1. Jonathan Swift [pub. 1729]
"A Modest Proposal: for Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland from Being a Burden to their Parents, or the Country, and for Making them Beneficial to the Public"

2. Satire—is the humorous or critical treatment of a subject in order to expose that subject’s follies [lack of good sense] or stupidities
The intention of such satire is to educate or reform by exposing the subject to ridicule
Swift’s essay, “A Modest Proposal,” is often viewed as the quintessential piece of satire
The Situation: Across the country of Ireland poor children, predominantly Protestants, are living in squalor [filth and misery] because their families are too poor to keep them fed and clothed
Nothing is being done to help bring them out of the extreme poverty they are faced with
Past “rational” solutions have not been effective, so he proposes a radical solution to the social problem
So Swift proposes that Irish infants be sold as food at age one, when they are plump and healthy, to give the Irish a new source of income and the English a new food product to bolster their economy and eliminate a social problem
In theory, if the proposal was implemented, it could help to solve the problem

3. Critically Reading “A Modest Proposal”
Don’t get frustrated—it is a very complicated text that needs to be read more than once
With your partner, brainstorms 2-3 questions that you have about Swift’s essay
Define key words
Who is his audience? Whom is he writing to and whom is he attacking?
Written to the impoverished people of Ireland who serve as tenants to rich, absentee English landlords
He is attacking the greedy English landlords
Page One: Introduction to issue; establishes expertise/persona; current policy/law is not effective; “modest” plan revealed
Page Two: Support of claim: additional social benefits; use of “stats”; partial counter-argument; pokes fun at whom? why?
Page Three: Weight of child/how many meals/etc.; pokes fun again; nothing is wasted; refutes friend’s suggestion
Page Four: counter-arguments & refutations; lists his supporting reasons for proposal
Page Five: continues his supporting reasons/social benefits; alternative solutions and their ineffectiveness
Page Six: disclaimer [a denial or disassociation] and its purpose

5. Journal #14: Essay #3, Prewriting Activity
How would you describe the citizens of California? Include everything from race to ethnicity to values to religious beliefs to political ideologies, etc.; list different “types” of Californians
Brainstorm a list of social issues that plague Californians. Think about the issues that Californians have exigency for [exigency—a case or situation that demands prompt action or remedy]
Brainstorm a list of “pet peeves” that infect California society [a “pet peeve” is a particular and often continual annoyance; source of irritation]
From your lists, identify TWO issues/ “pet peeves” that you would want to write about/explore
**One of these identified issues can be the same as the topic for Essay #2

6. Journal #16: Building a Thesis for Essay #3
Step One: Answer the following questions:
A] What is the problem/issue?
B] Who is the target audience?
C] What is the shocking proposal to solve the problem?
D] In a general sense, how will this proposal improve society?
Student Example: In order to rid our society of these greedy water wasters [social issue], Southern Californians [target audience] must support my modest proposal to indefinitely shut off their water source and charge them a hefty fine [“modest plan” for solving the problem], to teach these degenerates the importance of water conservation [how plan will improve society].
Step Two: Combine your A-D into a working thesis statement [IN ANY ORDER]
Step Three: Now, exchange papers with your partner and provide both positive [2-3 comments] and constructive [2-3 comments] feedback on your partner’s working thesis
Be sure your feedback addresses the following questions:
How shocking is the proposal? Will it serve as a deterrent?
How is the plan “beneficial” for California society? Other benefits?
How does the chosen Californian reflect the topic/proposal?
How is the proposal logistically sound?
How can the author establish a stronger voice? Name call? Suggest some foul language.
**Judge the writing, NOT the writer**
Step Four: Based on the feedback received, revise your thesis

7. Research for Essay #3
For Essay #3: “A Modest Proposal,” you are REQUIRED to locate, gather, and skillfully implement 3-4 outside sources from the Chaffey College Database
These sources will serve in one [or more] of the following ways:
provides background information on your topic,
supports your thesis [evidence to prove a supporting reason],
argues against your thesis [evidence that reflects the C/A], or
refutes the C/A [evidence that proves the refutation]
For Wednesday’s class, you need to locate, print, and actively read THREE sources from the CCD

8. Peer Review of Outline: “A Modest Proposal”
Actively read over your peer’s outline, making notes, observations, asking questions in the margins—provide a balance of positive & constructive feedback
Not the peer’s job to “correct” or “catch” every mistake; his or her job is to provide feedback, to provide direction for the writer, working towards the rough draft
Judge the writing, NOT the writer
I] Introduction Section:
a] How is the title scholarly? Can you suggest a better image/idea to engage the TA?
b] How can the author further embellish/prove the severity of the issue? Hook to engage the audience? Establish a voice/persona? Show expertise in regards to the social issue?
c] Does the author effectively discuss past solutions and their ineffectiveness?
d] Where can the author include an outside source? If there is an outside source included, is the source framed, RELEVANT, and cited correctly?
e] How effectively does the thesis state the following: social issue + target audience + shocking proposal to solve the problem + how it will improve California]
II] Body Paragraph Section:
a] Does the author clearly outline the implementation steps/logistics of the plan? What is missing? What “holes” do you see in the proposal? Too complicated? Not clear who is in charge? Cost?
b] Does the author include clear social benefits [3-4] to support the plan? Can you suggest other social benefits for California?
c] Does the author present a reasonable counter-argument to his/her plan and offer a clear refutation of it? If so, is it effective? If not, can you offer a suggestion for a reasonable counter-argument to the thesis? Secondary source for either the C/A and/or the refutation?
d] What are the alternative solutions and why are they ineffective? If they did not include this part, please add suggestions
**Remember, this paragraph should be the “real” solutions to the social issue
III] Conclusion Section:
a] Does the author include an original/creative disclaimer? Provide suggestions for revision.
IV] Overall Thoughts:
a]Where can the author be more offensive in his/her plan?
b] What is the biggest strength of the outline? What is the biggest weakness of the outline?

9. Peer Review of Rough Draft
Step One: Preparing your Draft
Double underline your thesis statement
Label each “section” of your proposal margin [Introduction, Implementation, Supporting Reasons/Social Benefits, Counter-argument, Refutation, Alternative Solutions, Conclusion]
Step Two: Have a brief conversation with your peer about your essay. What is working in rough draft and where are you struggling? [5 minutes]
Switch drafts with your partner
Step Three—With your pen down, read your peer’s draft; enjoy the experience of reading someone else’s Modest Proposal [8 minutes]
Step Four—Active Reading of Peer’s Draft [30 minutes]
Make sure you include a balance of positive and constructive feedback to your peer; your goal is 4-5 comments/question per paragraph
Step Five—Complete the Peer Review Rubric [10 minutes]
Take your time and assess each content area as listed on the grid and then provide specific and useful feedback for your peer regarding your rating
Step Six—Peer Conversation [10 minutes]
beginning with the strengths of your peer’s essay, share your perspectives and insights; each peer should have the chance to speak for about 5 minutes

10. Disclaimer: