Foundations of Mythology Worksheet | | | | | | INSTRUCTIONS: Complete this worksheet using the assigned Week 1 textbook readings as resources, along with your own thinking and analysis. Do not use outside resources. You may use brief quotations in your answers; however, the majority of each answer should be written in your own words. Cite the textbook as appropriate when quoting or paraphrasing (see examples below). Avoid plagiarism! Use good grammar and proper punctuation. Write in complete sentences. Use paragraph breaks where needed (do not put extra spaces between paragraphs—indent each paragraph). Write in third-person voice. If you have questions, ask! |

Do not reformat this worksheet and do not delete anything from it. | | Part A: Myth and Modern Culture | | Directions: Answer the following question in 300-450 words using several paragraphs. | | How is the word myth used popularly? For example, what does the statement, "It's a myth" mean? In contrast, how is the word myth used in the academic context? After considering the definition in your textbooks and course materials, write a definition in your own words. Type your answer in the box below. | ANSWER: In defining the word myth, it can be translated into several different definitions. It can be broken down into several different categories depending how you use the term. Most commonly, the term “myth” is typically used as word to describe a fictitious story. In modern day, the term myth would be defined by many people as what we now call a “lie”. Many companies use slogans that are at the most basic element a lie. For example, one of the most successful companies in the food and beverage industry is Red Bull and there pitch is that “Red Bull gives you wings.” Obviously, an energy drink does not give you wings, but it is used as a selling point that it give you a boost of energy. Another example would be is when someone is telling a story of an actual event that happened and they change one portion of the truth to either make the story more enticing or change the outcome. By changing, any facet of the truth then makes the story into a myth.In the academic definition of Myth, it has a deep history that can talk about people’s native culture, history and lives. Many myths written over the past millennia have been based around history and religion and typically are based around one of several different Gods or superlative beings. Many historians have been able to piece together portions of our history by studying the writing of several myths. Interpreting the term “myth” I believe has several different meanings but the one common theme in every definition is that in order to have a myth there needs to be elements of truth and elements that are made up in order to change the outcome of the story and to tell the story in authors expressed view. | xxx/300-450 words √ / X Content? √ / X Mechanics? √ / X | Points for Part I: xx/75 |

Part B: Mythological Themes | | Directions: Answer the following question in 300-450 words using several paragraphs. | | What are the most common mythological themes across different cultures? Why do myths from different cultures around the world address such similar or universal themes? Do we see these same themes in today's myths? Think about how myths explain the unknownand the tribulations of humankind. Type your answer in the box below. | ANSWER: To define the most common mythological themes across different cultures can be most commonly be broken down into six categories. Many myths throughout the world are based upon either Faith, Love, Fate, Sacrifice, Heroism or Generosity. In my belief, the reason many myths from different cultures around the world have universal themes is because every culture has the ability to feel all six emotions. In reading the most basic of stories or myths painted on the walls in caves or pyramids from thousands of years ago all have common themes, they describe a person or persons, love, war and faith. These stories are based upon factual events that have been interpreted by one person’s views. Typically, most ancient myth’s including various gods are based upon people’s beliefs that there is a supreme being. Greek mythology is perhaps the most famous form of mythology and it can be traced to different Gods that all ascertain different powers. The form of modern day myths have taken a different shape but are all based on the original concepts of myths. The most prominent myth is the belief in God. I am not saying there is or isn’t a God but all religions and cultures have their own beliefs based upon a supreme being. I believe the most prominent form of myth in current days is one story being passed from one person to the other. Such as the game telephone, when one person is told a story and it is retold there is a new element added to the story each time it is retold until it is eventually a completely new story. I believe that the mystery behind a myth is the fact that there is some elements of truth and some elements of fiction in which there is no correct or incorrect way to interpret the story. | xxx/300-450 words √ / X Content? √ / X Mechanics? √ / X | Points for Part I: xx/75 |

TOTAL Points for Foundations of Mythology Worksheet | Part A: xx/75 + Part B: xx/75 = xxx/150 = X | | Comments: xxx |

Here are examples of how to properly format in-text citations for the textbook in APA style:

…your words (Leonard & McClure, 2004).
“Quoted text” (Leonard & McClure, 2004, p. ?). [Include the page number when quoting.]
SEE REFERENCE PAGE BELOW.

Reference
Leonard, S. & McClure, M. (2004). Myth and knowing: An introduction to world mythology. Retrieved from the VitalSource Bookshelf.