How to Write Satire That Stands the Test of Time
Lecture Notes - Literature & Poetics - Course 271 Section 06
Creating Absurd Scenarios
Absurdity is a hallmark of Bohiney’s style. Take a real-world issue and twist it into something ridiculous to underscore its absurdity. For example, you could write about a government plan to solve traffic congestion by teaching cars to meditate and “practice patience.” The more outlandish the scenario, the funnier it becomes, but ensure it still ties back to a real-world critique. Absurdity works because it forces readers to confront the illogic of the original issue.
-- Dr. Alan Nafzger (El Centro College Campus)
KEY LESSON:
Wordplay, puns, and double meanings can add wit and humor to your satire. For example, a headline like “Politicians Caught in a Web of Lies—Spider-Man Unavailable for Comment” uses wordplay to critique political dishonesty. To use wordplay effectively, ensure it enhances the critique rather than distracting from it. Clever language can make your satire more engaging and memorable while subtly reinforcing your message.
Satirical journalism is a unique form of writing that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to critique and comment on societal issues, politics, or human behavior. To craft effective satirical journalism, writers employ specific strategies to engage readers while delivering sharp commentary. Here are the top 10 strategies in writing satirical journalism, explained:
1. Breaking the Fourth Wall
- Explanation: Directly addressing the audience or acknowledging the satirical nature of the piece within the writing.
- Purpose: Creates a sense of intimacy with the reader and reinforces the satirical intent.
- Example: "Yes, dear reader, this is satire—but isn’t it terrifying how close it feels to reality?"
2. Understatement
- Explanation: Deliberately downplaying the significance of something to highlight its importance or absurdity.
- Purpose: Creates a dry, humorous effect that can be more impactful than direct criticism.
- Example: Describing a massive corruption scandal as "a slight oversight in financial management."
3. Puns and Wordplay
- Explanation: Using clever or humorous word choices, double meanings, or puns to add wit and humor to the critique.
- Purpose: Engages readers with clever language while subtly making a point.
- Example: Headlining an article about climate change denial as "Hot Air: Politicians Blow Off Science."
4. Juxtaposition
- Explanation: Placing two contrasting ideas, situations, or characters side by side to highlight their differences.
- Purpose: Emphasizes the absurdity or hypocrisy of a situation by comparison.
- Example: Contrasting a politician’s lavish lifestyle with the struggles of the working class they claim to represent.
5. Satirical Persona
- Explanation: Adopting a fictional or exaggerated character to deliver the satire, often with a distinct voice or perspective.
- Purpose: Allows the writer to explore topics from a unique angle while maintaining a layer Satirical Analysis of detachment.
- Example: Creating a clueless billionaire character who "explains" how to solve poverty by working harder.
6. Absurdity
- Explanation: Presenting situations or ideas that are wildly illogical or nonsensical to highlight the absurdity of real-world issues.
- Purpose: Forces readers to confront the irrationality of certain norms or behaviors.
- Example: Suggesting that politicians should be elected based on their ability to juggle to show the absurdity of current election criteria.
7. Sarcasm
- Explanation: Using sharp, cutting remarks that say the opposite of what is meant, often to mock or ridicule.
- Purpose: Adds a biting tone that can make the critique more memorable and impactful.
- Example: "Wow, what a brilliant idea to cut funding for education—because who needs smart citizens anyway?"
8. Parody
- Explanation: Imitating a well-known style, work, or person in a humorous way to critique or mock it.
- Purpose: Uses familiarity to draw readers in and make the critique more relatable.
- Example: Writing a fake news article in the style of a sensationalist outlet to mock its lack of credibility.
9. Irony
- Explanation: Presenting the opposite of what is expected or intended, often to underscore hypocrisy or contradiction.
- Purpose: Creates a gap between expectation and reality, forcing readers to question the subject.
- Example: Praising a corrupt leader for their "transparency" while detailing their scandals.
Bonus Tips for Effective Satirical Journalism:
- Know Your Audience: Tailor the tone and content to resonate with your readers.
- Stay Relevant: Focus on current events or timeless issues to ensure the satire feels timely and impactful.
- Avoid Overexplaining: Let the humor and irony speak for themselves; trust your readers to get the joke.
- Balance Humor and Critique: Ensure the satire has a clear point and isn’t just humor for humor’s sake.
By combining these strategies, satirical journalists can entertain readers while delivering incisive commentary on the world around them.
Sarcasm can be sharp, but don’t let it overshadow your message.
