Satire example?

[Katie Rojeski]

My students are starting "Huck Finn" and I am teaching them the concept of satire. I would like to assign a short story or poem to read that is a clear example of satire. Any ideas? In the past, I've assigned "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift, but I had some parents complain that is was inappropriate because it's disturbing. Any other ideas?

[Erin Breaux]

Wow, apparently the parents don't get the satire. It's really shocking that they complained about that. If I think of a poem or short story, I'll let you know. I can't think of one at the moment.

[Jennie Bernier]

I have used portions of Shrek (the first, but the others could work too) to teach four techniques of satire: exaggeration, reversal, incongruity, and/or parody. Readwritethink.org has clips from the movie to show each. I have found that students get engaged in this, and are able to think of the movie in a whole new way. I can foresee that there may be difficulty reconnecting to the literature, though.
I always like Judy Brady's "I want a Wife". Quick read, not very subtle, but has a lot to say about society & gender roles.

[Csanders]

How about "The Unknown Citizen" by W. H. Auden?

Another useful source (carefully screened) is MAD magazine.

[Sara Barth]

The flash video really shows parody in a way kids can understand.
The untitled cartoon, demonstrates satire in a more TV-MA (South-Parkish) sort of way.

[Anna Cardenas]

I use this article to introduce satire. It's easy for students to get satire that is funny; difficult for them to understand satire that isn't.
And "A Modest Proposal" is disturbing, as was English treatment of the Irish... Satire is tough, but so fun.

[Jennie Bernier]

This article reminds me articles from The Onion--online satirical newspaper. These also need screening to be used in the classroom, but are definitely fun!

[Anna Cardenas]

It's from the Onion I believe. Family Guy and Simpsons clips would work too.

[Sharanda Payseur]

I love using Weird Al for parody and then Steven Colbert "The Word" clips.

[Lisa Laskey]

I have also used the high school students demand wars piece to explain satire for Huckleberry Finn, along with a piece called "Life Without Nsync" which I'll attach. Then I have them create skits after the samples and discussion of what satire is and isn't. I stress that without an underlying serious point about an issue, then they simply have comedy. Hope this helps.

[Katie]

In my class, we analyzed clips from The Simpsons for elements of satire. We read the picture book The Paper Bag Princess first, to introduce parody, incongruity, reversal, and exaggeration as techniques used in satire. Then, we read some satirical how-to pieces by Dave Barry--hilarious. Students wrote their own satirical how-to pieces. My kids really enjoyed this, and seemed to "get" satire by the end of our unit. This makes a great introduction to deeper satirical pieces. The students understood the techniques before encountering the harder material, and it made it easier for them to grasp it.

[Tim Adams]

Sad about "A Modest Proposal," though perhaps that is the hook for students: that even otherwise educated people (we'll give the parents the benefit of the doubt here) can misunderstand satire if they have not been taught about satire.

I use the late Mike Royko's "Wrong Mom? Tough!" and "Avoid the Christmas Rush," two of his columns (can't remember the title of the collection). Each has a fairly discernible "problem" for which the satirist offers a solution; and each has an attitude or human misunderstanding which is the real target of the satire. With a little guidance, students seem to get it.

[Gary Anderson]

Be sure to take a look at this earlier post on satire that also has a lot of good ideas.