Here I have tried to collect in one place all of the best definitions of folklore available on the Web. The approaches range from basic to academic, with discussions about what folklore is, examples of the different types of folklore, and why the topic is important in our quest to better understand ourselves and each other.
A collection of quotes assembled by the New York Folklore society defining folklore and folk arts from a variety of perspectives.
Excellent article from the American Folklore Society offering a concise definition of folklore, with examples of the various forms of folkloric expression.
A good, basic overview in plain language of what folklore is and why we study it.
From Scholastic.com, a brief overview of folklore for teachers, with examples of various kinds of folklore under the main headings "Oral," "Material," and "Behavioral."
A definition of folklore focusing on its history and the importance conserving it, from the Ukrainian Folklore Centre of the University of Alberta.
Wikipedia article briefly defining folklore as a field of study, with an overview of the history of the subject and the main types recognized by folklorists.
