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Foundations of Mythology
Shelby Atkinson
HUM/105
November 23, 2019
Patricia Gordon
, 2
Foundations of Mythology
How is the word myth used popularly? For example, what does the statement, "It's
a myth" mean? In contrast, how is the word myth used in the academic context? After
considering the definition in your textbooks and course materials, write a definition in
your own words.
A myth is perceived very differently depending on where a person lives, their culture,
values, and lifestyles. The word myth is used most popularly in tales and stories. These tales and
stories have been passed down from generation to generation and are based on some truth, but
mostly an idea or common theme. In the world we live in today knowledge and facts are a way
of life. I find myself encountering myths of different nature, Applebee’s giving away free food,
Apple giving away free products just copy and re-post, etc. The statement “it’s a myth” means
that a tale or story may be based on some truth, but that it is also based on fiction. For example,
if one of your friends told you that they saw a UFO it would be hard to believe them because
you did not witness this event and perhaps because you friends does not have any tangible proof
of its existence. In contrast, while the term myth can be used in a variety of academic settings, its
main purpose is to analyze different cultures and their ways of thinking. Within the academic
setting, a myth is known as a true fact and over time has been changed through the many
different views within a society as an effort to answer the questions of human existence. My
simple definition of myth is an exaggerated story that has been told from generation to
generation meant to teach or persuade something and is based on real events but embellished due
to lack of recorded detail.
Foundations of Mythology
Shelby Atkinson
HUM/105
November 23, 2019
Patricia Gordon
, 2
Foundations of Mythology
How is the word myth used popularly? For example, what does the statement, "It's
a myth" mean? In contrast, how is the word myth used in the academic context? After
considering the definition in your textbooks and course materials, write a definition in
your own words.
A myth is perceived very differently depending on where a person lives, their culture,
values, and lifestyles. The word myth is used most popularly in tales and stories. These tales and
stories have been passed down from generation to generation and are based on some truth, but
mostly an idea or common theme. In the world we live in today knowledge and facts are a way
of life. I find myself encountering myths of different nature, Applebee’s giving away free food,
Apple giving away free products just copy and re-post, etc. The statement “it’s a myth” means
that a tale or story may be based on some truth, but that it is also based on fiction. For example,
if one of your friends told you that they saw a UFO it would be hard to believe them because
you did not witness this event and perhaps because you friends does not have any tangible proof
of its existence. In contrast, while the term myth can be used in a variety of academic settings, its
main purpose is to analyze different cultures and their ways of thinking. Within the academic
setting, a myth is known as a true fact and over time has been changed through the many
different views within a society as an effort to answer the questions of human existence. My
simple definition of myth is an exaggerated story that has been told from generation to
generation meant to teach or persuade something and is based on real events but embellished due
to lack of recorded detail.
