English IIGT– Allusion Assignment
PURPOSE:
To understand words derived from mythology, the Bible, history, and literature that are commonly used as
allusions in literature.
METHOD:
Each six weeks you will be assigned ONE allusion to research and present to the class. This will count as a
double daily! It is your job to have a complete understanding of your individual allusion so that you can
help your classmates understand the meaning as well. To help facilitate this process, you must create a card
for each class member, including me, that relates pertinent information and provides a visual with which to
study by. There are 20 students + teacher in period 2 and 16 students + teacher in period 6. No, you are
not seeing things…that’s called an illusion; these are allusions and you must make several!! 
Card Dimensions:
 4 X 6 in size (or ¼ page computer print format) on card stock or index cards.
 You may hand draw on all cards, draw one and then Xerox copies, or create the card on computer
and then Xerox copies. It’s your choice.
Card Info:
 On the front side – the allusion word as well as a mnemonic device (pictorial representation).
Originality is highly regarded!! Remember, we should be able to look at the picture and make a
connection to the definition.
 On the back side , in numeric order –
1 – the part of speech and the MODERN/CURRENT Meaning of the word
2 – the Origin and History of the word (Write a brief summary, one or two sentences in
length, of the background of the word that explains its meaning.)
3 – a label of Historical, Biblical, Literary, or Mythological origin.
4 - your own original sentence using this word in context. Unless specifically
designated by teacher, create a mature compound-complex sentence*. Check spelling
and punctuation! Use well-selected vocabulary!
Underline both the subordinating and coordinating conjunctions.
One test will be administered each grading period and will be cumulative in nature. They will consist of matching,
multiple choice and fill in the blank, with a small section that requires YOU to construct a sentence with the word.
You will be graded on the following criteria:
Appropriate Modern Definition
Correct Part of Speech
Summarization of Word Origin &Label
Appropriate Mnemonic Device
CP/CX Sentence with Context Clues
Overall Aesthetics/Delivery
20 pts
5 pts
20 pts
20 pts
20 pts (10pts CP, 10pts CX)
15 pts
WOW ME!!!!
* A compound-complex sentence is comprised of at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
Example: Though Mitchell prefers watching romantic films, he rented the latest spy thriller, and he enjoyed it very much.
Example: Laura forgot her friend's birthday, so she sent her a card when she finally remembered.
First Six Weeks
1.
Adonic
Second Six Weeks
26. Job’s comforters
2. Armageddon
27. Jonah
3. Auroral
28. Jovial
4. Babel,Tower of
29. Judas
5. Bacchanalian
30. Laconic
6. Cain
31. Lethargy
7. Calliope
32. Lilliputian
8. Casanova
33. Machiavellian
9. Centaur
34. Malapropism
10. Chauvinist
35. Martial
11. Chimerical
36. Meander
12. Cupidity
37. Mentor
13. Delilah & Sampson
38. Mercurial
14. Don Juan
39. Mesmerize
15. Doubting Thomas
40. Mnemonics
16. Goliath
41. Muse
17. Good Samaritan
42. Narcissism
18. Gorgon
43. Nemesis
19. Halycon
44. Pandora’s Box
20. Handwriting on the wall
45. Philistine
21. Herculean
46. Plutocracy
22. Hydra-headed
47. Polyanna
23. Iridescent
48. Prodigal Son
24. Ishmael
49. Promethean
25. Jezebel
50. Protean