A Modest Imitation

1. A Modest Imitation A Rhetorical Analysis of Jonathan Swift’s ‘A Modest Proposal’ coupled with a brief rhetorical imitation By Welsford Scott Bishopric College Writing Professor Hlavaty • Swifts’ ‘A Modest Proposal’– Project Description– Analysis – Imitation– Challenges & Lessons– About Scott

2. About Me • From Eden, North Carolina • Finance / Economics Major • Business Fellow • Studied in Mexico over Winter Term • Loves to read anything from Candide to Fight Club • Swifts’ ‘A Modest Proposal’– Project Description– Analysis – Imitation– Challenges & Lessons– About Scott

3. Project Description Part one is a Rhetorical Analysis of Jonathon Swift’s ‘A Modest Proposal’ Part two is an Imitation of the Rhetorical style used by Swift as applied to a different issue – Immigration Reform Project most closely applies to the ENG 110 objective of the development of ‘An Appreciation for the capacity of writing to change oneself and the world.’ • Swifts’ ‘A Modest Proposal’– Project Description– Analysis – Imitation– Challenges & Lessons– About Scott

4. Swifts’ ‘A Modest Proposal’ Jonathon Swift’s ‘A Modest Proposal’ stands outs, not only as one of the great satirical works in the history of western literature, but also for its creative use of rhetoric. Swift’s skillful manipulation of his language and audience not only created one of the best examples of satirical rhetoric in western history, but brought much needed attention to the very real dehumanization occurring between the English upper classes and the poor. • Swifts’ ‘A Modest Proposal’– Project Description– Analysis – Imitation– Challenges & Lessons– About Scott

5. Analysis • I used my analysis to identify the traits which I would later be trying emulate, notably: • Integrating Logos, Pathos and Ethos seamlessly • Cultivating conflict within the audience by appealing to emotions and logic differently • Creating the persona of the writer whose beliefs make sense but are also appalling • Swifts’ ‘A Modest Proposal’– Project Description– Analysis – Imitation– Challenges & Lessons– About Scott

6. Imitation My project is a brief imitation of Jonathon Swift’s ‘A Modest Proposal’, which targets the issue of immigration reform in the same nature that Swift targets overpopulation – with barbarism and sarcasm in equal measure. • Swifts’ ‘A Modest Proposal’– Project Description– Analysis – Imitation– Challenges & Lessons– About Scott

7. Challenges & Lessons • Swifts’ ‘A Modest Proposal’– Project Description– Analysis – Imitation– Challenges & Lessons– About Scott • Challenges: • Designing my imitation so that it was extreme enough to be interesting, but also so that it avoided going ‘to far’ (Staying Funny) • Preserving Swift’s style and language when adapting it for a 21st century topic and audience • Lessons: • Sometimes the best way to forward your argument is to disguise your real thoughts, guiding your audience to come to the conclusions you want them to • The easiest way to get past writers block is simple – just write, revising something that is poorly written is better than staring at a blinking cursor on an empty page

8. Questions? Ask!