Name: _______________________________________________ Period: _________ Date: ____________________ Assign #: 25 Greek Mythology Narrative Essay
Directions: Read the following prompt carefully and RUTO it below.
For centuries, myths helped the early Greeks understand phenomena, or puzzling events, in nature and in
human life. A wild storm could be explained as the act of an angry god; falling in love might be caused by the
goddess of love; or the creation of the four seasons may be explained by Zeus’ sympathy for humans. Whether
these myths included gods, goddesses, or mortal heroes, their actions and adventures were used as lessons
that taught important Greek values to future generations.
You have just read several narratives recounting important Greek gods, heroes, and phenomena. Write a
narrative essay from the perspective of a mortal (human) that would explain some type of natural phenomena
and how a Greek god, goddess, or hero is involved. Your story should explain some type of event or state of
the world that exists today. Be sure to include a Greek god or hero in your story that would have made this
phenomenon possible. Describe the occasion so vividly that your readers will feel they were right there with
your god or hero.
Read the prompt. Underline ALL the important parts of the prompt. Turn the MAIN sentence into a question. Write the question here: Outline your essay. Begin it by first answering your question. Your answer to this question will become your thesis. Write your thesis here: Timeline/Due Dates: The following lists the important due dates for this paper. Be sure to follow them so you will not fall behind. Not meeting any of the following deadlines will result in being assigned to Homework Hall: Sept 2 LABOR DAY – NO SCHOOL 9/10 First Draft due 16/17 Final Draft due Tues, 9-­‐3/Wed, 9-­‐4
-­‐RUTO Prompt (pg 1) -­‐Brainstorming Activity (pg 2) 11 Peer Review (pg 5) 5/6 Prewriting due (pgs 3-­‐4) 12/13 Writer’s Workshop Final Draft Format Requirements: *Final Draft can also be neatly handwritten ☐Typed, 12 pt., double-­‐spaced* ☐Times New Roman or Cambria* ☐3-­‐4 pages ☐ESAT Heading (No Cover page) ☐Creative Title ☐Page numbers 1 Brainstorming: ☐Step 1: It is now time to begin brainstorming your own original nature myth. Follow each step below to get your ideas flowing: 1) Make a list of natural phenomena Examples: rainbows, color of a sunset, animals, sneezing, solar eclipses, wind, lightning, yawning, etc.
2) Select a phenomenon from your list that is familiar to you and that you can observe. 3) Observe carefully. Find out as much as you can about the natural event that you have chosen: • What does it look like? • What does it sound like? • What does it smell like? • What effect does it have on people and places? • What are the scientific reasons for this event? 4) Ask yourself, what if? Imagine and brainstorm all of the possibilities... ☐Step 2: Choose the god/goddess or hero that will help you tell your story. Use the following to guide you in your writing by reading myths about him/her and complete the following information. Ø Greek name of god or goddess: Ø Domain (this means what is he/she the god/goddess of): Ø Flaws/crimes/behaviors that cause trouble for this god or goddess: Ø Physical description: list ways to recognize this god or goddess (e.g. does he/she carry something with him/her, dress a certain way, have physical characteristics that are different from the other gods and goddesses? Ø Allies/Friends/Partners in crime: Ø Hangouts/Where would this god be found? Ø Family relationships (e.g. son of Zeus, wife of Hephaestus): Ø Symbols that represent this god/goddess: 2 Prewriting: ☐Step 3: Answer the following questions to begin drafting the background of your story: 1) Purpose: • What is the purpose of your myth? • What natural phenomenon will your myth explain? 2) Theme: • What message or universal truth will be shared by your myth? 3) Additional Characters: • Briefly name and describe your main character, a mortal (protagonist). • Include specific character traits (physical characteristics, personality traits). 4) Give details about the setting of your story. Remember that setting includes not only time and place, but also environmental details. 3 ☐Step 4: Fill out the following plot chart to begin drafting your story. Plot Structure Exposition (Who? Where? Wants What?) • Introduce the main character • Establish the setting • Decide what the character wants Conflict (But?) • Decide on the problem that is keeping the character from getting what he/she wants List Details of Your Story Rising Action (So?) • Create events in your story that show the main character trying to solve the problem Climax (So?) • Create an event or happening in your story that is a turning point and lets the reader know the problem will be (or is) solved. Falling Action (Then?) • Write about what happens because the main problem is out of the way. Give the character what he/she wants. Resolution/Denouement (Finally?) • Write an ending that gives the reader a sense of completeness; that everything is going to be okay. 4 Peer Review Directions for the writer: After you write your rough draft, give it to a peer with this page. Directions for the reviewer: Complete your review by using the following symbols on your peer’s draft as well as on the chart below. + = Great ✓ = Okay, but could be better X = Needs improvement Score Comments/Explanation of your score The myth captured & kept my attention from beginning to end One Greek god/goddess or hero is depicted accurately The god/goddess or hero shows heroic qualities A natural event is explained The myth is written entirely in first or third person Specific nouns & vivid verbs are used to paint pictures with words (imagery) The myth flows & is easy to understand The myth makes sense Proper nouns are capitalized correctly There are no spelling mistakes Reviewer’s Signature What I liked most about your myth was: Your myth could have been better if: 5