Download Creating a Greek Tabloid

Creating a Greek Tabloid
Anyone who has spent time in their 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." These absurd articles can actually pave the way
for an interesting mythology assignment, because the Greek myths you have been
reading/watching provide bizarre stories for such journalistic license: "Three-headed Dog
Guards Portal to Underworld", "Flying Horse Helps Hero." An interesting and fun group
project involves becoming a newspaper staff to produce a paper in the style of a tabloid.
Taking a few afternoons to explore different parts of the newspaper will help you
discover story ideas and sow the seeds for potential articles.
Begin with an examination and discussion of actual tabloids. Brainstorm with your
group: how does the front page sell the paper? After reading the various headlines, pick
one as a group and read the article inside. Once the article is read, discuss the differences
in what the headline promises and what the article actually says.
I. Headlines
Once you are comfortable with the style and format of the tabloids, identify how
mythology lends itself to this kind of journalism. The group can brainstorm a list of
possible headlines.
II. Interviews
Another prewriting idea to help you invent stories for articles requires a prompt like this
one: "You are a famous reporter and have been given an exclusive interview with
_________. What juicy information would your readers want to know?" You can choose
any mythological character to fill in the blank, or the group can brainstorm a list of names
like Medusa, Orpheus, Daedalus, King Minos, etc.
III. Quotes
Designed to inspire quotes in interviews, this activity can also generate dialogue for
stories. Put the names of mythological characters on a sheet of paper and have group
members draw one out of a hat. Ask them to write as many direct quotes as possible for
that character. For example, the Cyclops might be overhead saying, "I've had my eye on
Odysseus for a while." Five minutes of prewriting can generate a variety of quotes.
IV. Stories/Articles
This activity allows your group to collaborate on a story. Using information provided in
class (as well as researched at home), you can create stories based on the personalities,
faults, strengths and issues of mythological Greek gods and heroes.
V. Advertisements
What product would a specific mythological character advertise? Popular ads might
include beauty products, florists, automobiles, speedy services, clothes or bottled water.
Use colored markers/crayons to illustrate.
VI. "Dear Aphrodite"
Once you develop a feeling for the style of writing used in tabloids, use that style to write
"Dear Aphrodite" letters, complete with answers from the love goddess, in the style of
"Dear Abby.”
VII. Letters to the Editor
Brainstorm specific myths that match modern editorial topics. Some examples of topics
and myths are theft (Jason and the Golden Fleece), drinking (Polyphemus and Odysseus),
marital problems (Zeus and Hera) and kidnapping (Hades and Persephone). Create four
to five letters to the editor.
VIII. Classified Advertisements
The question, "What would a mythological character have to sell?" provides the impetus
for creating ads for your tabloid. Make your own lists which might include thunderbolts,
archery lessons, love potions, dating services, marriage counseling or muscle fitness.
IX. Obituaries
A newspaper isn¹t complete without an obituary column. For this activity, brainstorm a
list of heroes in mythology that might include Odysseus, Hercules, Achilles or Jason.
Create the details of the hero’s in an obituary format.
Grading Rubric 100 pts
I. Headlines
10 pts
Minimum of five (5) headlines
 Must also have cover illustration(s) and title
II. Interviews
10 pts
Minimum of two (2) interviews in the format of your choosing:
a) celebrity-style (E network) interview
b) Cribs/Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous interview
(Interviews need to be at least ½ page in length….typed)
(must use different people)
III. Quotes
5 pts
Minimum of five (5) quotes that may be dispersed throughout the tabloid (except interviews)
(quotes need to be from different people)
IV. Stories/Articles
15 pts
Minimum of Three (3) stories related to Greek gods and/or heroes
(stories need to be at least ½ page in length….typed…..must use different people)
V. Advertisements
10 pts
Minimum of Two (2) advertisements placed throughout the tabloid
(Ads should include some sort of visual)
VI. Dear Aphrodite
10 pts
Minimum of Two (2) letters and answers
(At least two paragraph letter and one paragraph response)
VII. Letter to the Editor
10 pts
Minimum of Two (1) letters
(need to be at least ½ page in length ….typed)
VIII. Classifieds
10 pts
Minimum of five (5) classifieds in a separate classifieds section
IX. Obituaries
10 pts
Minimum of two (2) obituaries in a separate obituary section
XI. Creativity/Color
10 pts
TOTAL POINTS 100