Edith Hamilton's Mythology Tabloid Project

Mythology Tabloid Project Purpose: Students will use their knowledge of Greek tragedies to create a tabloid article. By completing this project, each student will gain an understanding of how a particular style (both visual and written) is used to suit a particular purpose.

Inquiring Minds: Mythology Makes the Tabloids Anyone who has spent time in his local supermarket has seen the latest tabloid headlines: "Rabbit-Faced Baby Born to Buck-Toothed Mom" or "Aliens Abduct Man and Return Him to Earth 100 Years Later." The Greek tragedies you have been reading provide bizarre stories for such journalistic license: "Three-headed Dog Guards Portal to Underworld," "Flying Horse Helps Hero." You will use existing details surrounding one of the tragic characters and create a slant or bias within your article when presenting the controversy surrounding your main character. Examine some tabloids and complete the following activities as a group. 1. List some of the ways the front page works to sell the paper. 2. Review the “Bat Boy on the Loose” article and its attention-getting headline. Once you read the article, discuss and record the differences in what the headline promises and what the article actually says. 3. Tragedy Plus Headlines: Discuss the style and format of the tabloids and how mythology lends itself to this kind of journalism. Brainstorm a list of possible headlines for a particular tragedy (Antigone or Medea) and write them down. 4. List of Characters from Tragedy: Brainstorm and write down a list of characters from a tragedy covered so far, (Antigone or Medea) who would lend themselves to a "juicy" interview. Complete the following activities as individuals: 1. Free write on a particular headline: Each student creates an inventive headline that captures the controversy surrounding his/her character. Pre-write on this headline to get a sense of what details of the story you will include in this tabloid. Sample headlines for Oedipus could be the following: "Mysterious Murder of King Laius" or "Baby Found Chained to Mountain top with Stake through its ankle!” “The Blind Prophet Tiresias Uncovers True Murderer Of King Laius!” 2. Write Three Interview Questions for your Character: Each student should choose one character. Pretend that you are a famous reporter and have been given an exclusive interview with your character. What juicy information would your readers want to know? Write down three interview questions. . For example, if interviewing Medea, maybe ask her the following: “Why did you kill your brother to help Jason escape?”

3. Interpret what your character would say to a particular question Write as many direct quotes as possible for your character (at least 6). For example, Medea might respond to the question above “Why did you kill your brother to help Jason escape?” by saying she was under Aphrodite’s spell and really didn’t care for Jason at all. You can continue to interpret her reasoning here as part of the interview. Stick with the details; don’t change the details; just interpret your character’s true intentions as much as you can given the play’s plot details.

MYTHOLOGY TABLOID ASSIGNMENT Individual Assignments: Create ONE tabloid article on ONE character from ONE tragic play. It should be at least ONE page. One page--front and back--is equal to two pages. Your tabloid should include the following minimum requirements: 1) Front page with headline. 2) Article with AT LEAST 3 quotes by any supporting character 3) Accurate & creative use of the play’s details with an overt tone/slant/bias. 4) Illustrations to enhance the tabloids “effect”. Optional: You may also include obituaries, classified ads, an advice column, or regular advertisements (not classified) that relate to your character’s time frame and setting. RUBRIC FOR TABLOID ON ANTIGONE OR MEDEA

Met the minimum requirements: Creative Headline, 3 quotes minimum by any supporting character Visual Appeal: Creative layout & use of illustrations and/or ads Content: Clear connection to plot of story; creative use of the details from the play. Slant/tone of Tabloid: Creative use of slant or angle to enhance the tabloid’s exposure of the main character; Overt tone with clear opinions/bias.

WEAK 1 2

3

1

2

STRONG 4 5 3

2

4

6

8

10

2

4

6

8

10

TOTAL: ________/28

Ms. Hume – 10th English Unit 3: The Tragic Play RUBRIC FOR TABLOID ON ANTIGONE OR MEDEA

Met the minimum requirements: Headline, 3 quotes minimum by any supporting character

WEAK 1 2

STRONG 4 5

3

Visual Appeal: Creative layout & use Of illustrations

1

2

Content: Clear connection to plot of story; creative use of the details from the play.

2

4

6

8

10

Slant/tone of Tabloid: Creative use of slant or angle to enhance the tabloid’s exposure of the main character; Overt tone with clear opinions/bias expressed by the author about the main character.

2

4

6

8

10

3

TOTAL:_____/28 Ms. Hume – 10th English Unit 3: The Tragic Play RUBRIC FOR TABLOID ON ANTIGONE OR MEDEA

Met the minimum requirements: Headline, 3 quotes minimum by any supporting character

WEAK 1 2

3

Visual Appeal: Creative layout & use Of illustrations

1

2

Content: Clear connection to plot of story; creative use of the details from the play.

2

4

6

8

10

Slant/tone of Tabloid: Creative use of slant or angle to enhance the tabloid’s exposure of the main character; Overt tone with clear opinions/bias expressed by the author about the main character.

2

4

6

8

10

TOTAL:_____/28

STRONG 4 5

3