Wichita State University
College of Education
Candidate
Lesson
Title
Overview
and
Context
Assessed
Standards
Content
Objectives
Connected to
the assessed
standards
listed above
Key
Vocabulary
Grade Level/Subject 12th Grade AP Lit and
Comp.
Writing Satire: Personal Modest
Lesson Date:
 After the completion of
Proposals
“A Modest Proposal”
Fri wk 7 – Fri wk 8
 5 days from beginning
through presentations.
 Students will apply what they have learned through the reading of “A Modest
Proposal”.
 One of the most important concepts in satire is that of a “corrective purpose”. This
project will have students design their own “Modest Proposal” highlighting their own
corrective purpose as a solution to a societal or cultural problem of their choosing.
(topics are to be school appropriate and approved by the instructor)
 W.11-12.2 - Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex
ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective
selection, organization, and analysis of content.
 W.11-12.9 - Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis,
reflection, and research.
 W.11-12.10 - Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research,
reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a
range of tasks, purposes
Students will:
Language
Students will:
Objectives
 Emulate Jonathan Swift’s style
 Have already read Swift’s “A
and format in “A Modest
Modest Proposal”
Reading,
Proposal” and produce a satire
 Listen to and discuss, with their
writing,
by following the basic structure
classmates, their
listening,
of an argument essay.
interpretations of the
speaking, &
viewing
aforementioned essay.
 Create an essay that is no less
processes
than two typed pages, no more
 Write their own
than three, and follow standard
interpretations, as a pair, their
MLA formatting.
own Modest Proposal.
 Work with a partner to
 View presentations of their
complete the proposal essay
peer’s proposals
and presentation.
Content– analyze, determine, paying Materials,
 Laptops
attention, evidence, research,
Technology  Student’s packets from “A
reflection, persuasion, argument
Needs
Modest Proposal” lesson.
Functional – read, present,
 “A Modest Proposal” by Dr.
annotate, analyze, discuss, observe,
Jonathan Swift.
work together.
 Smart Board or projector
 Document camera
Andrew Martin
Middle/Secondary Level Lesson Plan Template, Approved 5-25-11
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Higher
Order /
Essential
Questions
Time

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Evaluate the effectiveness of Swift’s essay in regard to corrective purpose and
audience.
Select a grievance that you find needs to be corrected in society today.
Create an exaggerated context for your grievance.
Pretend you are Swift and emulate his essay to produce your own modest proposal.
Learning Activities
Review & Assessment
Building Background
 Bellwork: What is the topic of your own “A Modest
Proposal” and what is your essay’s corrective purpose?
 Bellwork: Who is your essay’s intended audience?

Meaningful Activities
 Students will be paired up for the modest proposal
project.
 Handout Our “Modest Proposal” project guide.
 Using the student’s bellwork each group will research
and decide upon a topic for their proposal.
 Students will research and write their proposal essays
and projects.
 Students will conference with the instructor to make
sure that the project is on the right track.

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




Wrap Up/Final Review
 Students will present their “Modest Proposals”
Middle/Secondary Level Lesson Plan Template, Approved 5-25-11

After 10 minutes of writing
there is an informal,
teacher and student led,
class discussion over the
prompt. (bellwork is
collected at the end of the
week)
Students will:
Brainstorm together and
decide on a topic for their
projects.
Create an exaggerated
context
Incorporate irony and ironic
situations
Integrate satirical
techniques
Write their essay and
project
o Introduce their
problem
o State their proposal
o Address objections
o End with a proviso
of personal gain
Follow the provided rubric
in order to create the
highest quality work
possible.
Students will turn in their
“Modest proposal” essays.
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References
Primary Texts:
Robert Harris. The Purpose and Method of Satire. 20 August 1990. Retrieved from
http://www.virtualsalt.com/satire.htm
Swift, Jonathan. A Modest Proposal. Project Gutenberg, 2008. Kindle file.
Adapted From:
Wilbert, Joshua. “Our Modest Proposal”. October 2013. Print Lesson.
Middle/Secondary Level Lesson Plan Template, Approved 5-25-11
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