English I: Mythology Project
Due Wednesday, November 28 (A) and Thursday, November 29 (B)
OBJECTIVES:

Research and identify significant features of a character from Greek mythology

Integrate knowledge of mythology with understanding of elements of persuasion

Effectively design, implement, and present an effective campaign advertisement

Compose and deliver an effective/persuasive speech to prove your point of view

Write a reflective piece on your learning
DIRECTIONS:
For your major project on our mythology/elements of persuasion unit, you will create a campaign advertisement and campaign
speech for a mythological character of your choosing. You will reflect on and present your advertisement and speech in class on the
project due date.
1. Identify and research information about a mythological character of your choice (see back for options). If you would
like to use a character we have not discussed in class, you must ask Ms. Sho for permission beforehand.
2. Decide which political office your character would best serve. See back of handout for options. You should research
these positions to decide which position is most appropriate for your character.
3. Create a campaign poster endorsing your character. Consider the symbolism/associations of colors, object placement,
font style/size, objects, etc. Your poster must display the name of your character and the position he/she is seeking.
Posters must be at least 14”x22”. Review examples from PowerPoint before creating.
4. Outline and write a speech for your character (delivered in 1 st person point of view). Your speech should cover your
character’s strengths, as relevant for the position. You may consider discussing known weaknesses and how your
character plans on overcoming those weaknesses within the position. Speeches must be 3-5 minutes long, and should be
rehearsed. Write and speak with power.
5. Type a one-page reflective essay (with MLA formatting) on what you learned about elements of persuasion and
mythology through this project. Write using formal language and the conventions of academic writing.
6. Bring your poster, typed speech, and typed reflection essay to class on the due date.
ASSESSMENT:
Your project will be based on:
1) Level of understanding demonstrated—concerning both persuasion and mythology
2) Creative effort
3) Quality and effectiveness of speech
4) Amount of reflection present in essay (with appropriate content, organization, grammar, and MLA)
Character Options:
Zeus
Artemis
Eros
Herakles
Calypso
Hades
Apollo
Psyche
Atlas
Circe
Poseidon
Hestia
Demeter
Sisyphus
Laertes
Hera
Ares
Dionysus
Odysseus
Helen
Athena
Hermes
Pan
Penelope
Agamemnon
Aphrodite
Hephaestus
Persephone
Telemachus
Political Office Options:
U.S. Senator
Attorney General
President
State Representative
County Commissioners
Vice President
School Board Member/President
County Manager
County Coroner
School Superintendent
Commissioner of Agriculture
County Clerk
Mayor
Commissioner of Labor
Clerk of Superior Court
Governor
Commissioner of Insurance
Sheriff
Lieutenant Governor
Auditor
Judges
Treasurer
Secretary of State
STUMP SPEECHES
A stump speech is a speech that a political candidate makes on a campaign tour (Dictionary.com). The word comes
from the 19th century, when politicians would literally stand on tree stumps to give speeches to towns. These speeches
were often memorized, and would be recited to towns across a particular region.
Here are some tips for writing an effective stump speech, taken from a political strategy website, LocalVictory.com.
http://www.localvictory.com/communications/stump-speech-guide.html
How to Write a Stump Speech that Works: Great stump speeches take time, thought, and practice. Here are five ways to
make sure that your stump speech works:
1. Focus on Your Message
Everything in your campaign needs to be focused on your campaign message. It’s no different with your speeches…
make sure they are squarely focused on your campaign message, and the issues that support your message.
If you think your campaign message is about crime and safety, yet your off-the-cuff remarks spend 90% of their time
delving into the economy, you can bet the voters are going to think your campaign is about the economy, not crime.
2. Be Logical
People find it hard to follow speeches that don’t follow a logical progression. If you’re talking about your background
and why you are a good fit for the job, don’t veer off on a tangent about the line-item veto before getting back to your
bio. If you say you have a three point program, give all three points, without having any of those points use “subpoints.” Remember, you may have heard this speech a hundred times, but it has to make sense to someone hearing it
for the first time.
3. Beware of Comedy and Satire
Be very, very careful when using comedy and satire in your stump speech. Yes, a couple of funny lines here and there
can bring some levity to your talk and make the crowd more receptive to your message… but a long comedic
monologue will leave them wondering if you are really a serious candidate.
Likewise, beware of comedy or satire that can be misconstrued. Don’t use mocking tones, and don’t “pretend” to be
your opponent by satirically spouting off her positions. The audience may not get it.
4. Be Passionate!
Ronald Reagan. Barack Obama. Bill Clinton. Teddy Roosevelt. Love their policies or hate them, each regularly gave
speeches that were memorable because they were passionate. Bring the passion you feel for the issues you are
advancing to your stump speech. If you’re not excited, why should voters be?
5. Err on the Short Side
Your stump speech shouldn’t be too short… if it is, people will wonder why they bothered coming out to your
campaign rally. That being said, your speech definitely should not be too long. There’s only one thing worse than a
candidate that steps up to the microphone and gives a 60 second speech… a candidate that stands up at a dinner and
talks for an hour. If you have to choose whether to talk too long or too short, pick too short… your audience has a short
attention span. Just make sure your speech is remarkable, no matter the length. (For this project, 3-5 minutes is your
time frame).
Example Outline for a Stump Speech
I. Welcome/ Introduction to yourself/ Mission Statement (sometimes an anecdote—very brief story—is
effective here)
II. Describe situation you want to change/strengthen—big picture!
III. Tell where existing situation leads (warn the audience) by offering facts
IV. Explain how/why the situation will lead to that point
V. Describe what your opponents want (you can name your opponent)and why that’s wrong
VI. Tell what you want to do about the situation, specifically—what’s your plan?
VII. List the people who support and believe in you
VIII. Urge your audience to vote for you and repeat your mission statement