who wanted an updated vision on folkloristics, and was happy to find a primer like this that covered not only the basics of classic folkloristics, but also the exciting field of digital folklore. And while it is by far from a complete overview of the theories and subject matters involved in folkloristics it does a great job of explaining some of the fundamental principles involved in thinking like a folkloristics. The heavy theory can easily be picked up after this book.
And the footnotes. Actually funny.
I'm impressed. Truly impressed.
Gonna throw it at the next student I see interested in folklore.
And the footnotes. Actually funny.
I'm impressed. Truly impressed.
Gonna throw it at the next student I see interested in folklore.
January 24, 2020
Solid intro to the field. Not sure what I was expecting, but this definitely fit the bill for a lightning fast review of what folklore is, what folklorists do, and why it matters. Turns out I’m not as interested in the semantics as I am the products, but hey—I learned a lot.
February 7, 2019
fuck you!!
May 4, 2015
Certainly a quick read! It's a fun, casual look at defining folklore and looking into the different types of folklore and folk groups.
January 17, 2020
A light, but informative, introductory textbook on folklore. The book explains the categories of things that may be considered as folklore and how professional scholars in the field conduct their studies.
The author writes, "any folklorist can tell you, folklore sounds simple but isn't." Her goal here is to provide enough information to get one started in examining folklore without the great length that the basic textbooks contain. She writes with a sense of humor, provides examples of the several genres and specializations that make up modern folklore.
She makes clear that folklore does not consist solely of old, handed-down stories, beliefs, and actions. New folk behaviors are being created all the time; she provides examples of how the internet is home to a number of these new folk behaviors.
A pleasant introduction to a little known corner of scholarship. Good for students and the otherwise curious.
The author writes, "any folklorist can tell you, folklore sounds simple but isn't." Her goal here is to provide enough information to get one started in examining folklore without the great length that the basic textbooks contain. She writes with a sense of humor, provides examples of the several genres and specializations that make up modern folklore.
She makes clear that folklore does not consist solely of old, handed-down stories, beliefs, and actions. New folk behaviors are being created all the time; she provides examples of how the internet is home to a number of these new folk behaviors.
A pleasant introduction to a little known corner of scholarship. Good for students and the otherwise curious.
June 14, 2020
The title of this book is an apt description of its contents.
It was a quick and easy read that was surprisingly eye-opening. My world feels surprisingly more rich. I have a new appreciation for stories that I heard in the army and at small dive bars.
This book successfully widened my definition of folklore without making it too broad of a label. At first I was worried that the book was trying to argue that folklore is any story that isn’t “official” or “formal” culture; but it is much more nuanced than that.
My takeaway is that Folklore is how a community/folk-group shares their values through stories, games, and art (and memes!). This happens at a workplace, on Internet forums, churches, neighborhoods, in cities, friend groups, families, and more.
The next time someone tells me a story that smells like “bullshit”, I’ll be on the lookout for the story’s nutrients—the values and lessons hidden in the story.
It was a quick and easy read that was surprisingly eye-opening. My world feels surprisingly more rich. I have a new appreciation for stories that I heard in the army and at small dive bars.
This book successfully widened my definition of folklore without making it too broad of a label. At first I was worried that the book was trying to argue that folklore is any story that isn’t “official” or “formal” culture; but it is much more nuanced than that.
My takeaway is that Folklore is how a community/folk-group shares their values through stories, games, and art (and memes!). This happens at a workplace, on Internet forums, churches, neighborhoods, in cities, friend groups, families, and more.
The next time someone tells me a story that smells like “bullshit”, I’ll be on the lookout for the story’s nutrients—the values and lessons hidden in the story.
December 8, 2020
This little book is the perfect guide for anyone brand new to folklore. It is easy to understand, entertaining, and highly informative. McNeill writes with an engaging style, explaining the concept of folklore for those completely new to this academic discipline. The reader will find out what folklore is (and what it isn't), how and why it's studied, what constitutes a folk group, and what folklorists do. In only a few short chapters, this book captured my interest in folklore, making me want to study further. It is a perfect starting place for a beginner!
December 1, 2019
If you're interested in the study of folklore, this is a really useful little primer to give you the basics of what folklore is, how it's relevant in social structures, how it influences people, and how and why it's studied. This was basically my "textbook" for a university class on folklore and it was very useful, very affordable, and very approachable for those who might be new to the discipline or who might just want to learn a little more about an underappreciated field of study.
January 24, 2024
Great introduction to the world of folklore! I read this for my Irish folklore class and was pleasantly surprised at how easy to read this book was, while still being very insightful and educational. At no point while reading did I think that the author was dragging out the writing to the point of boredom — the examples used were very applicable and easily understandable for someone who knows nothing about folklore. This was by far my best educational, yet simultaneously humorous, read yet.
