While Wendy Molyneux and Jonathan Swift write about two very contrasting topics, they both use an efficient tactic to get their point across. In Molyneux’s “I Am Sorry that I Didn’t Write a Comedy Piece” the writer uses stereotypes often associated with women to prove that females can, in fact, be funny. Swift, however, writes on quite a more serious issue in “A Modest Proposal” which is children being a burden or their poor parents, using the same strategy to bring this important issue to the surface. Although these two texts differ so greatly from each other, both authors use the same approach to support their opinion on a topic that is important to them. Even though Molyneux may make many laugh while Swift’s piece probably sparks some different reactions, the two writers use emotions of the readers to convince them why their views are important and correct.

The strategy used by the author of “I Am Sorry that I Didn’t Write a Comedy Piece” is that of very strong sarcasm. Wendy Molyneux first points out an online request for women to write and submit more comedy pieces, while then putting herself up to the challenge. She explains a story of everything she gets distracted by instead of attempting to write this “comedy piece.” The writer uses stereotypes that some typically connect to women to prove that she can write a comedy piece while also mocking anyone who doubts that these emotionally unstable, male obsessed, Grey’s Anatomy viewing individuals can also write witty texts. She teases anybody who believes that a female’s only aspiration is to have a willing husband come knocking on her door. It is comical that Molyneux actually uses these stereotypes to write a hilarious piece on what some men think women truly do every day.

Jonathan Swift takes a comparably different approach on his writing “A Modest Proposal.” Swift uses real facts to not only demean the Irish government, but also shame the landlords for making it incredibly hard to support a family and also pay the ridiculous rent costs they charge. The writer tears into the sensitive side of readers by introducing the first proposal of eating the children who cannot be supported by their family, which essentially should be confusing for quite a disturbing solution. He then turns this around to beg those with any better and fair solution to come forth with it. Although the initial resolution is rather concerning, any reader should understand that Jonathan Swift is far from delusional, nonetheless begging for any rational answer to the problem that rises in Ireland. Obviously Swift does not think that the government should take the unfortunate children away from their parents to spare for mating or to cook up and sell for delicious food. Instead of introducing a realistic resolution to this issue, Swift uses sarcasm to plead for a explanation to this rising problem they were experiencing in Ireland at the time.

While both authors are writing on extremely different matters, they each use emotional response to force their readers to truly think, whether that be about some accusations made toward a certain group of individuals or poor families who are unable to support their kids because of unfair treatment by landlords. Both Swift and Molyneux are attempting to convince their readers that what they believe in is right. In Swift’s case, his belief is that someone needs to come forth with a helpful solution to the rising problem in their country. Whereas Wendy Molyneux is attempting to prove to her readers that women, like herself, can write comedy, contrary to some opinions.

Although the writers and the texts differ from each other in just about any way one can think of, each of them have the urge to convince their readers to take a stand. Swift and Molyneux both have extremely thought provoking standpoints on what they each think is right. Each piece of writing uses the readers’ emotions to get their point across to them. Whether that be sadness or humorous they both put forward valid arguments through sarcasm that attempts to encourage their readers to listen to them. 
