Lesson 1: What is a Myth?
Discuss and brainstorm with students:
Write definitions on the board for students to copy into their exercise books:
A myth is a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.
Some of the literary conventions of myths are:
1. Myths teach a lesson or explain the natural world.
2. Myths have gods and goddesses.
3. The gods and goddesses are superhuman.
4. The gods and goddesses have human emotions.
5. Myths contain magic or supernatural powers.
6. Gods and goddesses often appear in disguise.
7. Good is rewarded and evil is punished.
8. Myths can be violent.
Move discussion on.
Students to copy the following into their workbooks:
Cosmogonic myths are creation stories which are symbolic narratives of specific cultures, traditions or people that describes their earliest beginnings.
Their job is to provide people with an understanding of their God or gods, how their world was created and their place in the world.
- What is a Myth?
- What is the function of a myth? What is their purpose?
- What are some of the myths students are familiar with? (Be specific and write myths on the board for students to copy into their books later)
- How do we know when a piece of writing is a myth? (What are the literary conventions of myths?)
Write definitions on the board for students to copy into their exercise books:
A myth is a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.
Some of the literary conventions of myths are:
1. Myths teach a lesson or explain the natural world.
2. Myths have gods and goddesses.
3. The gods and goddesses are superhuman.
4. The gods and goddesses have human emotions.
5. Myths contain magic or supernatural powers.
6. Gods and goddesses often appear in disguise.
7. Good is rewarded and evil is punished.
8. Myths can be violent.
Move discussion on.
- What are Cosmogonic Myths?
- What is the function of Cosmogonic Myths?
Students to copy the following into their workbooks:
Cosmogonic myths are creation stories which are symbolic narratives of specific cultures, traditions or people that describes their earliest beginnings.
Their job is to provide people with an understanding of their God or gods, how their world was created and their place in the world.