Introduction
Today's headlines often read like larger-than-life stories. Stories written in the mainstream press about our society are supposed to catch our attention, but they sometimes stretch the truth by manipulating facts and grab the reader with a misleading headline. They are, in effect, modern-day Tall Tales. In this WebQuest, you will be able to help the news in its effort to become a Tall Tale.
Task
Your assignment is to choose a news story from today's headlines and use it to create a Tall Tale. You must follow a rubric and use alliteration and hyperbole in your story. The result will be an exaggerated version of the news, complete with any imaginative elements you choose to create and include. Make sure to add descriptive words and sensory details.
Process
1. First, you must learn what a Tall Tale is and the characteristics of a good Tall Tale. To do that, and for some examples of American Tall Tales, click here. Check out the library to read more examples of tall tales.
2. Next, you will need the definition of alliteration, and hyperbole, and the rules of punctuation concerning quotation marks.
3. Compare and Contrast Two Tall Tale Characters. Pick two tall tale characters and analyze how they were alike and different. First start by identifying the story elements (Main characters, Setting, Beginning, Middle, End) of the tall tales. What parts of their stories make them a tall tale? What exaggerations are made? Do you think a tall tale is similar to a person who is a legend? Another name for a hero is a legend. Do you think either of your characters were heroes? Why or why not? Do you think authors of the tall tales did research? Why? Do you think either character originated from a true story and then was exaggerated?Use a VENN DIAGRAM in Inspiration software to compare the two tales.
4. Surf the web for stories. You may browse newspapers from all over the world by clicking here. You may choose a story from any country; however, it will be easier to write a story about Canada because the context is familiar. For other newspapers (and sports stories), go to the Resources section.
- Remember, the story you will create will contain the fabric of your chosen news story as a framework, but you may make up wild and wacky elements to turn it into a Tall Tale.
5. Print a copy (or get a copy from your teacher) of the Tall Tales Checklist.
6. Turn in your checklist with your Tall Tale.
7. Begin to create your story using Microsoft Publisher. Your final product must be typed, and must include either a picture or clip art.
Check out the Evaluation Rubric for this part of the project
- CNN -- CNN will give you comprehensive list of stories from today's news
- The Edmonton Sun
- The Edmonton Journal
- The New York Post -- This newspaper showcases scandalous, wild and weird news angles.
- The National Enquirer -- If you are looking for a story on celebrities, this is the site for you.
- ESPN -- Did You Know? You cannot go wrong creating a Tall Tale from a sports story.
Conclusion
When you complete this project, you will have an understanding of just how easy it is to twist and stretch facts to create an entertaining story. Try turning another news story about a different subject (for example, if you wrote about politics this time, next time try sports, or the environment) into a Tall Tale. Or try the reverse -- read a Tall Tale and turn it into a news story using the 5 Ws (what, when, where, who and why).
Credits
This Webquest was adapted from a webquest created by Todd Sherman Daniel Boone Middle School.