Name: _____________________________________ Period: ________

Writing a Myth
Myths explain the existence of something in today’s natural world while conveying the values and beliefs of a
particular culture. For example, “Loo-Wit, The Fire Keeper” explains how certain mountains and volcanoes were
created, and it also conveys the values of the Native American culture. Write an original creation myth following
the writing process. Be sure to include all the elements of a myth: characters, setting, conflict, and plot.

1. Selecting a Culture:
Pick a culture with which you are extremely familiar (either your own, or one you’ve studied extensively).
Brainstorm the things that are valued by this culture. Use these values to develop your thematic statement and
your characters, and weave these elements throughout your myth.

My myth will be based in the ____________________________ culture.

2. Selecting a Topic:
Choose something you’ve wondered about, something that interests you, or something that you think might be
enjoyable to write about to use as the basis for your own creation myth. For example, you might write about:

! how cats got their tails

! how the sun came into being
! why the moon disappears once a month
! why giraffes have long necks
! why dogs bark instead of chirp
! why penguins can’t fly

In many creation myths, something is created as a solution (either wanted or unwanted) to a problem. Also, the
thing that is created is often the result of foolishness on the part of either the creator or itself (for example, evil
emotions exist because of Pandora’s curiosity).

I will write a myth that explains _____________________________________________________________.

3. Pick a Theme:
You must pick a thematic statement either on your own or out of the options on page 3 to guide your story.
Remember that a thematic statement is the author’s (your) message about life or human nature. It should be
conveyed through the characteristics and actions of your protagonist.

My story’s theme is: ______________________________________________________________________.

4. Developing a Plot:
Plan your myth using the questions on pg. 4 as a guide. This must be finished by _____________________ at the
_______________ of class.

5. Writing your Rough Draft and Proofreading the Story:

Write a 1-2 page (front and back is one page) rough draft of your story IN PENCIL. On Monday you will peer edit a
rough draft for errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and word usage.

Your final draft must be 2 pages typed, double space, 12 pt. Times New Roman font. It is due
____________________________ at the beginning of class.

1
Name: _____________________________________ Period: ________

Content Grading Rubric

Area Criteria Score

Culture Writer consistently and accurately conveys

the values and beliefs of their selected
_____/20
culture.

Exposition The beginning of the story introduces the

character, setting, and conflict of the story. _____/20

Climax The conflict develops to a point of highest

tension in the story. A turning point is easily
_____/20
identifiable.

Resolution The story comes to a conclusion that clearly

explains the creation of something. Most
_____/20
loose ends are tied up.

Theme The story clearly delivers the intended

theme about life or human nature. _____/20

TOTAL: _____/100

Mechanics Grading Rubric

4 3 2 1
Story is spelled, Story is mostly Many spelling, Very little of the
capitalized, and spelled, capitalization, story has been
punctuated capitalized, and and punctuation spelled,
correctly. Few to punctuated errors have been capitalized, or
no errors have correctly. Some detected. punctuated
been detected. errors have been correctly.
detected. Mechanical
errors inhibit the
readers’ ability
to follow the
story.

2
Name: _____________________________________ Period: ________

Thematic Statements

Choose a theme below that you will convey in your myth. Feel free to pick one on your own, but
make sure to get it approved "

1. Greed can destroy you.

2. Never lose hope.

3. Every reward involves a risk.

4. Jealousy can cause lasting damage to individuals and

relationships.

5. Respect yourself and others.

6. Racism is caused by ignorance and insecurity.

7. Change can be both necessary and scary.

The theme I selected is____________________________________________________.

How will you teach this theme/lesson in your myth?

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

3
Name: _____________________________________ Period: ________
Creation Myth Planning Sheet

How will you introduce the characters and setting in your story? What details will you include to make sure the

culture you selected will be clear?

What is the main problem your character(s) will have in this story? How will this problem lead to the creation at

the end of your myth? (Keep in mind this creation doesn’t exist at the start of your story, your story explains its

creation!)

How will you introduce this problem into the story? Remember, you should introduce the problem early on and the

rising action should show ways your character deals with the problem.

What will the climax of your story be? Remember – the climax isn’t necessarily the most exciting part, instead it is

where your main character makes a major change that deals with solving the problem

What events/attempts will your protagonist face in order to solve the problem throughout the story? This is your

rising action (it will happen before the climax).

The falling action is the events that help wrap up the story. What events will happen in the falling action of your

story?

How will you end your story?

Once you’ve finished your planning sheet, start your rough draft on
4
notebook paper!