These entertainment staples are more intelligent than you would think. Despite being wrapped in a flaky shell of irreverent humor, these lowly pop culture compendiums are indeed high-brow satires carefully-crafted arguments that use the most extreme of examples to rail against oppressive institutions such as education, politics, celebrity, the economy, et cetera. What other satires are you familiar with in print or in visual media? What is being satirized? WRITING A SATIRICAL ESSAY A satirical proposal exacerbates the situation. It takes a problem to its logical conclusion. Logical doesnt necessarily mean humane, of course. In Jonathan Swifts A Modest Proposal, he tries to solve the problems of famine and overpopulation by suggesting that the people of Ireland alleviate their hunger pangs by making meals out of the babies. Seems logical, doesnt it? If the British government keeps allowing the people of Ireland to starve and procreate, the latters only resort is to eat their own young! Satires can be instrumental in effecting change. While a cut-and-dry proposal may put the audience to sleep, an outlandish one may capture their attention through heresy, gore, or humor, and prompt them to actually do something. You will write your own modest proposal (Homelessness): explain the problem in the community, the country, the world, human existence as we know it, and propose a fantastical solution. (come up with a crazy plan build a car wash for them or place them in Trump 5-Star Hotels etc etc)…… Your paper should be 8-9 PAGES with an EXPLICIT THESIS that addresses the following points: o What would you like to change? o How do you plan on changing it? o Why do you want to change it? RESEARCH: The particular problem that plagues you may very well plague other people as well. You will have to do some background research: How long has this been a problem? How many people are affected? What has been done in the past to abate it? Why was it unsuccessful? Your solution may require some research as well. You probably wont find any legitimate sources about your crazy plan, but you may break down the practical pieces of your solution and synthesize them with some practical advice. For instance, Jonathan Swift didnt simply research eating babies; he treated infants like cattle and researched or inferred how much meat an animal of infant size would provide. He also applied cooking recipes and monetary equations that may better befit agricultural practices. Obtain at least THREE TO FOUR WEB, PRIMARY SOURCES, OR SCHOLARLY SOURCES that bolster your point. You may include more sources, but be cognizant of using research wisely. Provide proper MLA in-text citations and a Works Cited list. It is important to respect MLA format. Also below you have the outline, to have as a reference (structure) when you write the Homelessness proposal. I. Introduction (2-3 paragraphs) – Capture the audience with an anecdote. – Set the scene with descriptive/narrative details. II. Statement of Background (4-5 paragraphs) – What is the problem? How long has it been going on? – Who does it affect? Why should we care? – What has been done about it? Why hasnt it worked? – Facts and figures. III. Proposition (4-5 paragraphs) – Why now? – Explicit thesis. – Detail the steps of your plan. IV. Proof (4-5 paragraphs) – Why is your plan necessary? – What evils will it rid? – What other social spheres will your plan benefit? (Politics, health, home life, education, economy, et cetera) (THE TURN) V. Refutation (2-3 paragraphs)
