“A Modest Proposal” Writing Project
Assignment: Write your own “modest proposal” in which you present a problem, the proposal, and the
benefits of your proposal. This will take the form of a pamphlet. Make sure to use methods of satire:
such as hyperbole, understatement, irony, incongruity, and fantasy. Remember, this proposal is supposed
to be satirical and outrageous, but is should be based in facts and statistics about the problem.
Requirements:
____ A specific issue is being satirized
____ At least two methods of satire are used
____ The pamphlet is 2 pages in length
____ Appeals are used to lend credibility
____ Statistics and facts are included to lend credibility
____ Real solutions are offered
____ The pamphlet is neatly organized and constructed
____ The pamphlet has been edited to correct errors in grammar, usage, mechanics, and sentence
structure
Some ideas for a “modest proposal”
teenage pregnancy
death penalty
steroids
drug addiction
drunk driving
road rage
weapons in school
insolent students
rude behavior
gang violence
censorship
eating disorders
poverty
starvation
homelessness
immigration
traffic development
gas prices
war underage drinking
obesity
older population
harassment
illegal downloads
hate crimes
media influence
credit card debt
global warming
identity theft
Aids
cancer
Answer the following questions to help you focus your ideas and get you started on the written portion of
the project.
Your problem is: _______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Your solution is: ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Your real solutions are: __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________