Creating your own Oral Tradition

Creating your own Oral Tradition

Ms. Colvin

Use your notes on fables, fairytales, legends, and myths to help you create your own oral tradition. You need to adhere to the definition of the type you choose to write. You may use personal experience if you wish, and you may assign people you know to characters. Nobody needs to know if you wish to use this method, so please use different names.

Create a story that is three pages in length, double-spaced. If you are writing this by hand make sure you skip lines, and only write on one side of the paper. If you are typing this, make sure it is in times new roman, 12pt font, and double-spaced. MAKE SURE YOU USE THE PROPER HEADING IN THE TOP RIGHT CORNER (name, class period, date, assignment title- Create own Oral Tradition).

This will be due Friday September 14^th. You will have time in class to do this after the test on Tuesday and all period on Wednesday and Thursday. We will be using these fables to begin our grammar unit, so make sure you write something that is appropriate and can be shared with others.

Quick Reference:

Definitions of types of oral tradition

Myth: Usually true in its original form, takes place long ago, usually non-human characters, takes place out of this world, usually sacred or spiritual.

Example: “White Buffalo Calf Woman”

Legend: Considered to be true, takes place in the world as we know it, characters tend to be human, characters usually become bigger than life through the years.

Example: “Johnny Appleseed”

Fables: Main purpose is to teach a lesson or a moral, characters can be human or animals.

Example: “The Monkey and the Crocodile”

Folktale/Fairytale: Considered to be untrue, human or non-human characters, most of these stories take place in a symbolic setting (i.e. In a land far, far away…In the deep, dark woods…etc.)

Example: “Little Red Riding Hood”

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Recognition of Reader (Voice)	The reader's questions are anticipated and answered thoroughly and completely.	The reader's questions are anticipated and answered to some extent.	The reader is left with one or two questions. More information is needed to "fill in the blanks".	The reader is left with several questions.
Sequencing (Organization)	Details are placed in a logical order and the way they are presented effectively keeps the interest of the reader.	Details are placed in a logical order, but the way in which they are presented/introduced sometimes makes the writing less interesting.	Some details are not in a logical or expected order, and this distracts the reader.	Many details are not in a logical or expected order. There is little sense that the writing is organized.
Word Choice	Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind, and the choice and placement of the words seems accurate, natural and not forced.	Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind, but occasionally the words are used inaccurately or seem overdone.	Writer uses words that communicate clearly, but the writing lacks variety, punch or flair.	Writer uses a limited vocabulary that does not communicate strongly or capture the reader's interest. Jargon or cliches may be present and detract from the meaning.
Capitalization & Punctuation (Conventions)	Writer makes no errors in capitalization or punctuation, so the paper is exceptionally easy to read.	Writer makes 1 or 2 errors in capitalization or punctuation, but the paper is still easy to read.	Writer makes a few errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader's attention and interrupt the flow.	Writer makes several errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader's attention and greatly interrupt the flow.
Grammar & Spelling (Conventions)	Writer makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Writer makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Writer makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.