ENG120 Grossmont College A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift analysis
Humanities
Modest proposal essay
Swift writes A Modest Proposal as a biting satirical commentary on the treatment of Irish natives at the hands of the British colonies. He carefully develops his mock argument in grotesque detail. your task will be to explain why Swift has chosen this medium for his political statement. Use historic and modern context to explain swifts rhetorical choices
Essay of three pages. You need to explain in the introduction (first paragraph) essay using the terms of Toulmin’s Argument format ( claim, Warrant, Support/ evidence, Rebuttal.)
in the second and third body paragraph discuss who is his audience? why would he try to reach them by using a satirical argument? How might his audience have reacted to this 18th century political commentary? What is your reaction to this grotesquely written proposal? How would their reaction differ if his argument was straightforward?
In the fourth and fifth body paragraphs ,what are some modern contextual examples that might parallel swifts clever means of social commentary? Also How does your understanding of these modern satires influence your perception of Swift and the accomplishments of this text?
in the six body paragraph Reflect on the social / political value of satire in the media be sure to include some modern contextual examples.
3 pages
typed double spaces
3 sources minimum ( 2 quotes from every source )
MLA formatted
