Update Jan. 16

By today, you should have read up through page 88 of Huck Finn. Today in class we discussed our writing assignment (see details below). We also read a sample satirical article on gun control (http://www.theonion.com/articles/nra-sets-1000-killed-in-school-shooting-as-amount,28352/). We examined the way in which the author indirectly criticized various parts of the NRA's stance on gun control. We also noted that there is a difference between satire which tears down and satire that builds up. This article seems to represent the former, whereas "A Modest Proposal" is the latter.

Homework: Work on your own "Modest Proposal" imitation article.


A Modest Proposal Imitation Assignment

In “A Modest Proposal”, Jonathan Swift proposes a solution to Ireland’s poverty: turn the children of the poor into an edible delicacy. His essay employs the methods of satire: juxtaposition, irony, narrative point of view, understatement, overstatement, tone, etc. He takes an absurd idea so seriously that readers are shocked by the idea; then he turns the tables on the readers to redirect their shock towards their own assumptions about poverty. He uses the first portion of his essay to establish a logical voice for his narrator, so that the reader can be properly shocked by the proposal when he introduces it. He reveals his true beliefs about what should be done about poverty by saying, “Don’t talk to me about…” For this assignment, you need to write a satirical article imitating Swift’s use of satirical strategies.

Topic

Your satire should address a current social issue of your choosing. You might propose a solution to gun control or to the national debt. You might propose a solution to the United States’ international relations with Iran or North Korea. You might propose a solution to the problem of college student debt or the decline of the family. You might choose a state or even local issue such as air pollution in Utah. Whatever topic you choose to discuss, make sure that what you write is appropriate for publication in the AHS newspaper.

 
Humor

Satires use humor to ridicule those social practices and beliefs that the writer believes need to be changed. It can be effective when the humor causes the readers to reexamine their beliefs and assumptions about the topic. Please note that humor can be used as a weapon as well as a tool. Please be careful with the former. Do not use humor to be verbally violent or vulgar. This is a delicate balancing act. You must use humor with sharpness to cut to the root of the issue; however, after reading your entire article, the reader must come away enlightened. Satire can tear down, but more importantly it can build up. Please make sure that your satire does both.

 Additional Stipulations

1)      Title—Your title should imitate the form of Swift’s title, “A Modest Proposal for…”

2)      Length—Your article should be 550-600 words in length. Length is less important than strong writing and effective imitation of Swift’s rhetorical strategies.

3)      Format—Your article must be typed, in MLA format, and show careful proofreading.

4)      Due Date—The first draft of your article is due on Wednesday, January 22.