Writing an Analysis of a Humorous Text

Unit 5 Embedded Assessment

Prompt: For your last majorwriting assignment of the academic year, you have the opportunity to read and analyze a humorous short story. You will write a critical analysis of the assigned text explaining how the author uses humor to communicate a universal truth and evaluating his or her effectiveness.

Short Story Choices:

“Priscilla and The Wimps” (pgs. 343-345)

“The Ransom of Red Chief” by O. Henry (McDougal Littellanthology pgs. 70 - 79)

Getting Started:

  • Identify the level(s) of comedy used in the story and support using passages from the text.
  • Identify variouselements of humor(vocabulary) that the author uses and support using passages from the text.
  • Describe the comedic effect that the elements of humor have on the reader.
  • Identify the “universal truth” that is evident in the story.

Good Luck & Have Fun!!!

Humorous Terms

In your essay, you need to incorporate the following humorous vocabulary:

  1. Levels of Comedy (mandatory)
  • High and Low (pages 330 – 333)
  • Vocab from which to choose: sarcastic, laughable, witty, ironic, irreverent, mocking, hysterical, cute, mirthful, amusing, light-hearted (at least 2) (page 317)
  1. Three Main Theories of Humor (at least one) (pages 313 – 314)

A.Release Theory

B.Superiority Theory

C.Incongruity Theory

  1. Elements of Humor (at least four immersed throughout) (page 334)

Comic Characters and Caricatures

Comic Situations: parody, irony, blunder, anecdote, slapstick

Comic Language: pun, one-liner, banter, hyperbole, sarcasm, wit, mock

  1. Intended Response (3 total) (page 318)

guffaw, outburst, chuckle, smirk, giggle, groan, smirk, snicker, smile

BP 1

Explain the comic situation or comic character/caricature.

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Identify and explain the level of comedy.______

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Select a specific example from the text to support the element(s) of humor. Page # ______

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Use at least one “humorous vocab term”discussed in class to illustrate the type of comedy.

“The author uses ______which is evident when . . . .” ______

Incorporate at least one “intended response”term to illustrate the comedic effect.

______- ______

BP 2

Explain the comic situation or comic character/caricature.

______

______

______

Identify and explain the level of comedy.______

______

______

______

Select a specific example from the text to support the element(s) of humor. Page # ______

______

______

______

Use at least one “humorous vocab term”discussed in class to illustrate the type of comedy.

“The author uses ______which is evident when . . . .” ______

Incorporate at least one “intended response” term to illustrate the comedic effect.

______- ______

BP 3

Explain the comic situation or comic character/caricature.

______

______

______

Identify and explain the level of comedy.______

______

______

______

Select a specific example from the text to support the element(s) of humor. Page # ______

______

______

______

Use at least one “humorous vocab term”discussed in class to illustrate the type of comedy.

“The author uses ______which is evident when . . . .” ______

Incorporate at least one “intended response” term to illustrate the comedic effect.

______- ______

Unit 5

Analysis of a Humorous Text

Brainstorming

Title of short story: ______

Comic Characters / Comic Situations