Satire Tools

Day 1: Introduction to Satire

This next unit is a reading unit This next unit is a reading unit. Please reflect on the following skills and respond in a short paragraph. How much do you like to read? Why do you think this is true? What strategies do you use when you are having trouble reading? How do you find the author’s purpose when you are reading? What goals do you have for becoming a better reader?

Session 1: What is Satire “Praise undeserved is satire in disguise.” -Alexander Pope

Teaching Point: Readers of a genre identify how it is constructed in order to comprehend how to analyze it.

Satire Example: Watch the following clip just to get the gist of the segment. We will then watch it a second time. On your handout, write down what you think the segment is about. What is Jon Stewart’s message? http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-december-11-2012/union-jacked

What is Satire? We will now watch it a second time. Write down what you notice about satire, answering the following questions: How effective is the example? What tools does Jon Stewart use to get his message across? What does he say or do for the views to see his viewpoint? (facial expressions, word choice)

Defining Satire: Now that we have discussed the clip and some of the ways that the message was conveyed, take a few minutes to discuss with a partner and write what you think the definition of satire is at the bottom of your handout.

Defining Satire: Day 2 Teaching Point: Readers of a genre identify how it is constructed in order to comprehend how to analyze it. Copy the following notes on satire into your writer’s notebook.

Definition: Satire is a genre of literature and media in which vices, mistakes, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement.

Two Types of Satire: Horatian Satire: playfully criticizes some social vice through gentle, mild, and lighthearted humor; it uses wit, exaggeration, and self-deprecating humor toward the target, rather than evil. The sympathetic tone is common in modern society.

Two Types of Satire: Juvenalian Satire: more contemptuous and abrasive than Horatian; addresses social evil through scorn, outrage, and savage ridicule; often pessimistic, characterized by irony, sarcasm, and moral anger, with less emphasis on humor; political satire is often Juvenalian

Tools of the Satirist: Exaggeration: to enlarge, increase, or represent something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous and its faults can be seen

Tools of a Satirist: Incongruity: to present things that are out of place or absurd in relation to its surroundings “I Like Turtles”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y “Spaghetti Cat”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVsUEx_EeTA

Tools of the Satirist: Reversal: to present the opposite of the normal order (order of events, hierarchical order)

Tools of the Satirist: Parody: to imitate the techniques or style of some person, place, or thing

…and the parody… Dove: Campaign for Real Beauty Parody Example: Dove: Campaign for Real Beauty Dove Ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U) …and the parody… Slob Evolution (http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=7-kSZsvBY-A&feature=endscreen)

Tools of the Satirist: Irony: the discrepancy between what is said and what is meant, what is said and what is done, what is expected or intended and what happens, or what is meant or said and what others understand Example: Someone writes "your an idiot.”

Other tools you may notice…. Word play Simile Metaphor Personification Alliteration Onomatopoeia Stereotyping Contrast Appeal to emotion

Tools of the Satirist in The Simpsons http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M-KlV5cPUo

Focus When Analyzing Satire: Is the satire lighthearted or abrasive? Which devices are used to make the point? What is the central idea the satire makes? What seems to be the purpose of the satire? What is it saying about its subject? How effective is the satire at getting this message across?

Purpose of Satire: Why is satire effective? Answer this question in your writer’s notebook.

Analyzing Satire More Deeply We are going to look more closely at some more serious forms of satire. The satire we will read in the next few days comments more seriously on more global issues. To do this, we need to look at the way that satirists influence their readers.

Modes of Persuasion: Ethos: an appeal to ethics; convincing someone of the credibility for the persuader; “It is the right thing to do” idea

Examples of Ethos "As a doctor, I am qualified to tell you that this course of treatment will likely generate the best results." "If my age doesn’t convince you that my opinion matters, at least consider that I am your grandfather and I love you dearly." "You know me – I’ve taught Sunday School at your church for years, babysat your children, and served as a playground director for many summers."

Pathos: an appeal to emotion; a way of convincing an audience by creating an emotional response

Examples of Pathos: "If we don’t move soon, we’re all going to die! Can’t you see how dangerous it would be to stay?" "You’ll make the right decision because you have something that not many people do: you have heart." "There’s no price that can be placed on peace of mind. Our advanced security systems will protect the well-being of your family so that you can sleep soundly at night."

Logos: an appeal to logic; using reason (or ridiculous reason in satire)

Examples of Logos: "You don’t need to jump off a bridge to know that it’s a bad idea. Why then would you need to try drugs to know if they’re damaging? That’s plain nonsense." "Research compiled by analysts from NASA, as well as organizations from five other nations with space programs, suggests that a moon colony is viable with international support."

Analysis of Persuasive Pieces: SOAPSTone Subject: What is this article about? Occasion: Why was it written? What is going on at the time that the author is mocking? Audience: Who is this article aimed at? Purpose: What does the author hope to achieve by writing it? Speaker: How does the author establish himself/herself as an authority on the subject? Tone: What is the author’s attitude in the text?