The Satire Project
What:
You will write an original satire in the format of Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”. Your satire will be aimed at
changing the behavior and/or thinking of your audience. Swift incorporates sarcasm, irony and a great deal
of exaggeration to create his satire. Your satire will use the same organizational pattern as “A Modest
Proposal”. (See below) Make sure to include elements of satire. Use could write “A Modest Proposal to
Close Theaters, Malls and Other Places Where Teenagers Engage in Frivolous Behavior.” See below for
other possible topics. Remember, your underlying purpose is to call attention to the issue and effect a
change. It must be appropriate! You will need to prepare a detailed outline / brainstorm before you begin
your essay. Your thesis statement will state your modest proposal.
Swift’s organizational pattern is as follows:
1. He states the benefits of his plan in order to captivate his audience and make them realize how fantastic it
is.
2. He applies logical appeal by showing his careful calculations for age and numbers. (statistics)
3. He “humbly” states his proposal.
4. He goes into the details of his plan.
5. He acknowledges improvements on his plan recommended by a friend, but dismisses it.
6. He restates the benefits of his plan by numbering them- this serves to emphasize how many wonderful
outcomes all people will enjoy by his “brilliant” plan.
7. He acknowledges real, practical solutions to the problem in Ireland, but dismisses them as not being
nearly as wonderful as his plan. “ . . . let no man talk to me of other expedients”.
8. He ends by explaining that he will in no way benefit as his children are grown and his wife is past
childbearing age. This makes him appear to be truly unselfish and concerned only for the greater
good.
9. Remember! Swift writes under a persona or an assumed identity- that of a concerned, although naïve,
citizen. You must also create a persona, although yours may have different qualities or you may
model your after Swift’s.
Examining Swift’s:
Swift uses several techniques of satirical writing. First, he has selected a complex social problem: poverty
and survival in a society of “have” and “have nots”, Irish grievances against English oppression in the 18th
century, and a religious clash between the Protestant English and the Catholic Irish. Satire is often used to
point out social injustices, societal failings, or perversities of human nature. The subject of Swift’s work
covers all three. Swift also speaks formally, use the tone of a concerned but realistic economist. The
outrageousness of his idea to raise the children of the poor to be sold as food items is shocking in contrast
to the seriousness of his tone. Notice how his big words, appearing to be sensitive and rational, appeal s at
the outset to the sadness of the street scene. It is a characteristic of satire to say nearly the opposite of what
you mean. He also exaggerates the negativity of the future for the children of the poor, doomed to a life of
crime, etc. He is undoubtedly mocking the citizens who consider their society superior to others.
Your Plan:
Consider first what you want to satirize, and then the attitude you naturally feel toward the subject.
Sensational topics aren’t appropriate. Examining violence in our culture, for example, is too agonizing to be
subtly humorous. Avoid a topic that would disparage others or other cultures, unless you’re also gently poke
fun at your own. Some ideas might include:
* Fast food chains and our dependence on them
* The place of television in our households
* Cell phone mania / texting
* A Sports utility vehicle in every driveway
* Music
* Lying politicians
* Heroes we look up to
* School cliques
* Fashion statements / trends
*Atheltes who use performance enhancing drugs
* Unwanted animals in shelters
* Shoplifting
* Media’s image of people
* Celebrities and their behavior.
* The school’s policies (parking / cell phones / no ipods / lunch room food)
Next:
Write your opinion about your topic. Then, create an outlandish, original solution to that problem. Think
outside the box of conventional wisdom as you brainstorm:
TOPIC:
Senioritis
PROBLEM:
Non-performance in class and / or easy classes
CAUSE:
Attitude / deserve
MY SOLUTION:
Abolish attendance requirements during your senior year.
When you draft your essay, keep in mind that you want to keep a serious tone. Use formal writing
conventions. Persuade the audience of the benefits of your solution and build a convincing case for
adopting your proposal, no matter how impractical it is. Do not be deterred by the arguments that people
might make against your solution. Satire does NOT expect a counter-argument since it is meant to sound
practical while being totally impractical. The layer of protest underneath the words is what the reader will
internalize and understand.
Make sure you understand and use satirical techniques! Refer to pages 653-655 in your text for a sample.
Schedule:
Tuesday: Examine more examples of satire; analyze “A Modest Proposal”; present assignment. Use hour to
brainstorm.
Wednesday-Friday: Read and begin viewing Gulliver’s Travels
Monday: Report to library to type your satire.
Tuesday: Turn in your satire when you walk into class
Brainstorm sheet:
Topic:
Problem:
Cause:
Your awesome solution:
1. What are the benefits of your plan?
2. How can you apply logic and stats to create more appeal for your plan?
3. How can you humbly state your proposal?
4. What are the specific details of your plan? Number them and emphasize how many
wonderful outcomes many people will enjoy due to your plan.
5. Acknowledge a real, practical solution to your plan, but dismiss it and tell why.
6. What persona will you adopt? An expert? A concerned citizen?