How to Write About Africa Binyavanga Wainaina Author

How to Write About Africa Binyavanga Wainaina

Author Background • Kenyan author, journalist • University of Transkei in South Africa; worked in Cape Town as a freelance food and travel writer • Memoir: One Day I Will Write About This Place (2011) • The founding editor of Kwani? ▫ Literary magazine in East Africa ▫ Source of new writing from Africa

Task • Critically read How to Write About Africa (2003) ▫ Highlight and take notes in the margin a. What do you find shocking? b. What do you connect with? c. Where do you see yourself called out. d. What can you identify with, as far as feeling stereotyped yourself? ▫ Focus on his advice to people wanting to write about Africa

Satire • Used to ridicule or make fun of human vice or weakness, often with the intent of correcting, or changing • Can be funny, but its aim is not to amuse, instead to arouse contempt or disgust

Examples • Parody: a mimicry/mocking of an established concept, idea, or a person ▫ Colbert Report, South Park • Sarcasm: sharp, biting, or witty remark • Understatement: contains an expression of less strength than what would be expected ▫ Monty Python

Questions after reading 1. What is the tone of this selection? Why do you think this? Provide evidence to support your reasoning? 2. What is the real message the author is sending? Explain why you think this. 3. Why would the author use this strategy to get her point across?