Mod 2 Discussion: Stages of language development and comprehension

Subject Area: Journalism
Lesson Topic: Satirical Writing
Text: A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift

Comprehension Question:
How does Swift use humor in "A Modest Proposal" to criticize society's attitudes towards poverty?

Language Development Stages:

• Preproduction: Can you find parts in the text where Swift is making fun of how people think about poor people?
• Early Production: Explain one problem Swift is making fun of in "A Modest Proposal." How does he use humor to show it's ridiculous?
• Speech Emergence: What are some funny things Swift says in "A Modest Proposal" to make fun of the British government's response to poverty in Ireland?
• Intermediate Fluency: How does Swift use humor in "A Modest Proposal" to criticize the social and political issues of his time? Can you find examples from the text?
• Advanced Fluency: Break down Swift's use of satire in "A Modest Proposal" and discuss how effectively he gets his message across about poverty in 18th-century Ireland.