examining satire

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. Label this entry: Satirical Ads2. First, you will see the original advertisement. 3. Second, you will see the satire of the advertisement or

company. 4. In the RAW Book, write:

1. the subject of the satire 2. the purpose (comment about human vice/folly being

communicated through the satirical piece)3. 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!