Satirical Essay
based on Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”
thanks to Ms. LuAnn Fallahi and the Parkway AP Lit team for the assignment
Choose an issue that you care deeply about and believe deserves more attention. Consider yourself an activist for this
particular cause and assume that other means of persuasion have failed. Write a “modest proposal” mimicking the style
of Jonathan Swift; maintain a “reasonable” tone like the authorial persona in Swift’s essay, and write your proposal for
an organization or institution with the ability to work toward a solution to the problem.
Proposal Outline
a) Start out with a vivid description of the problems as it exists
now, showing why reform is necessary.
b) Include a “modest proposal” for solving this problem.
c) Describe how this proposal will work.
d) Refute possible objections someone may have (of course, you
can be totally outlandish).
e) List the advantages of your proposal.
f)
Include your real, rational proposals that were hypothetically
dismissed.
g) Close by calling to action or showing why your proposal is
important.
Footnotes
1. Use a variety of satirical elements in your proposal and use footnotes to identify the technique and explain the
reasoning for its use. You might want to look back at your notes from Essential Literary Terms.
2. Use all three sides of the rhetorical triangle—ethos, pathos, logos, and use footnotes to identify the technique
and explain the reasoning for its use.
Satirical Elements
Burlesque
Caricature
Euphemism
Hyperbole
Incongruity
Irony
Reduction
Reductio ad absurdum
Invective
Lampoon
Parody
Understatement
Sarcasm
Post Script
Note: Satire, admittedly, is meant to be able to stand by itself and make its point, either in a subtle or not-so-subtle
way. However, to humor your teacher and help your grade, please include a P. S. at the end (where else?) of your
proposal explaining your satire.
AP English Literature and Composition
Pomerantz/Fallahi