EXAMINING SATIRE
(Adapted by S. Webster from materials created by K.Holbrook.)
A NOTE ABOUT GRADES…
Period
A’s
B’s
C’s
F’s
1st
9
15
8
0
2nd
13
5
2
2
3rd
12
7
9
1
5th
14
7
7
2
8th
18
9
1
1
Totals
66
43
27
6
Journals
52
73
8
6
JOURNAL REMINDERS:
Pay attention to formatting (single-space your journals,
DON’T skip lines between paragraphs, use the tab key to
indent paragraphs, include an abbreviated prompt).
 Only use “I” if you’re telling a personal story from your
past (and do that rarely, with purpose). Remove all
phrases like “I believe,” “I think,” “I feel,” “In my opinion.”
 Spend more time on introductions (grabbing the reader’s
attention and drawing them further into your piece) and
conclusions (driving the point home).
 Semicolons connect two independent clauses; colons
introduce key phrases or lists.
 If you researched any information, use parenthetical
documentation within the piece and include a works
cited entry at the end of the journal.

SAY FAREWELL TO…
“a lot” – too pedestrian, too vague, used too often!
 Rhetorical questions at the beginning of a journal entry
(Do you really think they’re working? Have you ever
been intrigued by a questioning opening?)
 2nd person/ “you” (You should see the example above if
you want to know why your journal is annoying your
readers.)
 Well,….Now, …. Unless you’re
writing about a “well” that you’re
digging “now,” these words are
weak transition phrases.
 Referring directly to the prompt (“I
disagree because...,” “The prompt
asked us to…,” “The article said.”)

POP QUIZ!

Take out a sheet of paper and write Candide Pop Quiz,
Chapter 1-3 at the top of the page. Do not worry
about writing out the questions.
1) 2) 3) Name three things being satirized in
Chapter 1 of Candide.
 4) What event becomes the “call to adventure” for
Candide?
 5) What is Candide’s initial reaction to being on a
journey?
 6) Why do his two “comrades” care about Candide’s
height?

POP QUIZ!

7) Why was Candide court-martialed/sent to jail?

8) What did the Bulgars and Avars have in common?

9) Name one bad thing that has happened to Candide
since his expulsion from the castle (other than #7!)

10) How does Jacques the Anabaptist become a
helper for our hero?
DISSECTION DAY

Consider using SOAPSTONE as a close reading/critical thinking
strategy (think about the acronym when you’re writing, too!)
Who is the Speaker?
the voice that tells the story
What is the Occasion?
the time and the place of the piece; the context
Who is the Audience?
the group of readers/viewers to whom this piece is directed
What is the Purpose?
the reason behind the text
What is the Subject?
what the piece is about (in a few words)
What is the Tone?
the attitude of the author toward the subject matter
ANALYZE THE FOLLOWING IMAGE:
What is the subject of the ad?
 What is the purpose? Don’t lose sight of the TONE!

BIG MAC ATTACK CAMPAIGN:

What’s the subject of the satirical ad?
McDonald’s/Big Macs
 Fast food
 Nutrition/Obesity/Overindulgence


Who is the audience?
Eaters of Big Macs?
 People interested in nutrition/health issues?

Real McDonald’s Ad 
How does the author establish a satirical TONE?
PARODY/INCONGRUITY/EXAGGERATION
The “M” on the heart
monitor resembles the
famous golden arches.
 We’re used to seeing the
“M” on billboards, t.v.
commercials, and
storefronts, not in a
hospital.
 While Big Macs are
unhealthy, one is not likely
to kill you. Heart disease
is based on multiple
factors (beyond diet).

SATIRICAL AD: BIG MAC ATTACK

What techniques does
the satire use?

Exaggeration: while Big
Macs are definitely
unhealthy, one Big Mac
will not cause a heart
attack. Most likely,
McDonald’s food is not
the only cause of a
person’s heart attack.
RAW BOOK ASSIGNMENT:

You will analyze satirical ads to determine:




The subject of the satire
The comment the satire is making
The technique(s) the satire uses
Why? Satire is prevalent in our culture and a critical way
that people make statements about our world.
Analyzing satire in these fake ads will prepare you to
recognize tone in Candide and will give you ideas for
creating your own satire.
HERE’S HOW IT’LL WORK:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Label this entry: Satirical Ads
First, you will see the original advertisement.
Second, you will see the satire of the advertisement or
company.
In the RAW Book, write:
1.
2.
3.
the subject of the satire
the purpose (comment about human vice/folly being
communicated through the satirical piece)
the technique(s) used to satirize – identify and explain one
technique (most ads will use more than one)
ORIGINAL AD #1 – CAMEL CIGARETTES
SATIRICAL AD #1
1. Subject of the
satire:
2. Comment the
satire is making:
3. Technique(s):
ORIGINAL AD #2 – ABSOLUT VODKA
SATIRICAL AD #2
1. Subject of the
satire:
2. Comment the
satire is making:
3. Technique(s):
ORIGINAL AD #3 - VOLKSWAGON
SATIRICAL AD #3
1. Subject of the
satire:
2. Comment the
satire is making:
3. Technique(s):
“Less cars, more world. Rivers
wanted.”
ORIGINAL AD #4 – CALVIN KLEIN “MAN” FRAGRANCE
SATIRICAL AD #4
1. Subject of the
satire:
2. Comment the
satire is making:
3. Technique(s):
ORIGINAL AD #5 – NIKE
SATIRICAL AD #5
1. Subject of the
satire:
2. Comment the
satire is making:
3. Technique(s):
Let’s continue discussing/reading Candide – grab
your books! Key scenes from last night’s reading:
 Ch 2: “Candide was astounded. He could not yet
understand what made him a hero. One fine spring day
he took it into his head to go off, walking straight ahead,
believing it to be the privelege of mankind, as of
animals, to make use of their legs at will.”
 Ch 3: “Then he approached a man who had just
addressed a big crowd for a whole hour on the topic of
charity. The orator eyed him suspiciously…the orator’s
wife poked her head out of the window and, seeing the
man who doubted the Pope was the antichrist, poured
out on his head a full pot of --- Merciful Heaven! To
what excess ladies will carry out the zeal of religion!”


What is being satirized in this chapter? (What
techniques does Voltaire emply?)
On to Chapter 4!