WRITING POLITICAL HUMOR

Poli 311.01 (W,IT) Professor Sammy Basu

Assignment Three: Language and Verbal Justice

Provide ten distinct ‘cynical’ or ‘devilish’ definitions (on the model of Ambrose Bierce) that highlight specific aspects of life, for better or worse but justly or deservedly, at Willamette University and/or the City of Salem and/or the State of Oregon. These definitions must be well-developed, i.e. providing a speculative etymology, showing examples of actual usage, etc. Again, what is crucial is that your definitions call attention to behaviors, patterns of thought, inconsistencies, injustices, etc. that you find to be both politically problematic and verbally mediated or euphemistically mitigated.

Something is ‘political’ if it involves power and the selective (mal)distribution of benefits and pains, and ‘verbal’ if the language used to name or describe it enables that power.

• For inspiration, consult the various materials used by Willamette University or the City of Salem in their respective efforts at self-description and self-promotion:
• http://www.willamette.edu/
• http://www.cityofsalem.net/
• http://www.traveloregon.com/
• obviously other websites might also be helpful

• At least four of the ten words defined should be neologisms (i.e. invented words) of your own devising, yet sufficiently close to actual words that the new word is suggestive.
• No more than two of your new nouns, adjectives or verbs should employ proper nouns.
• At least one of these neologisms should be so insightfully funny that it will immediately enter everyday parlance or slang on campus.

• Post your definitions on your class webpage in a visually lively manner consistent with the genre of an illustrated dictionary.
• E.g. http://www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/spreads/all/0/0/9781405341400L_007.jpg
• http://www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/spreads/all/4/0/9781405307604L_200.jpg

Provide a separate 100-word explanatory analysis for each of what you take to be your three best, i.e. insightfully funniest, definitions. In your analysis discuss the relevance of the four theories of humor as appropriate and highlight the literary techniques employed.

Due: 22 Oct, Thursday, online in time for class viewing at 12:50.
Late penalties will be assigned.

http://www.wordle.net/.