Satirical Essay
Take an idea that you consider to be ridiculously wrong. It may be immoral, outrageous, or just stupid and ineffective. It may be, for example, an existing governmental policy, or it may be something you've completely made up. Write an essay taking the side opposite to your view.
You may use reverse psychology or otherwise write it in such a way that no one in his right mind could think you are serious, but you must never explicitly state your true side: e.g. "Obviously, I'm being sarcastic." or "But, of course, that would be ridiculous."
The essay must be no less than 500 words and no more than 1000.
Example:
An excerpt from Jonathan Swift's essay, A Modest Proposal
(For Preventing The Children of Poor People in Ireland From Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country, and For Making Them Beneficial to The Public.)
I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee or a ragout.
I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration that of the hundred and twenty thousand children already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, whereof only one-fourth part to be males; which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle or swine; and my reason is, that these children are seldom the fruits of marriage, a circumstance not much regarded by our savages, therefore one male will be sufficient to serve four females. That the remaining hundred thousand may, at a year old, be offered in the sale to the persons of quality and fortune through the kingdom; always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render them plump and fat for a good table. A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends; and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter.
The contest winner will win half of the prize pool of 90.00 member dollars. In this contest at least 5 submissions must be made for the vote to begin.
Deadline: Contest is closed. Deadline was Thursday, August 12, 2010.
Full Contest Listing
You may use reverse psychology or otherwise write it in such a way that no one in his right mind could think you are serious, but you must never explicitly state your true side: e.g. "Obviously, I'm being sarcastic." or "But, of course, that would be ridiculous."
The essay must be no less than 500 words and no more than 1000.
Example:
An excerpt from Jonathan Swift's essay, A Modest Proposal
(For Preventing The Children of Poor People in Ireland From Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country, and For Making Them Beneficial to The Public.)
I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee or a ragout.
I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration that of the hundred and twenty thousand children already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, whereof only one-fourth part to be males; which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle or swine; and my reason is, that these children are seldom the fruits of marriage, a circumstance not much regarded by our savages, therefore one male will be sufficient to serve four females. That the remaining hundred thousand may, at a year old, be offered in the sale to the persons of quality and fortune through the kingdom; always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render them plump and fat for a good table. A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends; and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter.
The contest winner will win half of the prize pool of 90.00 member dollars. In this contest at least 5 submissions must be made for the vote to begin.
Deadline: Contest is closed. Deadline was Thursday, August 12, 2010.
