WLIT 231: Mythology (CRN 58)
MWF 9:00-9:50, SCHU 101

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Paper Assignment

For this assignment, you will create a Mythlopedia-style paper about a figure (god, hero, monster, creature, etc.) from any mythology besides classical mythology. See the below for a list of possible topics. If you have difficulty choosing one, see me. If you’re not sure that your choice is acceptable, ask me. Here are the basic parameters for the assignment:

• You must choose a single figure to be the focus of the paper, though you will likely need to introduce other figures as well (as is the case in each of the Mythlopedia entries in your book).
• You must include a profile similar to that in each of the entries. It should include a list of aliases, powers, attributes, and family, friends, flings and foes, as applicable (not all figures will have the same types of characteristics, as you can see from looking through the Mythlopedia book).
• You must include a top 10 things to know about the character.
• You must include a minimum of 3 vignettes about the character and may include a maximum of 6. Each vignette should have its own title.
• The paper must be presented in first person like the Mythlopedia entries (i.e. present the paper as if you are the character being presented).
• The paper itself should bear the name of your figure as the title (e.g. Bast, Thor, Sende).
• You must use a minimum of 3 sources, 2 of which must be print sources. You may NOT use Wikipedia as a source for your paper, though you may wish to start there and use its external links to lead you to other, more reliable sources. The sources must be presented as a Works Cited page separate from the main document.
• When you are using the sources in your paper, you must put exact quotes in quotation marks and cite the source (using the documentation style you are working with). Though traditionally you should also cite paraphrases and summaries, given the nature of the assignment, you will not be required to cite them. Make sure that all paraphrases and summaries are done correctly (don’t plagiarize, in other words). See me if you want to double check that you have done your source work correctly.
• The paper should be about 4 pages long and no more than 10 pages long.
• You may get creative in your formatting of the paper, but if you choose not to be creative, you should follow MLA formatting for the paper (or another format such as APA or Chicago if you talk to me about it ahead of time).
• You may submit a draft to me prior to the due date, but you must give me a minimum of 24 hours to read through the paper.
• The Grammar and Mechanics policy explained on your policy statement will be applied to this assignment.
• This paper is due on Friday, April 17, by 5 in my office. You may submit it as an e-mail attachment in PDF or a Microsoft Office format (Word, PowerPoint, etc.). Check to make sure you receive a response from me confirming receipt of the file—I will notify you as soon as I successfully open the file that I have received it, within 24 hours.

Possible Topics for the Paper Assignment (you do not have to choose from this list)

African: (Note that this list incorporates figures from a variety of African cultures.) Amma/Olorun, Mulungu, Ala, Cagn, Eshu, Katonda, Kibuka, Leza, Mujaji, Nyame, Ogun

Aztec: Nanahuatzin, Coatlicue, Huitzilopochtli, Ometecuhtli, Quetzalcoatl, Tezcatlipoca, Tlaloc, Xipe Totec

Celtic: Deirdre, Conchobhar, Lug/Lugus, Morrigan, Badb, Nemain, Brigit, Epona, Dagda, Danu, Finn

Egyptian: Bast, Geb, Thoth, Ra, Horus, Isis, Set, Sekhmet, Osiris, Nut, Hathor, Ptah, Anubis, Atum

Hindu: Brahma, Devi, Ganesha, Shiva, Indra, Varuna, Vishnu, Parvati, Lakshmi, Rama, Manu, Gaya

Japanese: Amaterasu, Hachiman, Inari, Izanagi, Izanami, Kagutsuchi, Susano-ô, Tsuki-yomi, Ôkuninushi

Mayan: Ah Puch (Yum Cimil), Chac, Cizin (Kisin), Hun-Hunahpú (Ah Mun), Hunahpú, Xbalanqúe, Itzamná, Ixchel, Kinich Ahua, Kukulcan (Quetzalcoatl)

Native American: (Note that this list incorporates figures from a variety of Native American cultures.) Igaluk, Tirawa, Wakan Tanka, Napi, Coyote, Spider Woman, Gluskap, Raven, Rabbit, Nanabozho, Saynday/Sende, Kokopelli

Norse: Thor, Loki, Odin, Balder, Bragi, Fenrir, Freyja, Freyr, Frigg, Heimdall, Hel, Idun, Jormungand, Mimir, Njord, Tyr, Ymir

Persian: Ahura Mazda, Ahriman, Verethraghna, Anahita, Traetaona, Azhi Dahaka, Keresaspa, Bahram Gur, Rustum,

Polynesian: Maui, Haumia, Kamapua'a, Kane, Ku, Lono, Oro, Pele, Rongo, Tawhiri, Tu

Many of the names above may be spelled differently by different authors.

There are many other mythologies and figures from which to choose, so if you don’t see what most interests you on this list, please contact me to discuss the figure you would like to research.

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