Below you will find the three responsibilities that you and your group members may choose from for this assignment. Be sure to complete ALL tasks outlined!
You will also find some resources on the designated page, as well as a grading rubric to reference. Also, you will get the text of Swift's work from me...Do not look for it online!
Sketch Artist
Your role in this investigation is to assume that Swift's radical ideas have been carried out. From this notion you will develop a number of things which creatively, will demonstrate your knowledge of satirical composition:
To Do List:
- You will need to do some research about how to construct a satire
- Next, you should peruse some other satirical works and look at today's media (the stuff we did in class about political cartoons, The Colbert Report)
- Following your research, construct an advertisement and catch phrase for Swift's argument (i.e. some little picture and phrase that will make someone want to eat children)
- Next, view at least one video, movie clip, etc. that relates to satire (I'll have a list provided in the resources)
- Finally, write up a 2-3 page paper which connects today's media, your video clip, and Swift's work and give your "evidence" to the prosecutor
Forensic/Biographic Detective
Your role in this investigation is to "draw" a character outline of the witness Jonathan Swift. For this task you will need to do a number of things:
To Do List:
- First, research the biographical information about Jonathan Swift from the websites you find (and I provide), as well as ONE non-internet source (book, magazine, video, etc.)
- Next, look up some information surrounding the context of Swift writing this piece (use the link I provide as a starting point)
- Following that inquiry, develop a pamphlet or small handout which would inform people about Swift and the happening surrounding this publication (perhaps writing a faux news article in a 1729 newspaper would be an idea). Then write a summary about your findings and why YOU think Swift might have written this piece of literature (2 pages)
- Finally, give the "evidence" to the prosecutor in your group
Prosecutor
Your designated role in this investigation is very analytical. You will need to go through Swift's paper and find instances of satire and create some form of presentation about them to sway the jury about whether he is guilty or not:
To Do List:
- You will need to read and reread Swift's article
- Go through class notes and websites to research the different methods and vehicles for satire and find instances of these in Swift's work
- Next, construct some form of presentation (poster, PowerPoint, legal case, etc.) to prove your points - Then, in a one to two page paper, sum up your groups thoughts about whether Swift was justified in writing this piece (based on each aspect you and your group members looked at)
- Finally, hand all projects in to the judge--Me.
YOUR TASK - "A Modest Proposal"
Welcome! Here you will find your chilling assignment into the world of Jonathan Swift and his horrid practices. You will group together with two other students and pick three roles for his presentation: the role of the skitch artist, the role of forensic/biographic detective, and the role prosecutor. Each of these roles will provide you with challenging and interesting ways of looking at satire, especially in the context of Swift's work "A Modest Proposal."