December 22, 2018
This is the best introductory folklore book I have ever read. McNeill writes clearly and concisely for the novice students. There are quite a few definitions, but everything is explained effectively. This a great book for any student interested in getting to know about folklore
April 21, 2020
Down the folklore rabbit hole!
Interesting, informative book. Quite short, but a great introduction that makes a point of not going overly in-depth on any singular topic. A good starting point for all your folklore interests.
Interesting, informative book. Quite short, but a great introduction that makes a point of not going overly in-depth on any singular topic. A good starting point for all your folklore interests.
January 26, 2022
I read this as the required text for my folklore class and I loved not only how short and to the point it was but also how genuinely interesting without being overwhelming. The author also has a humorous voice which fit the subject really well and made for a more entertaining read.
July 21, 2019
Quick, accessible, and adequately comprehensive introduction to the discipline of folklore! Includes great ideas for further reading on each topic with a short description of each.
August 3, 2019
Mildly interesting but incredibly short
December 13, 2019
One of the most exciting and interesting academic reads I've got the chance to get my hands on: fun while including the basic key concepts required to understand folklore and folkloristics.
February 2, 2020
Exactly what it says it is. This is a slim volume that introduces this academic discipline in an accessible, cut-the-crap way. Read the endnotes; they are delightful.
November 21, 2020
Quick and entertaining, makes a good primer for teenagers interested in folklore.
March 13, 2022
It set out what it intended to do. It’s a brief introduction to Folklore and a great place to start for beginners.
August 17, 2022
A short but highly useful introduction to folklore and how it functions.
September 14, 2022
A quick, accessible introduction to the study of folklore.
August 27, 2023
1. 8-27-23
Solid text. Initially only gave it 4 stars, but I can't think of anything wrong with it or how I would improve it: so 5 stars! Informative and insightful without being drawn out.
Solid text. Initially only gave it 4 stars, but I can't think of anything wrong with it or how I would improve it: so 5 stars! Informative and insightful without being drawn out.
January 22, 2024
A bit too how-do-you-do-fellow-kids but otherwise a pretty good read.
September 1, 2024
3.5 stars - a really approachable introduction to folklore studies, though it felt really repetitive and kept making the same 2-3 points throughout.
February 19, 2025
Great intro to folklore as a discipline. I was pleasantly surprised.
March 28, 2024
really simple introduction to academic folklore studies. there's a sort of cheeky narration style that I can imagine would be annoying to some people but I don't mind. this makes me want to collect stories and I appreciate that.
February 18, 2016
This book was the main text in my introduction to folklore class and was worthy enough to be the first school textbook I've ever added to my Goodreads account. As a text, it was extremely easy to read and comprehend. She took the vast subject of folklore and explained it in an entertaining and approachable way.
The book is slim, and again very easy to read. The author's writing adds an element of light heartedness that makes reading it an actual enjoyable experience. The chapters where short, concise and to the point. Many of the facets and genres of folklore studies are touched upon and explored. This little book provided and excellent introduction and support throughout the semester.
The book is slim, and again very easy to read. The author's writing adds an element of light heartedness that makes reading it an actual enjoyable experience. The chapters where short, concise and to the point. Many of the facets and genres of folklore studies are touched upon and explored. This little book provided and excellent introduction and support throughout the semester.
May 23, 2015
This book lives up to its subtitle of being fun, quick, and useful for introducing the field of folklore. I could quibble about some of the things left out, but what is contained gives a good overview of the field. My biggest gripe is that it follows the conventional but utterly stupid practice of putting footnotes at the end of the chapter. Most of its footnotes are meant to be read, not just referred to, and read in the context where they occur, so there is no excuse for not having them on the same page. My second biggest gripe is that the cover is ugly, but don't judge the book by that.
January 13, 2016
Pretty good for a textbook
Decent read for a textbook, but it was obvious the author spent her life in academia. Many of the attempts at humor were obviously meant for those on a college campus, not working adults. She also kept referring to corporations as being the public sector, giving the impression that she thinks government and business are the same. Still, she covered the intended topic of what folklore is (and is not), without making the book needlessly drawn out. I am glad I got the digital version because it made it easy to follow the annotations, plus it cost less.
Decent read for a textbook, but it was obvious the author spent her life in academia. Many of the attempts at humor were obviously meant for those on a college campus, not working adults. She also kept referring to corporations as being the public sector, giving the impression that she thinks government and business are the same. Still, she covered the intended topic of what folklore is (and is not), without making the book needlessly drawn out. I am glad I got the digital version because it made it easy to follow the annotations, plus it cost less.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews