Allusion Project

An allusion is defined as “a casual reference in literature to a person, place, event, or another passage of
literature, often without explicit identification.” Allusions can originate in mythology, biblical references,
historical events, contemporary events, or legends. Authors often use allusions to establish a tone, to create an
implied association, to contrast two objects or people, to make an unusual juxtaposition of references, or to
bring the reader into a world of experience outside the limitations of the story itself. Authors assume that the
readers will recognize the original sources and relate their meaning to the new context.

Requirements

A. You will identify one SCHOOL APPROPRIATE song that contains an allusion from one of the following
categories:

 Literary  Biblical  Mythological  Historical

B. Create a presentation using one of the following:

 Prezi  PowerPoint  Poster board

C. Your presentation must include the following components:

 An excerpt from the song that contains the allusion

 Background and origin of the allusion NO WIKIPEDIA
 Relevant pictures
 Complete the following framed paragraph based on the listed questions:
The purpose of this song is to 1. . The intended audience, 2. , might
associate the allusion to 3. with 4. ,
, and because 5.
. This association suits the purpose
of the creators of the song because it causes the audience to 6. .

1. What is the purpose of this song? (What does the creator of the song want the audience to do?)
2. Who is the intended audience? (Identify the kinds of people to whom the song appeals.)
3. What is being alluded to? (Name the allusion and its source.)
4. What are the qualities associated with the allusion?
(List three abstract nouns expressing feelings or ideas associated with the allusion.)
5. Explain how the allusion is associated with these feelings or ideas.
6. How does this association suit the purpose of the creator of the song?
(What does the allusion and its associations make the intended audience want to do?)

D. Your presentation will be accompanied by a hard copy of your outline indicating the order and content of
your presentation. In addition, you will need to provide a works cited page identifying all sources (including
pictures) from which you borrowed information and included it in your project.
Name:_____________________________
Allusion Rubric

Category 50 30 15 0
Visual Exceptional attention Visually pleasing for 3-4 details could Appeared careless or
was given to details. the most part, but 1-2 have been refined for messy. Many details
Presentation Outstanding quality! details could have a more attractive needed refinement
been refined for a product. Average for a strong or
more attractive quality. attractive product.
product! Good Poor quality.
quality!

Content Comprehensive Good research. Limited research; Research lacking;

research; Demonstrated a Demonstrated very Demonstrated little
Demonstrated clear fairly accurate limited or inaccurate to no understanding
and accurate understanding of the understanding of the of the allusions
understanding of the allusions assigned allusions assigned assigned and their
allusions assigned and their meaning. and their meaning. meaning. Details
and their meaning. General information and explanations
was given, but were vague or
details were lacking. missing.

Mechanics No errors in No more than 2 No more than 4 More than 5 errors in

grammar, spelling, errors in grammar, errors in grammar, grammar, spelling,
punctuation, or spelling, punctuation, spelling, punctuation, punctuation, or
usage. or usage. or usage. usage.

Works Cited All sources used in Some sources used in Missing most No works were cited.
presentation were presentation were sources or sources
listed in proper listed in proper were not listed in
format, including format, including proper format.
research information research information
sites, images, and sites, images, and
videos. videos.

Total:___________/200