English 9R Mr. McDonough and Ms. Becker / Ms. Mormando / Ms. Madigan Mythology Research Paper Due Dates
Due Date Assignment
11/30 Checked in class at the end of AT LEAST THREE notecards for book the period. sources—one source MUST be Edith Hamilton’s Mythology. (5 points)
12/5 Checked in class at the end of AT LEAST THREE note cards for online the period. sources—one source MUST be www.greek-gods.info. (5 points)
12/6 Checked in class at the end of Properly formatted, annotated the period. bibliography including at least six sources. Times New Roman, size 12, double spaced. (5 points)
12/14 To be handed in at the Completed, PRINTED beginning of class. research paper (at least five pages) Times New Roman, size 12, double spaced six notecards annotated bibliography (100 points in total)
12/14 To be submitted online to Submit electronic copy of your paper turnitin.com. and annotated bibliography in one document to turnitin.com. (No credit for paper without turnitin submission!)
We will meet in the Library on: 11/29 and 11/30
We will meet in the Writing Center on: 12/1 – 12/9
English 9R Mythology and Homer’s “Odyssey” Welcome to the exciting world of ancient mythology! Throughout this journey, you will improve your research skills by sifting through information from books and the Web, taking notes, writing an annotated bibliography, and constructing a well-developed research paper.
Your Task: Defend the significance of a particular figure in the pantheon (collection) of Greek mythology by including biographical information and citing at least one mythological story in which that figure plays a role demonstrating its importance.
Your research on the God, Goddess, Creature, or Mortal may include: Physical Characteristics/Appearance—use www.greek-gods.info to describe what your character looks like. Compare and contrast a couple of different pictures if possible or applicable. Character Traits Powers or Talents Origin Where did he/she/it come from? Is there a creation myth associated with this god/goddess/creature/mortal? Residence Where does this god/goddess/creature/mortal live? Significance in the pantheon (collection) of Greek mythology—identify what stories, tales or myths are most famously associated with this god/goddess/creature/mortal and discuss his/her/its role or importance in that story or stories. Briefly summarize the story or stories in a couple of sentences, but focus mainly on your character’s role in that story. Use Edith Hamilton’s Mythology for this. Role in Homer’s Iliad and/or Odyssey (if applicable to your character!!!) Symbol With what symbol is this god/goddess/creature/mortal most closely associated? Or, if this god/goddess/creature/mortal were connected to a symbol, what would it be and why? A modern business or service your character would provide if he/she/it were to exist in today’s world: The gods have returned to the world disguised as mortals. However, no one worships your characters anymore. After all, who needs thunderbolts these days when we have electricity? Who cares if you’re the most beautiful goddess in an age of facelifts and liposuction? You must reinvent yourself by creating a business or providing a service or product! Consider how your character lived and acted in the ancient world, and then… Determine a business, service, or product that would be appropriate for your character in the 21st century based upon your research. Then… Discuss, in detail, the service provided and why that service or company would be fitting for your character to offer. Describe any images that will help sell the product—do NOT include actual pictures! Include a slogan or logo for the company or service and give it a name.
Example: If Centaurs were to exist in the 21st century, they would own a horse ranch. This is appropriate because Centaurs were half-man, half-horse creatures… Step 1: Choose Your Figure
Gods, Goddesses, Heroes and Monsters: 1. Aeolus 2. Achilles 3. Ajax the Great 4. Aphrodite 5. Apollo 6. Artemis 7. Ares 8. Athena 9. Atlas 10. Calypso and the Nymphs 11. Circe To Select Your Character: 12. Cronus 13. Demeter and Persephone 1. Write your first/last name on an index card. 14. The Furies 2. Write the names of two characters you 15. Gorgons already know. 16. Hades 3. Write the names of two characters you do 17. Hector and Paris not know. 18. Helen of Troy 19. Hephaestus Drawing will be as randomized as possible. I will try 20. Hera to pair you with one of your choices. 21. Heracles (Hercules) 22. Hermes 23. Calliope and the Muses 24. Polyphemus the Cyclops 25. Poseidon 26. Scylla and Charybdis 27. The Sirens 28. Theseus 29. Tiresias 30. Zeus
Step 2: Search Reliable Online Sources and Books You must have a minimum of six sources. These must be a combination of books and Web sites. Two sources, listed below, have already been provided: Required Web site: www.greek-gods.info Required Book: Mythology by Edith Hamilton DO NOT use Wikipedia! Use www.easybib.com to format sources
Step 3: Create Note Cards You will be responsible for creating at least 6 note cards. Each card must include the following information: o MLA Citation: Use easybib.com for Web sites to create an MLA citation. Copy that information onto each note card. o Annotation: Write 2-3 full sentences describing how you used the source. Imagine you were answering the question, How was this book, article, or Web site useful to my research? o Notes: On the card, include a bulleted list of specific information you have gathered from the source on your chosen topic.
