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Social Commentary. Writing Social Commentary – English 10 - Barrus. Introduction. Now that you have read some examples of satire and seen some examples of irony and parody, we are going to move to see if you can write a piece of social commentary. End Product. What will it look like?
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Social Commentary Writing Social Commentary – English 10 - Barrus
Introduction • Now that you have read some examples of satire and seen some examples of irony and parody, we are going to move to see if you can write a piece of social commentary.
End Product • What will it look like? • It can be a letter, an essay, a blog post (live on a blog), or a satirical article.
When is it due? • The first draft should be brought to class Tuesday, February 19th.
Requirements Use the stylistic and structural elements we’ve learned thus far • Sentences by themselves for emphasis • Logos, ethos, pathos • Rhetorical questions • The dash/syntax Use linguistic elements we’ve learned thus far • Hyperbole • Sarcasm • Allusion • Careful diction • Metaphor
Ways to begin… • Intro: series of rhetorical questions • “Is your little leaguer so fat his blood type is Chee-tos?”…Is it difficult for your six year-old to play Hide and Seek anymore?” • Statement of problem • “Over the last 20 years the number of overweight children in this country has doubled.”
In supporting and concluding paragraphs 3. Presentation of data • “According to the Center for Disease Control, one in three kids born in 2000 will contract type 2 diabetes.” 4. Suggested solutions to the problem via command • “Stop jumping up and driving the kids three blocks to their friends’ house.”
To conclude • One sentence clincher -- “Life isn’t fair in the NFL” • Rhetorical question/one-sentence clincher: ‘But who said life was fair?” Further examples: • Rhetorical questions: “Was Shaq rocked by scandal? Did principals pull his book off school library shelves?” • Rhetorical question “What, you thought white guys had feelings?”
The Dash • A dash is a mark of separation stronger than a comma, less formal than a colon, and more relaxed than parentheses. • Strunk and White, The Elements of Style
The Dash cont. • The Opener: • I’ll let you in on a little secret, ladies—every time I hear the click clack of high heels, I shake my head and have a little laugh to myself
The Dash cont. • Interrupter • It’s unfortunate that Bri—one of the brightest and most genuine people in all of Denver—is a victim of the female infatuation with high heels…
The Dash cont. • Closer • That’s not saying all problems are caused by high heels—they’re not.
The Dash cont. • List pattern • So when I see my friend Bri roll up in a wheelchair with casts on two extremities--a bulky hard cast running from her left thigh to her foot, and a sleeker black cast covering her left wrist and hand--the laughter escapes my lips.
Your Assignment • Write a piece of social criticism. Begin by: • Researching • Collecting information • Writing 1000-1200 words about the topic of your choice. • Incorporate three of the techniques covered today: • Sentences by themselves for emphasis • Logos, ethos, pathos • Rhetorical questions • The dash/syntax • Highlight, underline, or otherwise designate the techniques in your draft