Creation Myth Essay
M. Sazama
Requirements:
3 typed pages
MLA format
Works Cited page
Keeping in mind our in-class readings, discussions, and notes, compose a THREE page
essay that examines the similarities or differences found within the Creation Myths of
THREE difference cultures. Although a small amount of plot summary is appropriate,
your exploration must be supported with an appropriate amount of analysis, response,
details, examples, and quotations.
The Task:
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Select and read THREE creation myths from cultures of varying geographic
locations.
In your paper, you may wish to examine the myths by:
o Discussing the creation of the world and the gods. What is at the very
beginning of things? (Chaos, nothing, another world)
o What is the Creation Myth Archetype?
o Discussing the creation of humans. How do they come into existence?
How do they evolve? For what purpose are they created?
o What is the relationship between the gods and humanity?
o What insights about the specific culture do we learn from this myth? What
do they value? What does it mean to be human?
You must use properly cited quotes as support in your paper. Failure to do so
will result in zero credit being awarded for your paper.
You must have Works Cited page. NO Works Cited = Zero on Essay
You MUST submit paper to Turnintin.com. NO SUBMISSION= ZERO, even if
you give me a hard copy.
Final copy must be turned in, NOT emailed. I will not print out your essays. If
your printer breaks or runs out of toner, print in the Media Center BEFORE
CLASS!
Remember that all interpretations begin with critical observations. Thus, to avoid laying
out a plot summary- or retelling of the story- strive to use verbs like the ones listed
below, which will assist you in developing the critical focus you need to write a literary
analysis essay.
explore
portray
include
analyze
argue
refer
highlight
mention
discuss
suggest
show
reveal
examine
present
write
express
outline
use
illustrate
indicate
emphasize
explain
chronicle
demonstrate
Available Resources:
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Creation Stories from Around the World: table of contents linked to creation myths
o http://www.gly.uga.edu/railsback/CS/CSIndex.html
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Timeless Myths
o http://www.timelessmyths.com/
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The Big Myth: fun, animated stories from around the world
o http://www.bigmyth.com/2_eng_myths.html
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Mercer University Physics Department: and you thought myths were limited to
literature!
o http://physics.mercer.edu/balduz/sci105/creationMyths/creationMythsF07.htm
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PURDUE OWL (ONLINE WRITING LAB): For help with MLA formatting
o http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
GUIDELINES FOR DRAFTING
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Do not simply retell the story; comment on the events and details. You can
assume that your readers have some familiarity with the story you are analyzing.
Avoid “I” and “you”.
Use the PRESENT verb tense to discuss the work.
In the introduction, make critical observations and/ or comments about the
work, Identify the title of the work (myth). The thesis statement must be last
sentence in introduction.
Revise thesis to work it into the introduction as smoothly as possible.
In the body of essay, present your supporting details in clearly organized form.
Put each topic into its own paragraph. Each topic sentence and its paragraph must
relate to the thesis statement. Use appropriate transitions and transitional
phrases to show how one detail relates to another. Do not use first, secondly,
lastly, or in conclusion.
In the conclusion, draw together your details to reinforce the main idea of your
essay. You will need to restate your thesis in a slightly different form. Your
conclusion should summarize the main ideas or offer an overall evaluation of the
thesis.
Use direct quotations from the work to strengthen points you want to make.
Add a title that suggests the focus of your essay. Do not use the title of the myth
as the title of your paper.
Things to check before you turn in your literary analysis:
Introduction:
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Attention-getter/ hook
Transition sentence
Introduction of title of work
1-2 sentence summary of work
Thesis statement
o The final sentence of the opening paragraph should state the thesis of
the paper (either identifying the characteristics of the main character
you will be discussing, the theme you will be analyzing, or answering
a question posed in the prompt).
Body Paragraphs:
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Topic sentence that support my thesis
Introduction of support/ quotation
Evidence in the form of a quotation, followed by MLA citation
Discussion of how quotation explains/ proves topic sentence.
Summary sentence
Conclusion:
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Restated thesis (should not sound exactly like thesis in introductory paragraph)
Summary of main points
Final Thought: Make some general statements which give advice to all people or
a recommendation which would apply in most situations
MLA FORMAT:
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MLA header
MLA heading
Title
Works Cited page in MLA format
12 pt. Times New Roman font
Double-spaced
1 in. margins