Jonathan+Swift

=**“A Modest Proposal” By Jonathan Swift**=


 * I. Post-reading:** After reading "A Modest Proposal," you and your group members will craft an original response to the five prompts listed below. Groups 1 and 7 will answer question #1; Groups 2 and 8 will answer question #2; Groups 3 and 9 will answer question #3; Groups 4 and 10 will answer #4; Group 5 will answer # 5; Group 6 will answer #6. Don't hesitate to include other forms of media such as pictures, links, etc. The purpose is to create a study guide to which we have all contributed. This assignment is worth 20 points.

1. Identify Swift’s proposal. What type of response does he hope to get from his readers? The answer here should be a word that describes emotion. Identify five SPECIFIC examples from the text to support your answer.

2. Explain how Swift characterizes the poor people of Ireland utilizing SPECIFIC examples from the proposal. (Look specifically for a pattern of images beginning in paragraph 4.)

3. Whom does Swift satirize in this piece? Identify three targets of satire from “A Modest Proposal” and provide a SPECIFIC example to prove each assertion.

4. What personal prejudices does Swift reveal in this proposal?

5. Identify three ways in which Swift uses shock to persuade the reader. Support each example with at least one quotation from the work.

6. Provide three examples of “expedients” that Swift lists at the end of the proposal. What is the purpose of the list of “expedients” that Swift includes?

In your assigned groups, create your own modest proposal aimed at a contemporary social issue, for example, crime, pollution, political corruption, illiteracy, smoking, social security, etc. DO NOT MAKE PERSONAL ATTACKS OR ATTACKS ON SPECIFIC RACES, RELIGIONS, ETC. SEE ME IF YOU HAVE DOUBTS. Don't hesitate to include any links, pictures, or other forms of multi-media into your proposal. Use the resources that are available to you!
 * II. Enrichment activity:** Each group will create its own "modest proposal." This assignment is worth 30 points.

_ 3 **Focus:** The essay contains a “modest proposal” in the style of Swift. In other words, the proposal addresses a real, contemporary social or political issue and indicates why the issue is a concern

_ 12 **Content:** Develop three specific solutions to the contemporary problem (each should be __at least__ one paragraph); the essay contains at least two expedients (or realistic suggestions to effect change).

_ 9 **Style:** Evidence of understanding of satire through the use of __at least three__ satiric techniques: i.e., ridicule, irony, exaggeration, shock, criticism, etc.

_6 **Conventions:** Sentence formation: varied sentences, clear and concise, no run-ons or fragments; evidence of understanding of punctuation and spelling.

___ **30 Total Points

III. Evalution:** You will evaluate each other's proposals. Groups 1 and 2 will evaluate each other. Groups 3 and 4 will evaluate each other. Groups 5 and 6 will evaluate each other.
 * Step 1:** Each group must have at least two members from two separate groups evaluate its proposals. Use the scoring guide above. We will use the round robin approach:
 * Each group must secure one additional evaluation on its own. You should collectively choose the group and formally ask them to kindly complete an evaluation of your page. Each group should secure a total of two evaluations.**
 * Step 2:** Evaluate each other honestly. If you are fair, friendship is not a factor when giving constructive feedback.
 * Step 3:** Be prepared to answer questions regarding your proposal and the composition process.


 * All Modest Proposals are due on Wednesday, April 2. Your group evaluations of the proposals are due on Friday, April 4.**