Model Notecards:
Kravitz, David. Who’s Who in Greek and Roman Mythology: A Close Look. New York: Potter, 1975.
This book provided a short summary of Aeolus. It enabled me to gather preliminary information on my research topic before digging deeper into the subject.
God of the winds King of Aeolia a.k.a.Hippotades
Sample Note Cards, Continued:
Rouse, W.H.D. Gods, Heroes and Men of Ancient Greece. Cambridge: Signet, 1957.
This book provided some information about how Aeolus (here spelled Aiolos) was involved in Homer’s Odyssey. It helped to put Aeolus in context.
Also spelled “Aiolos” King of an island nation Wanted to help Odysseus, the protagonist of Homer’s Odyssey Gave Odysseus a bag of wind The bag contained every wind except the West Wind, which would sail their ship home to Ithaca Aeolus warned Odysseus not to open the bag A sailor opened the bag and the winds knocked the ship off course (again!)
“A Visual Odyssey.” umich.edu. 28 Nov. 2007.
This Web page took me on a visual journey of Homer’s Odyssey through different paintings. It helped me to see what the stories from the Odyssey could look like and how this classic tale has been visually interpreted and presented throughout history. I found a visual to supplement my presentation.
Painting by Alistair Malcolm
Step 4: The Annotated Bibliography Using the citations and the annotations on the notecards, you will type out an annotated bibliography that lists all six sources. Create either a Word or a Google document and name it “Mythology Research Paper”. BEFORE TYPING ANYTHING, format the document to Times New Roman, Font Size 12, Double Space. Center the title Annotated Bibliography in bold face. DO NOT underline, use quotes or make the title any larger. List your sources in alphabetical order by either author’s last name or, if there is no author, the title of the source or the article. After each citation, type the “annotation” that you included on your notecard—a few sentences describing how you used each source. DO NOT include numbers, dashes, bullets, etc., for each source. Your annotated bibliography MUST use the same indenting format as the example below. Note: You will write your actual paper in the same document!!!
Model Annotated Bibliography: Annotated Bibliography
“A Visual Odyssey.” umich.edu. 28 Nov. 2007.
This webpage took me on a visual journey of Homer’s Odyssey through different paintings. It helped me to see what the stories from the Odyssey could look like and how this classic tale has been visually interpreted and presented throughout history. I found a visual to supplement my presentation.
Kravitz, David. Who’s Who in Greek and Roman Mythology: A Close Look. New York: Potter, 1975.
This book provided a short summary of Aeolus. It enabled me to gather preliminary information on my research topic before digging deeper into the subject.
Rouse, W.H.D. Gods, Heroes and Men of Ancient Greece. Cambridge: Signet, 1957.
This book provided some information about how Aeolus (here spelled Aiolos) was involved in Homer’s Odyssey. It helped to put Aeolus in context.
(All sources must be listed…Remember, you need to have at least six sources!) How to Use easybib.com:
1. Go to www.easybib.com
2. Copy/paste the URL of the Web site you wish to cite into the “Cite It” field at
the top of the screen and click “Cite It”.
3. It will likely tell you what information was found as well as piece of information,
such as publisher, date of publication, author, etc., that you might be asked to
fill in manually.
4. Click, “Continue to the Next Step”.
NOTE: Web sites will often NOT have a publisher, author, or date of publication. THIS IS OK!!!
5. On the next screen the missing information, such as publisher, author, etc.,
will be highlighted in orange. IF you can find the missing info on the Web site,
fill it in. IF NOT, YOU MAY LEAVE THOSE FIELDS BLANK!!!
6. Click on “Create Citation” and then copy/paste your citation into a Google
document only.
Step 5: The Research Paper
Using the information you have gathered, write a formal research paper about the importance of your god or goddess in the pantheon of Greek mythology and/or that character’s significance to either “The Iliad”, “The Odyssey”, or both, if applicable. Note: Your character might not play a role in either!
