Writing that is OK.

1. In “At a Funeral” Mark Twain pokes fun at the social norms surrounding a very serious subject. In a well written essay analyze Twain’s attitude toward his subject and how he creates humor in the piece. Consider such items as tone, diction, selection of detail and use of unexpected.

2. Writing that is OK. • A. Mark Twain uses diction. • B. He says, “If the odor of the flowers is too oppressive for your comfort, remember that they were not brought for you.” • C. This is satiric because the flowers were not brought for you, they were brought for the dead person.

3. Writing that is Better • A. Mark Twain’s ___________ use of satire is evident in his discussion of the flowers that were brought for the ____________. Many people in the _______________ find their “______________” “_____________” but Twain says they must remember that they “were not brought her for them.” They are for the _______________.

4. Writing that is Better • A. Mark Twain’s skillful use of satire is evident in his discussion of the flowers that were brought for the ____________. Many people in the _______________ find their “______________” “_____________” but Twain says they must remember that they “were not brought her for them.” They are for the _______________.

5. Writing that is Better • A. Mark Twain’s skillful use of satire is evident in his discussion of the flowers that were brought for the deceased. Many people in the congregation find their “______________” “_____________” but Twain says they must remember that they “were not brought her for them.” They are for the _______________.

6. Writing that is Better • A. Mark Twain’s skillful use of satire is evident in his discussion of the flowers that were brought for the deceased. Many people in the congregation find their “odor” “_____________” but Twain says they must remember that they “were not brought her for them.” They are for the _______________.

7. Writing that is Better • A. Mark Twain’s skillful use of satire is evident in his discussion of the flowers that were brought for the deceased. Many people in the congregation find their “odor” “oppressive” but Twain says they must remember that they “were not brought her for them.” They are for the _______________.

8. Writing that is Better • A. Mark Twain’s skillful use of satire is evident in his discussion of the flowers that were brought for the deceased. Many people in the congregation find their “odor” “oppressive” but Twain says they must remember that they “were not brought her for them.” They are for the deceased.

9. Writing that is SUPER Better • A. Mark Twain’s skillful use of satire is evident in his discussion of the flowers that were brought for the deceased. Many people in the congregation find their “odor” “oppressive” but Twain says they must remember that they “were not brought her for them.” They are for the deceased. Twain makes a statement about how people are so self centered they can’t stop thinking about themselves or their delicate noses even at a funeral.

10. Write a paragraph that discusses the following quote. • “…If these statistics seem to fail to tally with the facts, in places, do not nudge your neighbor, or press your foot upon his toes, or manifest, by any other sign, your awareness that taffy is being distributed.”