The Myth & The Man
Basic Elements
100
Explains a belief system, a phenomenon, or a worldview of a group of people
What is a Myth?
100
All of the events and conflicts that make up the story.
What is the plot?
200
Tries to Provide an explanation for the unexplainable like origins of the earth or the universe, state of the human condition, and/or natural phenomena.
What are the purposes of a Myth?
200
Introduces the characters, the setting, and the conflict.
What is the exposition (introduction) to a story?
300
The customs and beliefs of a group of people.
What is culture?
300
The part of a story that builds the conflict and shows how characters attempt to overcome obstacles.
What is the Rising Action, or the middle of a story if you are writing a three paragraph essay?
400
The events and conflicts that make up a story.
What is the plot?
400
Resolves the conflict.
What is the Resolution?
500
A statement of the central ideas of a text in one's own words.
What is a Paraphrasing?
500
"The Maasai people live in East Africa and value animals, particularly livestock, because they move around seasonally, relying on rain and sun" is information that builds a certain kind of understanding.
What is Background Knowledge?
600
A traditional story that explains a belief system, a natural phenomenon, or a worldview of a group of people.
What is a myth?
600
The myth entitled "The Beginnings of the Massai" provides this by explaining the interactions between the people and teh supernatural powers.
What is an understanding of culture?
700
An event or occurrence that defies easy explanation.
What is a phenomenon?
700
These are made as you read a myth and think about how mythical elements connect the culture or a people's customs and beliefs.
What is making cultural connections?
800
Supernatural beings, such as gods, or human-like animals, fantastic setting, explanations about the origin of the universe, conflicts between worlds, beings, the self, or natural elements.
What are common mythical elements?
800
Used to restate central ideas and key details.
What are your own words?
900
Used to connect ideas using words like "so" and "then."
What are transitions?
1000
It has four steps: Identify important words and phrases; Eliminate minor details; Restate central ideas and key details; Connect ideas with transitions.
What is summarizing?