Introduction Task Process Part 1 Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Evaluation Resources A WebQuest Exploring Satire Created by Ms. Ozello For Literature of Human Experience

Saturday Night Live, Will Ferrell, Seinfeld, Wanda Sykes, Modern Family What do all these have in common? They are considered humorous by many people today.Humor can be found in movies, TV shows, and books. But what makes something humorous? How and why do author's create humor? Humor often requires some background knowledge of some kind. One has to understand the type of humor as well as what is being made fun of in order for it to be humorous. Today you will exploring one type of humor in order to more fully understand and appreciate it.

There are many different kinds of humor, but one of the most common, but often misunderstood, is Satire. The book we will be reading, Cat’s Cradle, combines this, along with Dark Comedy and science fiction to create an intriguing novel. In order for you to more fully understand the novel, you will be exploring satire. identifying components of it in various examples and then creating your own commercials or short scenes demonstrating what you have learned

AS A GROUP IN CLASS: 1. Go to the following sites to discover definitions for Satire DICTIONARY.COM ABOUT.COM BROOKLYN CUNY CRAMSTER 2. Go to the following sites to view a few examples of satire. In your group discuss what makes these examples satire. Write out a one sentence summary World According to Americans Alaska Satire in the Simpsons Video Mix (give this a few seconds to buffer – can skip the ad) Video Mix 3. WRITE a solid definition for Satire (to be typed and turned in through GoogleDocs, but needs to be checked by teacher before proceeding). Tell what it is and also what it is not. What needs to be present in the humor to make it satire?

INDIVIDUALLY FOR HOMEWORK : Watch the following satirical video. Explain why it is satire and list several details which prove it. What is the ‘change’ the creators want in the world? What is the meaning of the title of the video? Teenage Affluenza Take a look at these satirical cartoons. Explain what makes each satirical and what the message is. Lincoln Uncle Sam Type up your answers to be turned in tomorrow.

AS A GROUP: Get back with your group to review your findings and discuss. See where you agree or disagree and get clarification from each other and the teacher. Now you are going to create your own Satire. You will be creating a commercial for one that must be performed live taped and shown it to the class. 1. Brainstorm what concepts you can be satirical about by listing political or social issues that you feel need to be “changed.” 2. Discuss how you can “make fun” of them (in fairly good taste) and then formulate your ideas in creating the commercial or advertisement 3. Practice and create - these will be due in two days so you will need to complete this on your own time. (We may have additional class time to do this)

Your presentation will be graded based on the following: GROUP RUBRIC INDIVIDUAL RUBRIC

 Now that you have researched, identified and created your own satire, you should have a clearer understanding of the concept. As we read Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, be sure to identify the aspects of satire that are used in this book. Be prepared to discuss it through the novel study, and to make connections to what you found and created in this WebQuest.  Remember, Satire is not just humor for humor’s sake. It is making of fun of something in order to criticize it (or indicate one’s opinion of the topic) in order to encourage change of some kind. As you read Cat’s Cradle, think about what kind of change Vonnegut is trying to encourage.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Modern Examples of Satire Satire in Pop Culture Spark Notes for Cat’s Cradle Dubious Truths: An Examination of Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle Essay: Satirical Writing of Kurt Vonnegut Kurt Vonnegut: 'A Man Without a Country' Synopsis of Cat’s Cradle PHOTO CREDITS:  Seinfeld  SNL logo  Will Ferrell  Modern Family  Tina Fey Click here to download lesson plan

Click on video to watch it