Read with care and attention Jonathan Swift’s classical satirical essay, “A Modest Proposal.”
Then you are to write a satirical essay titled “A Not-So-Modest Proposal.” Topic possibilities are endless – virtually any complaint you have about the ways things and people are could work as a basic topic. A good way to get started on this paper might be to brainstorm a list of your top ten gripes and pet peeves of the moment. Then consider which ones are worth a major attack through a satirical proposal. Do not, however, personally attack another person. Be tasteful!
What you’ll be doing is proposing an outrageous remedy in a reasonable voice. Be sure in your paper to put verbal irony to good use. Notice in reading Swift’s essay how many times he is saying one thing but really meaning the other. You’ll be using this strategy throughout your essay. The resulting tension between what you say and what you really mean is a large part of the fun of satire. Remember, good satire never lets on that it is not serious.
Proposal Writing Guidelines:
Even though you’re being satirical, you’ll need to fulfill all the conventions of any proposal:
establish that a problem exists;
detail exactly how your proposal will work;
provide arguments and evidence that it can work;
and respond to such potential objections as self-interest and lack of feasibility.
What should be kept in mind in writing and revising the satirical essay?
1. Choose as your topic something you’d like to see change or be reconsidered.
2. Choose a subject about which you feel strongly.
3. Decide which satirical method best suits your purpose.
4. Give the appearance of writing seriously. The appearance of the truth is called
“verisimilitude.” Verisimilitude is necessary in order to engage your reader’s
thoughtful attention and lead him through the intellectual game of satire. The ideal is
to be taken initially as serious so that the gradual revelation of satirical purpose is enhanced.
5. Be sure your satirical proposal becomes apparent. Satire backfires if it does injury to the cause in which it is written. There’s no preventing the truly stupid from
misreading by reading satire literally, but you should be sure to scatter the “keys” to your satire along the way so that most readers will be able to unlock your purpose.
Minimum length: Three to four full typed, MLA formatted, double-spaced pages (or more if needed to complete your proposal).
Below is a fine example of Swiftonian irony and satire.
