Mythology Tabloid Project
Purpose: Students will use their knowledge of Greek tragedies to create a tabloid article. By
completing this project, each student will gain an understanding of how a particular style
(both visual and written) is used to suit a particular purpose.
Inquiring Minds: Mythology Makes the Tabloids
Anyone who has spent time in his 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."
The Greek tragedies you have been reading provide bizarre stories for such
journalistic license: "Three-headed Dog Guards Portal to Underworld," "Flying Horse Helps
Hero." You will use existing details surrounding one of the tragic characters and create a
slant or bias within your article when presenting the controversy surrounding your main
character.
Examine some tabloids and complete the following activities as a group.
1. List some of the ways the front page works to sell the paper.
2. Review the “Bat Boy on the Loose” article and its attention-getting headline. Once you
read the article, discuss and record the differences in what the headline promises and what the
article actually says.
3. Tragedy Plus Headlines: Discuss the style and format of the tabloids and how mythology
lends itself to this kind of journalism. Brainstorm a list of possible headlines for a particular
tragedy (Antigone or Medea) and write them down.
4. List of Characters from Tragedy: Brainstorm and write down a list of characters from a
tragedy covered so far, (Antigone or Medea) who would lend themselves to a "juicy"
interview.
Complete the following activities as individuals:
1. Free write on a particular headline: Each student creates an inventive headline that
captures the controversy surrounding his/her character. Pre-write on this headline to get a
sense of what details of the story you will include in this tabloid. Sample headlines for
Oedipus could be the following: "Mysterious Murder of King Laius" or "Baby Found
Chained to Mountain top with Stake through its ankle!” “The Blind Prophet Tiresias
Uncovers True Murderer Of King Laius!”
2. Write Three Interview Questions for your Character: Each student should choose one
character. Pretend that you are a famous reporter and have been given an exclusive interview
with your character. What juicy information would your readers want to know? Write down
three interview questions. . For example, if interviewing Medea, maybe ask her the
following: “Why did you kill your brother to help Jason escape?”
3. Interpret what your character would say to a particular question Write as many direct
quotes as possible for your character (at least 6). For example, Medea might respond to the
question above “Why did you kill your brother to help Jason escape?” by saying she was
under Aphrodite’s spell and really didn’t care for Jason at all. You can continue to interpret
her reasoning here as part of the interview. Stick with the details; don’t change the details;
just interpret your character’s true intentions as much as you can given the play’s plot details.
MYTHOLOGY TABLOID ASSIGNMENT
Individual Assignments:
Create ONE tabloid article on ONE character from ONE tragic play.
It should be at least ONE page. One page--front and back--is equal to two pages.
Your tabloid should include the following minimum requirements:
1) Front page with headline.
2) Article with AT LEAST 3 quotes by any supporting character
3) Accurate & creative use of the play’s details with an overt tone/slant/bias.
4) Illustrations to enhance the tabloids “effect”.
Optional: You may also include obituaries, classified ads, an advice column, or
regular advertisements (not classified) that relate to your character’s time frame and
setting.
RUBRIC FOR TABLOID ON ANTIGONE OR MEDEA
Met the minimum requirements:
Creative Headline, 3 quotes minimum by
any supporting character
Visual Appeal: Creative layout & use
of illustrations and/or ads
Content:
Clear connection to plot of story; creative
use of the details from the play.
Slant/tone of Tabloid:
Creative use of slant or angle to enhance
the tabloid’s exposure of the main character;
Overt tone with clear opinions/bias.
WEAK
1
2
3
1
2
STRONG
4
5
3
2
4
6
8
10
2
4
6
8
10
TOTAL: ________/28
Ms. Hume – 10th English
Unit 3: The Tragic Play
RUBRIC FOR TABLOID ON ANTIGONE OR MEDEA
Met the minimum requirements:
Headline, 3 quotes minimum by
any supporting character
WEAK
1
2
STRONG
4
5
3
Visual Appeal: Creative layout & use
Of illustrations
1
2
Content:
Clear connection to plot of story; creative
use of the details from the play.
2
4
6
8
10
Slant/tone of Tabloid:
Creative use of slant or angle to enhance
the tabloid’s exposure of the main character;
Overt tone with clear opinions/bias expressed by
the author about the main character.
2
4
6
8
10
3
TOTAL:_____/28
Ms. Hume – 10th English
Unit 3: The Tragic Play
RUBRIC FOR TABLOID ON ANTIGONE OR MEDEA
Met the minimum requirements:
Headline, 3 quotes minimum by
any supporting character
WEAK
1
2
3
Visual Appeal: Creative layout & use
Of illustrations
1
2
Content:
Clear connection to plot of story; creative
use of the details from the play.
2
4
6
8
10
Slant/tone of Tabloid:
Creative use of slant or angle to enhance
the tabloid’s exposure of the main character;
Overt tone with clear opinions/bias expressed by
the author about the main character.
2
4
6
8
10
TOTAL:_____/28
STRONG
4
5
3