Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Satire Assignment
Recall that the definition of satire is “the use of wit, irony, and/or sarcasm to expose vice
or folly” (dictionary.com). Consider the varieties of satire we have discussed in class:
Mark Twain, satirizing religion and racial attitudes through a narrative from the
viewpoint of an ignorant boy; Flight of the Conchords, satirizing music genres through
song and videos; Steven Colbert, satirizing conservative viewpoints through a mock news
show; The Onion, satirizing a variety of topics in a newspaper format; Family Guy and
The Simpsons, satirizing modern American life through cartoons, etc.
Your task is to create a satire of someone or something. You have flexibility when it
comes to topic and form: you get to choose who/what you want to satirize, and how you
want to do it. Exceptions to your freedom of choice include individuals at this school and
content that includes non school-appropriate language or images.
Procedure:
1. Find your topic
What deserves to be mocked? Consider your own experiences, such as the social,
religious, educational and civic institutions and viewpoints that are familiar to
you. What’s illogical about them? What’s hypocritical? What seems silly? What
should change?
Make sure that the object of your satire deserves to be mocked.
2. Find your format
What is the best way to address your topic? Should you write an essay? A story?
Should you perform a monologue or do a skit? Should you create a music video
or a short film? Satirists often use a format that parodies the object of the satire.
3. Craft and revise
As you are engaged in the act of creating your satire, evaluate it for the following
elements:
1. Is it funny? Satire without humor is just called criticism.
2. Is the satire appropriate? Satirizing something that doesn’t deserve it
becomes purely mean-spirited.
3. Is it clear? Others must be able to understand what you are satirizing
and why it deserves to be attacked.
4. Does it work? Satire should challenge and unnerve people. Its purpose
in attacking is to provide evidence and insight about why something
needs to be changed.
Grading
Because of the flexibility of this assignment, the rubric is designed to be suitable for the
variety of formats and topics available.
_______/20
Student chooses an appropriate topic that deserves satirical attention.
Satire is substantial enough in length and quality. (This is the equivalent of
a major grade formal essay. Different people will choose different formats,
so you will need to use judgment about appropriate length for your
format.)
_______/30
The final product is polished, carefully planned, and produced with
attention to the details and norms appropriate to the chosen format.
_______/30
The object of the satire is clear, and the student provides evidence and
insight about what is problematic and why it needs to be changed.
_______/20
The satire is effective holistically, showing humor, irony, creativity, and a
good understanding of what satire is and how it should be used.
________/100 Major grade