1. Directions: Read Mark Twain’s satirical speech “Advice to Youth.” Then, discuss the following with your group, and write down your answers in your notebook. Be ready to discuss as a class. Satire is a device used to mock human vice and weaknesses: what vices or weaknesses does Twain satirize (mock) in his speech? What textual evidence lets you know that these specific problems are the target of his satire? How does Twain create his satire? That is, what techniques does he use in the speech to ridicule the targets you noted in #2?

2. Your assignment is to create a satire of your own using Twain’s speech as an example. For your satire, write a piece that gives satirical advice to high school students. Keep it school appropriate, of course, but other than that, you are free to choose the advice that you give. Your satire does not have to be a speech, but you should make use of some of the strategies that Twain utilizes, which we discussed. This does not mean that you should copy Twain—think about the approaches he uses, and try to adapt them in your own writing. Choose the strategies and approaches that best fit your ideas. Remember that satire is used to make fun of human shortcomings and social problems, often with the intent to inspire change.

3. Your satire will be due on Monday 1/10/12. Please make note of this in your planner. This assignment will count as a daily grade. You may either handwrite the piece neatly and in pen or you may type it. Include the proper MLA heading for your paper.

4. Grading 90-100: a complete, well-written piece that successfully uses satire to point out problems and shortcomings of high school. Your writing borrows effectively from the conventions of the genre and shows excellent understanding of the form. 80-89: a complete, well-written piece that uses satire to point out problems and shortcomings of high school in a generally effective way. Your writing borrows from the conventions of the genre and shows strong understanding of the form. 70-79: a complete piece that uses satire to point out problems and shortcomings of high school. The piece may be less effectively-written than B or A pieces, due to occasional lack of clarity or may show a less complete understanding of the form. 60: An incomplete piece, or one that shows little understanding of satire as a genre.