1. Satire A literary device holding up human vices and follies to ridicule and scorn

2. An Example… http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/88p9o h/the-word---president-barack-obama---to- health-in-a-handbasket http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/88p9o h/the-word---president-barack-obama---to- health-in-a-handbasket

3. Types of Satire Horatian – gentle, urbane, smiling. It aims to correct with broadly sympathetic laughter. Juvenalian – biting, bitter, angry. It points out the corruption of human beings and institutions with contempt

4. Analysis Look for the following rhetorical devices: Caricature Hyperbole Understatement Irony Wit Sarcasm Allusion Juxtaposition

5. The Cynic’s Dictionary Abstainer – a person who yields to the temptation of denying himself a pleasure. – Ambrose Bierce Adult – one who has ceased to grow vertically but not horizontally – Kevin Goldstein-Jackson Advertising – Legalised lying – H.G. Wells Fishing – an excuse to drink in the daytime – Jimmy Cannon

6. Cynic’s Dictionary Money – the only likeable thing about rich people – Lady Astor Monogamy – monotony –Zsa Zsa Gabor Science – the art of systematic over- simplification – Karl Popper Statistics – like a bikini: what they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital— Aaron Levenstein

7. Democracy and its definition A system in which you say what you like and do what you’re told.—Gerard Barry A system of choosing your dictators, after they’ve told you what you think it is you want to hear.— Alan Coven Government by discussion – but it’s only effective if you can stop people talking.—Clement Attlee An institution in which the whole is equal to the scum of its parts.—Keith Preston

8. Democracy and its definition A political system that substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few. – George Bernard Shaw The aristocracy of blackguards. – Lord Byron The worst form of government – except for all the others. –Winston Churchill The art of running the circus from the monkey cage.—H.L. Mencken

9. The Bill of Rights Too cumbersome at 10

10. Satire Examples The Onion and The Hummus Brookings Institute goals: Strengthen American democracy; Foster the economic and social welfare, security and opportunity of all Americans and Secure a more open, safe, prosperous and cooperative international system.

11. Questions to Answer What is the overall message we are to believe? What is the article satirizing? What literary devices are used to advance/demonstrate this message? 1 sheet per group – everyone’s name on it http://www.zazzle.com/political+satire+bump erstickers http://www.zazzle.com/political+satire+bump erstickers