A Modest Proposal

Nonfiction | Essay / Speech | Adult | Published in 1729

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Introduction

Before Reading

Reading Context

During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Answer Key

After Reading

Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Multiple Choice

1. D (Various paragraphs)

2. B (Various paragraphs)

3. D (Paragraphs 1-2)

4. C (Paragraphs 1-4)

5. D (Paragraph 11)

6. D (Various paragraphs)

7. B (Paragraph 5)

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Long-Answer Response

1. Both the narrator and Swift’s intended audience is most likely the politicians of England and Ireland; however, while the narrator would be writing to these elites with a serious suggestion, Swift uses paralipsis within his satire to mock this audience. (Various paragraphs)

2. The overall tone of the essay is earnest and serious; it primarily uses a logos-based rhetoric (one based on statistical data, recorded evidence, and reasoning) to support his argument. (Various paragraphs)