Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Ap Literature & Composition: Satire and Humor
This unit focuses on satire and humor; it defines satire as a literary device used to expose follies, vices, and hypocrites to bring about change. It includes links to Gullivers Travels and Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift, "The Rape of...
Other
Literary Lessons: Onomatopoeia
Definition and origin of onomatopoeia. A humorous perspective on the formation of common words we use in everyday speech and the relationship between words and the way they sound.
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: English Language Arts, Grade 9: Laughter
Students understand that specific structures and literary elements create humorous effects in a variety of print and nonprint sources. Students explore the development of humor to determine a text's deeper meaning and purpose, and apply...
Washington State University
Washington State University: Literary Movements: Local Color Fiction, 1865 1895
This site from Washington State University provides a good look at the regionalism and local color of American literature from 1865-1895. A definition is included, practitioners, characteristics, and techniques. There are many links to...
British Library
British Library: Language & Literature: Dickens in Context
Literary analysis of themes typically found in the work of Charles Dickens considers questions of poverty and wealth, crime and punishment, industrialization, childhood, caricature, and similar concepts of interest to readers of...
PBS
Pbs Ken Burns: American Lives: Mark Twain
In his time, Mark Twain was considered the funniest man on earth. Yet he was also an unflinching critic of human nature, using his humor to attack hypocrisy, greed and racism. In this series, Ken Burns has created an illuminating...
Other
Clermont College: Immune System
This complete resource provides a thorough discussion of the immune system. Topics include the non-specific defense mechanism, specific defense mechanism, humoral immune system, cell-mediated immune system, and more.
Unite for Literacy
Unite for Literacy: Our Joke Book
A colorful joke book with monsters and animals. Includes audio accompaniment.
University of Victoria (Canada)
The U Vic Writer's Guide: Literary Term: Humour
This site from The UVic Writer's Guide provides a general description of the term humour. Content includes a literary example.
Other
Greek Mythology Today and Myth of the Month
A large Greek mythology site focused on students and expressing a great love of Greek myth. Contains the Myth of the Month, as well as Homework Help concerning myths. Humorous and colorful.
Aaron Shepherd
How Frog Went to Heaven, a Tale of Angola (Rt)
This reader's theater version of a folktale from Angola has been adapted by children's book author Aaron Shepard from his short story "How Frog Went to Heaven." For 16 players, ages 7-9, the story explores themes of inventiveness and...
Aaron Shepherd
The Magic of Mushkil Gusha, a Tale of Iran (Rt)
A reader's theater version of a folktale from Iran for ten players, ages 9-13. Adapted by children's book author Aaron Shepard from his short story "The Magic of Mushkil Gusha," the story explores themes of thankfulness and sharing....
Aaron Shepherd
The Magic Brocade, a Tale of China (Reader's Theater)
A reader's theater version of a folktale from China for nine players, ages 8-15. It touches on themes related to following one's dreams and the creative process. Adapted by children's book author Aaron Shepard from his picture book "The...
New York University
Jacques Derrida: News Article by Mitchell Stephens
Interesting and critical news article about Derrida, the father of deconstruction. Discusses the difficulty inherent in this theory in a humorous way.
Other
Oxymorons
Fifty-one oxymorons and a writing sample using the literary device throughout. Interesting and funny resource for learning oxymorons. Shows examples of oxymorons we use in everyday speech.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Pun
This lesson introduces puns in writing. This tutorial lesson shares a short slideshow with the lesson's content.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Prosperity: Labor Strike
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Mark Twain: Storyteller, Novelist, and Humorist
By examining two primary source activities and a short video, students will learn how this literary icon used humor and a uniquely American voice to chronicle post-Civil War life in the United States.
Other
Hon Allergy Glossary: Antibody (Ab)
A good paragraph with abundant vocabulary links that can help you determine the role of the function of antibodies.
Sacred Text Archive
Jewish Fairy Tales and Legends by "Aunt Naomi"
This is the index page to the full text of a vivid collecton of Jewish folklore that entertains and teaches. This book, originally published in 1919, is based on tales from the Talmud and Midrash. While some of the themes are familiar...
Read Works
Read Works: Not So Loony Toons
[Free Registration/Login Required] A literary text about editorial cartoons and how they use symbolism, exaggeration, humor, and caricature. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Other
The Wondering Minstrels
The Wondering Minstrels website provides a poem a day, complete with analysis, criticism, biographical information, literary anecdotes, trivia, and our own skewed sense of humor. RL.9-10.10a&b text complexity, RL.11-12.10a/b Text...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Rise of Realism
This resource provides a wealth of information about the period of American literature from 1860-1914. There are eight good articles discussing the movements of realism, regionalism, and naturalism, the rise of black American literature,...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Zadie Smith
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Zadie Smith, a British author known for her treatment of race, religion, and cultural identity and for her novels' eccentric characters, savvy humor, and snappy dialogue. She became a...