Shaggy Dog Stories have common features and some variants. Below is a list for each story.

1. Friar story;

• characterization/background (feature)
• cultural knowledge about name
• punch line is a pun (feature)
• cultural knowledge needed to understanf the punch line (feature)

2. Panda Bear

• fantasy (variant) talking Panda bear
• personification (variant)
• punch line is a pun (feature)
• cultural knowledge about New Yorkers not surprised to have Panda that wants a beer!
• characterization

3. String in a bar

• personification (talking string)
• punch line is a pun (features)
• colloquialism (gimme) slang for give me

4. Robinson Caruso

• punch line is a pun

5. Lawyer story (MY FAVORITE!!!)

• pun for punch line
• stereotypes (lawyers say check is in the mail. refer to lawyers say anything to please with no substance.