Your paper should be focused and organized with a clear introduction, body and conclusion.
Whether you are quoting directly or paraphrasing the information from your sources, you MUST include parenthetical citations to give credit to the source. Provide the author’s last name and, if applicable, a page number. For Web sites with no author, provide the name of the Web site: o “Zeus was the king of the gods, and he played a crucial role in Homer’s epic.” (Smith 20) o “Hera was a jealous goddess and often plagued Hercules with suffering. (mythology.com)
This paper must be 5-6 pages, typed and double spaced, Times New Roman size 12 font. NO cover pages or pictures!
Do not plagiarize! You may not use any language in your paper that is not your own!
You will have to submit this paper to turnitin.com in order to receive credit.
Model Research Paper (Abridged): Stewart Dent December 5, 2016
English 9R Mr. McDonough
Aeolus
The Greek pantheon of gods included many mythical figures of varying importance to life and the universe.
Among those was Aeolus, the mythical god of the winds. Aeolus played a crucial role in Homer’s “Odyssey” because, unlike most of the other gods, he tried to help Odysseus return to his homeland.
Aeolus is often depicted as a large head floating in the sky, surrounded by clouds. He controls the four winds by keeping them in his caves on the island of Thrace. …
He is a friendly god who most often tries to help those in need by providing helpful winds and breezes. For example, the most popular story associated with Aeolus was the time he offered help to Odysseus and his men. … OPTIONAL Extra Credit Outline (10 Extra Points) Stewart Dent December 5, 2016 English 9R Mr. McDonough
I. Introduction a. Broad opening about mythology in general—purpose, origin, etc. b. Thesis Statement: Why Aeolus was important in “The Odyssey” II. Physical Characteristics a. In paintings and pictures, he looks like a large head in the sky, often surrounded by clouds
III. Power a. God of the Winds b. Controls the winds by keeping them in caves i. Power over the four winds 1. Boreas – Wind of the North 2. Zephyrus – Wind of the West 3. Notus – Wind of the South 4. Eurus – Wind of the East
IV. Character Traits a. Friendly god with mostly friendly winds b. Helpful: wants to help Odysseus and his men return to Ithaca
V. Origin a. Son of Hippotas, but maybe others
VI. Family a. Married Cyane, a nymph b. Six sons and six daughters, all married each other
VII. Residence a. An island called Thrace, later to be known as Aiola b. Steep cliffs and caves to the sea c. He keeps the winds in control in one of these mountain caverns
VIII. Myth / Role in Homer’s Odyssey a. Odysseus and his men land on Aiolus’ island i. Aiolus treats them well – gives them food and drink and shelter ii. As the men prepare to leave, Aiolus gives them a gift of 1. An oxhide (leather) bag 2. Contains all the bad winds that may set them off course on their journey home to Ithaca b. Odysseus and his men set sail for Ithaca i. They sail nine days and nights ii. The shore is in sight! iii. One of Odysseus’ men does not trust Odysseus and thinks that he is hiding a treasure in the bag IX. Symbols a. Wind b. Leather bag
X. Modern Service a. CEO of a windmill corporation
XI. Conclusion a. Restate Thesis b. Broad closing thoughts regarding Aeolus and his importance in “The Odyssey” Mythology Research Paper Rubric Exemplary Satisfactory Needs Missing Improvement Thesis Statement: Provides a clear, focused argument regarding the importance of your character in the overall pantheon of Greek mythology (10 points) Content: Detailed information is provided regarding appearance, traits, powers, origin, etc. (20 points) Discussion of modern service/business shows understanding of character (10 points) Parenthetical Citations: Paper includes citations from multiple sources that follow MLA format. (10 points) Note Cards: At least 6 in total; citation, annotation, and notes on each card (10 points) Annotated Bibliography: Centered Title With No Quotes, Bold or Underline; A-B-C order; correct citation format for sources; annotations; Times New Roman, Size 12 Font; Double Spaced (10 points) Restate your Thesis/Final thoughts about the topic (10 points)
MUGS (Mechanics, Usage, Grammar, Spelling) / Times New Roman, Size 12 Font; Double Spaced—No Extra Spacing (10 points) Cooperation/Focus in library/Writing Center (10 points) Submission on turnitin.com (No submission = no credit for paper) ************** ************* ************* ************* Yes / No OPTIONAL Extra Credit Outline (10 points)
Total Score: /100