1. AP Lang. and Comp. M. Dilback 2012
Satire and Wit
AP Lang. and Comp. M. Dilback 2012
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2. “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift
Read “A Modest Proposal” for tomorrow. Answer the following questions:
1. Who is Swift’s intended audience?
2. What problem does his essay attempt to address?
3. What rhetorical and persuasive devices does he utilize to achieve that purpose? (Answer ques under “Ques. for Rhetoric and Style at the end of the essay.)
4. What’s the “normal” or more traditional approach most people use, who also would like to address this problem?
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3. Structure
LIST THE NUMBERS OF PARAGRAPHS FOR EACH OF THE FIVE SECTIONS OF THE ESSAY:
Introduction
__________
Radical thesis—
Support for radical thesis—
Actual thesis to help the poor—
Reiteration (repeating main points of the radical thesis)—
________
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4. The Simpsons Teach Satire h
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5. So what is satire?
It is an argument (literary work) holding up human vices and follies to ridicule and scorn.
It can have two moods:
Bemused/Gentle (Horatian—where author sees problem as more foolish than evil, mild humor)
Biting/Angry (Juvenalian)—where the author sees the problem as urgent and severe, possibly evil and involves savage ridicule
*Information reproduced with permission from Ada Skillern, BGHS and Ann Rudkin Winston-Salem, NC.

6. So what is satire? Cont. It can be directed at several targets:
The Individual
The Group
The “System”
Topical (short-lived, current)
Universal (long-lived)
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7. Horation vs. Juvenalian
A Satire Continuum
Notes and chart adapted from Florida Virtual School’s AP Literature and Composition.
HORATIAN   JUVENALIAN
(gentle) (bitter)
ATTACK:
DIRECT   INDIRECT
(little or no ironic diction) (much ironic diction)
TARGET:
TOPICAL   UNIVERSAL
(short-lived, current) (long-lived)
(Ex “They dream in courtship, but in wedlock wake.” Alexander Pope)
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8. So what is satire? Cont. Forms satirists use:
Fantasy: setting is an imaginary world or time, softens criticism by removing it from reality (People are more willing to consider criticism if finger isn’t pointing directly at them.)
Mock Heroics: take the realistic problem or dispute and turn it into a highly exaggerated epic battle
Formal Proposal: prepare a highly serious, highly rational proposal for action on this problem, but make it totally unreasonable and exaggerated
Praise/Blame: take something bad and praise it w/o boundary, or take something bad and cut it to shreds. (Either way—reader will appreciate the irony the author intends.)
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9. Feed the Children with Sally Struthers
“A Modest Proposal” addresses starvation in 1729; let’s look at a couple of different approaches to the same problem:
Ketchup Soup
Feed the Children with Sally Struthers
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10. Dove Evolution http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U
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11. Slob Evolution
Slob Evolution (thank you, Jennifer LaRue, Shelby Co HS)
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12. The Onion Child Earns Clock Radio For 78 Hours Of Work
U.S. High School Get Raw End Of Student Exchange
Report: TV Helps Build Valuable Looking Skills
Obama’s Use of Complete Sentences Stirs Controversy
Girl Moved To Tears By 'Of Mice And Men' Cliffs Notes
Police: iPhone Left In Hot Car For Three Hours
Nation Shudders at Large Block of Uninterrupted Text
Wealthy Teen Nearly Experiences Consequence
MySpace Outage Leaves Millions Friendless
World's Scientists Admit They Just Don't Like Mice
Even CEO Can't Figure Out How RadioShack Still In Business
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13. Middle East Conflict Intensifies As Blah Blah Blah, Etc. Etc.
After 5 Years In U.S., Terrorist Cell Too Complacent To Carry Out Attack
Middle East Conflict Intensifies As Blah Blah Blah, Etc. Etc.
Majority Of Parents Abuse Children, Children Report
Rhetorical Pleasantry Elicits 45-Minute Response
All 7 Deadly Sins Committed at Church Bake Sale
Johnson & Johnson Introduces 'Nothing But Tears' Shampoo To Toughen Up Newborns
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14. More Cultural Satire Resources
Saturday Night Live Weekend Update with Seth– Really?!? Michael Phelps
Lindsay Lohan eHarmony Ad
Not Your Father’s Taliban (New Yorker spoof)
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15. Political Satire Resources
Terry Gross Interviews Jon Stewart on Fresh Air (October 4, 2010)
Jon Stewart Parodies Glenn Beck
Jon Stewart Interviews Jim Cramer
Jon Stewart’s “Rally to Restore Sanity/Fear” Closing Speech
Room for Debate (thank you, Chris Crouch, Highlands HS)
TIME Cartoons of the Week
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16. Humor Man (Dixie Dellinger, AP English list-serve) McSweeney’s.net
I Want A Wife
New Yorker Cartoons
Satire and Parody (Karla Olson, AP English list-serve)
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