Why Choose Humor?

1. Why Choose Humor? To compare and contrast essays on cultural experiences?

2. Roles – Divide into a Group of Four • Reader – Read aloud the reading selection to the group, stopping after each numbered section. • Group Leader – After each section is completed, lead a group discussion using the question. • Recorder – Summarize and record the main talking points of a the group for each question answered. • Time Keeper – Keep the group on task and on time. You may also share in the reading responsiblites.

3. Questions for everyone to answer: • Chunk One: Who is the speaker? What do you know about him? What is the problem? • Chunk Two: Share a time when you have been outside your cultural element and had difficulty communicating. • Chunk Three: Explain how what Barry says often leads to misunderstandings among cultures. Provide examples • Chunk Four: What ideas does Barry convey about Japanese culture or his own? • Chunk Five: How does this conversation lead Barry to his concluding statement?

4. Revisit Defintion • Satire – the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. • Synonyms: Mockery, Ridicule, Scorn • Will be humorous, but it will also advance a critical commentary about a targeted group or person • In the Dave Barry passage, cultural misunderstandings lead to humorous situations, but Barry’s ignorance and lack of understanding also inspire a critique of both cultures

5. After Dave Barry Analysis • What was funny? • Why was it funny? • What is the implied message or critque?

6. Compare Using “Going to Japan” • Complete a SOAPSTone • Subject • Occasion • Audience • Purpose • Speaker • Tone

7. After Reading and Analysis: Compare • Use a graphic organizer to indicate how the Dave Barry and Barbara Kingsolver essays are similar and different. Before you do it though, answer the following questions: • How did the authors relate their experiences? • What universal truths about life and society does each text convey? • What tone did the authors use in relating their experiences? • What kinds of reactions did each author elicit from readers? • Compare and contrast the forms of narration (ex. First person narrative, varying personas) the writers use to convey perspective about a cultural encounter.