British Library
British Library: Wilde's the Importance of Being Earnest: A Close Reading
In this lesson, students will consider several aspects of Oscar Wilde's most popular of comedies, "The Importance of Being Earnest". The success of this play is in part due to its examination of moral principles - in this case, the...
iCivics
I Civics: Mini Lesson B: Satire
Students explore how satirical news stories, like political cartoons, are meant to poke fun, not to trick people. Students learn to spot satire and understand both the joke and the purpose of this news-related genre.
Library of Congress
Loc: Cartoon America
includes political illustrations, gag cartoons, Online collection that includes comic strips, illustrations, animation, and caricature.
Contemplator
Contemplator's Short History: John Gay and the Beggar's Opera
A biography of John Gay. This site also contains many related links including one of the the entire text of his play, "The Beggar's Opera."
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Kirjasto: John Gay (1685 1732)
A brief biography of the English poet, John Gay.
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Horace Quintus Horatius Flaccus
A general biography of Qintus Horatius Flaccus, better known as Horace, an outstanding lyric poet and satirist.
Ted Nellen
Cyber English (By Ted Nellen): Satire
This is a glossary entry for the term "Satire" including definitions and examples. Also offers links to more information and examples.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Moliere
Wikipedia provides detailed biographical information on Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (1622-1673 CE), also known as Moliere, a French theatre writer, director, actor, and the master of satire.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Juvenal
Wikipedia offers brief biographical information on Juvenal, Roman satiric poet of the 1st century A.D.
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: Author: William Makepeace Thackeray
This site focuses on William Makepeace Thackeray including a link to a Thackeray biography and a link to the full text of his satirical novel Vanity Fair, a panoramic portrait of English society.
Other
Spelling police.com: Literary Devices
A simple list of literary terms. Click on each for a definition and examples.
Bartleby
Bartleby.com: Cambridge History of Eng and Am Lit: Marston's Life
A brief biography of John Marston's life and career.
Bartleby
Bartleby.com: John Skelton
This Cambridge History of English and American Literature entry for John Skelton defines his place in English Renaissance literature.
Virtual Salt
Virtual Salt: A Glossary of Literary Terms
This site provides a long list of literary terms complete with full definitions and examples.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Alexander Pope
Explore the world of Alexander Pope through the links found in this informative resource. This site provides links to biographical information and lesson plans for "The Rape of Lock."
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Humor in Writing
Eight slides introducing different types of humor in writing including irony, caricature, satire, wit, blunders, hyperbole, jokes, practical jokes, and puns.
Other
Ambrose Bierce's "The Devil's Dictionary"
Created in the image of the the book of the same name, these diabolical definitions are Bierce's satirical ridicule of the status quo. Many of these satirical definitions are accompanied by quotations.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Exploring Satire With the Simpsons
Contains plans for three lessons that use the popular television show "The Simpsons" to teach about satire and satirical techniques. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan contains links to PDF handouts and...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Exploring Satire With Shrek
The movie Shrek introduces the satirical techniques of exaggeration, incongruity, reversal, and parody. Students brainstorm fairy tale characteristics, identify satirical techniques, then create their own satirical versions of fairy tales.
CommonLit
Common Lit: A Modest Proposal
A learning module that begins with "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free teacher...
CommonLit
Common Lit: "Wealthy Teen Nearly Experiences Consequences" by the Onion Staff
A learning module that begins with the satirical article "Wealthy Teen Nearly Experiences Consequences" by The Onion Staff, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed...
CommonLit
Common Lit: Natural Selection Kills 38 Quadrillion Organisms in Bloodiest Day
A learning module that begins with the satirical article "Natural Selection Kills 38 Quadrillion Organisms in Bloodiest Day" by The Onion Staff, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The...
CommonLit
Common Lit: Themes: Comedy & Tragedy: What Can We Learn From Comedy?
This is a collection of Grade-Leveled texts (3-12) to address the question, "What can we learn from comedy?" Select a grade level and a collection of on grade-level reading passages on the topic comes up. [Free account registration...
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: How a Muzhik Fed Two Officials by Mikhail Yevgrafovich Saltykov
Classic Reader provides numerous classic short stories from famous authors. One work is "How a Muzhik Fed Two Officials," a story written by the Russian satirist from the 1800's, Mikhail Yevgrafovich Saltykov.