Name:
Date:
Block:
Written parody can take many forms: news articles, literature, or poems. You will investigate a these in
class today to gain a larger understand of what parody really is and how it can be used.
Example 1: The Onion Newspaper
The Onion is a satirical newspaper that parodies the day’s news by exaggerating features. Please visit
the website www.theonion.com to view an article and answer the questions below.
1. What topic does the article parody? ________________________________________
2. Explain what is exaggerated and ridiculous. What is funny? Be detailed.
3. Identify a line or quote from the article that made you laugh. Write it below and explain.
Example 2: Pride and Prejudice vs. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (and others)
Taking serious books and parodying them has become very lucrative. Pick up one of the book parodies,
read a bit, and asnwer the following questions:
1. What story(ies) is(are) being parodied?_____________________________________
2. Choose a quote (several lines of text) that demonstrate the parody. Write the lines below and explain
the parody on the next page.
Quote: “
3.If you know the original story, how does this version differ? If you don't know the original story, what
would you guess it is like? BE DETAILED.
3. Would you continue to read this parody? Explain your answer with SPECIFICS.
Example 3: “This is Just to Say” vs “Variations on a theme by William Carlos Williams”
Poetry is another area in which authors have taken creative liberty. Read the poem ‘This is Just to Say”
by William Carlos Williams and its counterpart, “Variations on a Theme by William Carlos Williams”
by Kenneth Koch, and answer the questions below (see handout with the poems).
1. What is the message of the original poem “This is Just to Say?” For what is the author apologizing?
2. How does the Kenneth Koch version compare? For what does this poet apologize?
3. Visit: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/play_full.php?play=354&act=2
Listen to the 7 minute audio and answer the question below FULLY.
Which of the presenters’ own parodies did you like best and why? Explain with details.
4. After going through these different parody types, what are some elements of parody? List at least 3.
For extra credit: write you own “This is Just to Say” poem to be handed in next class.