Parody/ Satire Example

"Oprah Out of Control"
Headline in The Star

I have seen many horrible headlines
Of disasters on land and in air;
I have watched documentaries with breadlines
And pinched faces defining despair.
I have stood on the shores of the ocean
While the storm-surges darken and roll,
But I have never heard such a commotion
As Oprah out of control.

I have seen Jenny Jones stand as witness
And Geraldo go down on his back,
Kathy Lee giving lessons on fitness
And Montel telling how to be black.
I have watched Jerry Springer take cover
When a guy finds his filly's a foal
Or a girl finds a girl is her lover:
But Oprah out of control?

Oh, I hope that the world will be saner
When the talk-shows at last reach an end,
When poor mom needs no guard to restrain her
And a friend kisses only a friend.
But I cling to my pillow-- it's so soft--
And I shake to the depths of my soul,
And I shudder, in spite of my Zoloft,
At Oprah out of control.

R.S. Gwynn
first published in Light Quarterly, no. 32, Spring 2001
Republished in Poetry Daily (2003)

A real post of sorts.

Thanks to all who chose to create and maintain a blog over the next three weeks during Unit Four. I admit that blogging is rather addicting for me too! I keep fiddling with colors and borders and such... but I think I'm satisfied with the blog's appearance so far. If you have any suggestions for academic links or other (appropriate) blogs, leave me a comment to add them.

I've received some really interesting questions about this unit, which shows me that you're thinking hard about the assignments and how to represent them in your unit project. The class activities are designed to expand your thinking, challenge you, and give you an opportunity to explore alternate genres. The writing assignments build on the activities, which you should try at home and then post on your blog or work them into your performance. If you're not clicking with the prompt-- which happens-- try the "Extras" in your readings packet or free-write, compose a poem, post past explorations, or post a picture and respond to it. Just get the writing done!

P.S. Someone in my office just walked by and said, "Are you blogging at school?" Yes, I'm blogging at school: disciples unite!