Independent Research Flood Project
Sophomore Honors English
There are three parts to this project. Read the instructions completely before beginning work on your project.
You are to choose one of several other flood stories from ancient literature to research and compare to the Mesopotamian
epic about Gilgamesh and the story of Noah and the Flood from Hebrew Literature. The following is a list of other
cultures that also have a flood story:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Babylonia (Myth of Atrahasis)
Chinese
Greek
Navajo
Pre-Incan Tiahuanaco
Aztec
Or—you may do your own research to find another story.
Once you have chosen your topic, you will need to do Part A, Part B, and Part C for full credit. Before you begin any of
the parts, you will need to read, annotate, study and analyze your sources/sites to fully understand your chosen flood
myth.
Part A
Complete the Venn Diagram to make a comparison between Gilgamesh, Noah and your chosen flood story. Be sure to
touch on specific similarities and differences. For example, you may compare the relationships between humanity and a
supreme being in each account, and/or discuss and exhibit how each account is about both destruction and rebirth, and/or
track the Heroic Journey as it pertains to each story. Your Venn Diagram should be completely full, detailed and
organized in a manner that makes sense to you. See the grading rubric for complete details on grading this portion of your
assignment. WRITE NEATLY!
Part B (this is formal writing—no use of “I, me, you” etc. ) Use subheadings to indicate the section.
This section will contain a synopsis (summary) and brief analysis of the story that you chose. Your synopsis/analysis
should be three paragraphs in length. The first paragraph should be a summary of the story (plot). For the next two
paragraphs choose 2 of these literary elements of the story: characters, setting, theme/moral, imagery, figurative
language, mood, conflict, diction, style, hyperbole, irony, motif, satire, symbolism, tone that you feel are pertinent
to the myth. (One element per paragraph.) Discuss the use of these elements and how they contribute to that myth. (You
may need to research the meaning of these terms to choose the best ones for your particular myth. Their definitions are all
in the Handbook of Literary Terms section of your textbook.)
Part C
Create a list of your sources as a Works Cited page, following the appropriate MLA citation entry format. See Mr.
Dobson’s website (Writing Page) for links to sites that can help you with Works Cited and MLA; Below each source
write a one- paragraph evaluation of that source. Be sure to comment on credibility and validity as well as how
beneficial the source was in your research. You must search three sources/sites: at least 1 database and 1 from Google
scholar or advanced Google search (.edu, .org, or .gov only, NOT Wikipedia.org) you may use either for source #3.
Name _________________________________________ Period ___
Culture Researched: __________________________________________________________
3-Way Venn Diagram
PART “A”
Noah
Gilgamesh
Other myth
Name _________________________________ Period ___________
Independent Research Flood Project Grading Rubric
PART A - Venn Diagram – 30 Points Total
10
There is a minimum of 10 valid, thoughtful and specific
comparisons.
Section about
Gilgamesh
Section about Noah
There is a minimum of 10 valid, thoughtful and specific
comparisons.
Section about your
story
There is a minimum of 10 valid, thoughtful and specific
comparisons.
Score out of 10
PART B – Synopsis and Literary Element Analysis – 30 Points
Plot Synopsis
Literary Element
#1
Literary Element
#2
10
Proper paragraph structure is apparent. Entire flood story is concisely
and clearly summarized in one paragraph.
Proper paragraph structure is apparent. One element of literature is
the focus of the paragraph and specific focus is placed on proper
analysis of the element.
Proper paragraph structure is apparent. One element of literature is
the focus of the paragraph and specific focus is placed on proper
analysis of the element.
Score out of 10
Part C – Internet Research Map – 30 Points
MLA Citations (3 Internet)
5 pts/MLA entry
5
Proper MLA citation is followed. Citation is in correct
alphabetical order and is punctuated correctly.
Website evaluation paragraph
5 pts/evaluation paragraph
Proper paragraph structure is apparent and focus is on the
validity and usefulness of the site.
TOTAL /90
Score out of 15
________________________
Comments ______________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Part “C”
(Sample) Works Cited
(All sources and paragraphs on this sample are fictitious.)
"Becoming a Meteorologist." Weather.com. The Weather Channel, 12 Nov. 1999. Web. 10 Sep. 2014. <http://weather.com>.
*This is where you will type your paragraph of evaluation for this site. You need to comment on whether the site was valid, credible
and worth your time. Write in first person and be honest about your thoughts and feelings about the benefit (or lack of) this site was
for you.
*Actual Sample: This website was really informative and fun to read. It was the first one I found and turned out to be the best one.
The author is an archeologist with a sense of humor, and I learned a lot about Aztec religious beliefs and history. I found the article
easily when I searched for my topic by using an Advanced Google search and filtering for only .edu sites. I would definitely say that
this site is credible and valid because…[insert reasons]. The author was entertaining but also well educated in his field.
Works Cited Page Entry for a Database source.
**Sometimes you will not be able to find all the components asked for. Leave those areas out. For instance, there might not be a Title
of Publication.**
Author Last, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Publication Month or Volume. (Year): page numbers. Title of Database.
Database. Day Month Year Accessed. <URL address through domain .edu>.
**MLA no longer requires the URL but some teachers (ME) might!**
Example:
Meyer, Scott. "The End is the Beginning." Organic Gardening Oct./Nov. 2006. 25-28. Ebsco.
Database. 7 Nov 2011. <http://web.ebscohost.com>.
Website (Be careful here—for this project .edu., .org, .gov sites only acceptable)
Author Last, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Website. Publishing Organization. Date Published/Updated. Web. Day
Mon Year Accessed. <URL address through domain.edu>.
Example:
Edison, Jennifer Gage. Ed. Jim Wohlpart. "Religious Influences on Emily Dickinson: Puritanism and Transcendentalism in Her
Poetry." Emily Dickinson "I Dwell in Possibility" (Johnson 657) American Literature Research and Analysis Website.
University of South Florida, Dec 1996. Web. 13 Mar 2015. <http://itech.fgcu.edu>.
SAMPLE of Part “B”
Name
Period
Date
Flood Research Project
Culture you researched
Note: these lines should be SINGLE SPACED
Part “B”
Synopsis of [name of the story/myth ]
Here you will give a good one paragraph synopsis/summary of the story you read. Do not use I, me, or you unless you
are quoting dialogue.
[1st Literary element you chose] Example: Characterization
In this paragraph you will discuss the element you chose and how it plays a role in the story. How is this element used and
what does it contribute to the story?
[2nd Literary element you chose] Example: Setting
In this paragraph you will discuss the element you chose and how it plays a role in the story. How is this element used and
what does it contribute to the story?