Preparing for Socratic Seminar

Guiding Question:
How does an author create humor for effect and use it to communicate a universal truth?

Reread SpringBoard Text:

Essay: “Made You Laugh” pg. 251-255

Humorous Anecdote: “Brothers” pg. 266-267

Essay: “I’ve got a few pet peeves about sea creatures” pg. 272-273

Article: “Underfunded Schools Forced to Cut Past Tense from Language Programs” pg.
277-278

Also, include information from your comedic Independent Reading Book

And…Anything from any of the videos we watched in class…

Prepare for a Socratic Seminar discussion, based on your analysis of the various texts
and videos:
*Develop Levels of Questions
*Write an Opening Statement for Socratic Seminar

Remember to maintain a formal style in your speaking during the Socratic Seminar.
Be sure to:

 Establish a clear controlling idea about conveying a truth.

 Use transitions to create cohesion and clarify relationships among ideas and concepts.
 Use precise diction to describe humorous effects.
 Cite specific evidence from the text.
 Use precise verbs such as communicates, creates, emphasizes, or illustrates when
discussing the author’s purpose.
 Use the author’s last name: “Barry creates humor by ...”
 Cite textual evidence to support your opinion.
 Brainstorm other precise verbs that will help in your discussion. Do you have any other
tips for using formal language?
Levels of Questions “I’ve got a few pet peeves about
sea creatures”

Level I Literal What are the two times Barry

mentions zucchini?

Level II Interpretive What is the significance of zucchini to

him? Why can this be classified as
high comedy, while “Brothers” may
be considered low comedy?

Level III Universal (thematic) Is caring for a pet a good experience

for kids?

When creating questions and discussing comedy, considering using TWIST:

Tone Remember to include in your

questions and discussion:
What is the author’s attitude about the
topic?
~ techniques comedians and writers use
Word choice to create comedy:
Repetition, clever word play, wit,
What specific diction does the author use imagery, specific details, relatable topics,
for effect? word choice…

Imagery ~ the difference between high & low

What specific descriptive details and
figurative language does the author use for
effect?
Style
How does the author use language to
create humor?
What is the intended response the author
hopes to achieve?
Theme
What is the central idea of this text?
What idea about life is the author trying to
convey through humor?
comedy…
Satire, a form of high comedy, is the use
of irony, sarcasm, and/or ridicule in
exposing, denouncing,
and/or deriding human vice and folly.
Irony – opposite of what is meant or
expected
Sarcasm – a bitter or cutting remark that
mocks or taunts
Ridicule – to make fun of
Denouncing – to condemn; express
strong disapproval
Deriding – to mock; taunt
Vice – immoral or evil habit or practice
Folly – foolish action; an absurdity