This is an outline I use in one of my workshops on  Storytelling. Use it and pass it on!

A tall tale is a humorous, simple story  which tells of extraordinary, impossible happenings. The characters and
action in a tall tale are exaggerated.

The tall tale is a type of literary work  which originated on the American frontier.

 THE KEY TO A TALL TALE IS EXAGGERATION!


 Your first step is to choose a tall tale hero-you might invent a new character (maybe a character based on a
 legendary hero from your area).
 
Remember, the key is to EXAGGERATE your hero's characteristics. Make him or her bigger or stronger or faster or smarter than anyone else!
 
Now you need an adventure for your tall tale hero. Once again, the key is to EXAGGERATE. The main event of a tall
tale is not something that can happen in real life.

If you need some help with your story, try filling in the blanks of the tall tale story form below:

(Name of tall tale hero)  was the (describing words, like toughest, smartest) man/woman in the state of (name state).


Everyone for miles around knew (hero's name) and loved to tell and retell of his/her amazing feats.

Now one day (hero's name) went to visit Grandfather (or whomever).  Grandfather had been having big problems with  (Grandfather explained his problem.) 

That was all it took.  Right away (Hero dug, rode, whipped,built, made, cooked, etc) (How the hero solved Grandfather's problem)


Grandfather's problem was solved, and the folks in (the state you chose) now had a new story to tell about
(hero's name)