Can we really tell about an experience that we haven't had? For example, every time the news is on, a journalist interviews a victim of a tragic event. Why isn't the news channel broadcasting from a civilian who only heard stories about the event? This applies to authors of political writings. If the authors had not actually gone through what they reported, the ethos would not have been equally served. Personal experience is one of the most important factors in establishing relationships between speaker, text, and reader in political writing. Jonathan Swift published "A Modest Proposal" when years of drought led to poor harvests in Ireland, killing thousands. This tragedy was openly ignored by the English. Swift, having grown up in Ireland and then moving to England, felt extreme subjectivity towards the event. In “A Modest Proposal,” he speaks of a radically satirical solution to political disaster. He also talks about the grotesque sights seen in Ireland because of the famine. In part of his conclusion he states: "Therefore I repeat, let no one speak to me of these and similar expedients, until he has at least a glimpse of hope that there will one day be a warm and sincere attempt to put them into practice. »(Swift 400). It's one of Swift's last desperate cries for help. He says that if no one else intends to act, then he shouldn't reject his twisted, but nonetheless workable, solution. Jonathan Swift attracted the attention of many outraged Englishmen. Although the English were disgusted and dismayed, this attention managed to create a bond with the Irish. A writer would not have been so successful if he had not been as discouraged as Swift. Jonathan Swift made a brave move by being so shocking. The civic world...... middle of paper ...... is linked to people watching at home. Viewers want to see and feel the emotion of the story, not just hear about it. It is the same for the reader of a political writing. Civic works are distinguished by their ethical appeal. Without that meaningful personal touch, there is nothing that deems them intriguing and worth reading. In a political writing, we cannot truly account for an experience that we have not lived. Works Cited Lincoln, Abraham. “The Gettysburg Address” 50 essays: a portable anthology. Samuel Cohen. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2004. 203-204. Print.King Jr., Martin Luther. “Letter from Birmingham Jail” 50 essays: a portable anthology. Samuel Cohen. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2004. 172-189. Print.Swift, Jonathan "A Modest Proposal" 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology. Samuel Cohen. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2004. 393-401. Print.