Essay Rough Draft Quiz

Satire and parody are two closely related literary forms. Watch “The Writers Table” video below about the differences between them. Then explain whether Sowell’s story is parody or satire. Write one to two paragraphs for your answer, giving specific examples from the story to support your ideas.

Write a paragraph to introduce your reader to the fable, “The Grasshopper and the Ant” by summarizing the plot. Point out that an altered version of the fable is currently taught in many elementary schools and describe the changes in plot and characterization.  State that Thomas Sowell wrote a parody of the revised fable that makes an assertion about the message of the revision. Write a thesis statement that lets readers know whether or not you agree with the main assertion Sowell makes in his parody of the revised fable. 

Identify the moral of the revised fable commonly taught in schools today. Explain the way the plot communicates the moral. Explain why teaching this moral to children is either reasonable or unreasonable. What are the potential outcomes of teaching this moral to children on an individual level? What are the outcomes of teaching this moral to children on a communal level? Include a direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary from the fable and a parenthetical citation from the revised version. 

Summarize Sowell’s parody of the fable. Include information about changes to the plot and changes in characterization. Describe Sowell’s tone and the purpose his tone serves in persuading the readers to accept his view. What social commentary is Sowell making? What area of society is he concerned about most, the economy, politics, or morality? State in one sentence the assertion Sowell is making, which is the main point he is arguing and the reason he wrote the parody in the first place. Include a direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary from the fable and a parenthetical citation from Sowell’s version.

Download template sheet from Swarthmore Writing Center here.