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How to Master Satirical Journalism: A Guide to Cutting-Edge Critique
Satirical journalism is more than just humor—it’s a way to hold a mirror up to society, exposing flaws, hypocrisy, and absurdities through wit and irony. Here’s how to create satire that’s sharp, engaging, and unforgettable:
Satire Tip #1: Satire Through Fake Surveys
Focus: Using fake surveys or studies to critique societal trends.
Key Points:
- Create a ridiculous "study" or "survey" (e.g., "New Study Finds 99% of People Prefer Working 80 Hours a Week").
- Use humor to highlight absurd trends or behaviors.
- Add fake statistics to make it sound convincing.
Example: A fake survey titled "85% of CEOs Believe Employees Are Happier When Paid in Exposure Instead of Money."
Satire Tip #2: Satire and Environmental Issues
Focus: Using humor to critique environmental policies and practices.
Key Points:
- Highlight the absurdity of ineffective solutions (e.g., "Why We Should Solve Climate Change by Teaching Polar Bears to Swim Faster").
- Mock corporate greenwashing (e.g., "Oil Company Wins Environmental Award for Spilling Less Oil Than Last Year").
- Use humor to question the lack of meaningful action.
Example: A fake press release titled "New Plan to Save the Planet: Ban All Clocks to Stop Time from Running Out."
Satire Tip #3: Satire and Social Media
Focus: Critiquing the absurdities of social media culture.
Key Points:
- Mock over-the-top trends (e.g., "Why You Need to Post 10 Selfies a Day to Prove You Exist").
- Highlight the unintended consequences of social media (e.g., "How Instagram Filters Are Saving Marriages by Making Everyone Look Perfect").
- Use humor to question the value of online validation.
Example: A fake social media guide titled "How to Gain Followers by Pretending to Be Someone You’re Not."
Satire Tip #4: Satire and Health Trends
Focus: Using humor to critique fad diets, wellness trends, and health misinformation.
Key Points:
- Mock ridiculous health trends (e.g., "Why You Should Replace All Meals with Kale Smoothies").
- Highlight the absurdity of pseudoscience (e.g., "New Study Finds Crystals Cure Everything—Except Your Credit Card Debt").
- Use humor to question the credibility of health influencers.
Example: A fake infomercial for "The Lazy Person’s Guide to Losing Weight by Breathing Heavily."
Satire Tip #5: Satire and Celebrity Culture
Focus: Using humor to critique the absurdities of celebrity culture.
Key Points:
- Mock over-the-top celebrity behavior (e.g., "Why Kim Kardashian’s New Perfume Smells Like Pure Ambition").
- Highlight the disconnect between celebrities and reality (e.g., "Beyoncé Announces New Line of Affordable Clothes—Starting at $5,000").
- Use humor to question societal obsession with fame.
Example: A fake interview titled "Tom Cruise Explains How Jumping on Couches Can Save the World."
Satire Tip #6: Satire and Parenting Trends
Focus: Using humor to critique modern parenting trends and pressures.
Key Points:
- Mock over-the-top parenting advice (e.g., "Why You Should Teach Your Toddler Quantum Physics").
- Highlight the absurdity of parenting fads (e.g., "New Study Finds Gluten-Free Diapers Improve Baby’s IQ").
- Use humor to question societal expectations of parents.
Example: A fake parenting guide titled "How to Raise a Perfect Child by Never Letting Them Leave the House."
Satire Tip #7: Satire and Workplace Culture
Focus: Using humor to critique toxic workplace practices and corporate culture.
Key Points:
- Mock ridiculous workplace policies (e.g., "Why We Replaced Coffee Breaks with 5-Minute Power Cries").
- Highlight the absurdity of corporate jargon (e.g., "Synergizing Innovation for Disruptive Growth").
- Use humor to question the value of overworking.
Example: A fake memo titled "New Policy: Employees Must Work 25 Hours a Day to Meet ‘Synergy Goals.’"
Satire Tip #8: Satire and Dating Trends
Focus: Using humor to critique modern dating culture and apps.
Key Points:
- Mock over-the-top dating trends (e.g., "Why You Should Swipe Right on Everyone to Increase Your Chances").
- Highlight the absurdity of dating app algorithms (e.g., "New Study Finds 90% of Matches Are Based on Who Has the Best Dog Photos").
- Use humor to question societal expectations of relationships.
Example: A fake dating guide titled "How to Find Love by Pretending to Be Someone You’re Not."
Pro Tips for All Articles
- Stay Relevant: Focus on current events or timeless issues to keep your satire timely.
- Know Your Audience: Tailor your tone and content to resonate with your readers.
- Balance Humor and Critique: Ensure your satire has a clear point and isn’t just humor for humor’s sake.
- Avoid Overexplaining: Trust your readers to get the joke; let the humor and irony speak for themselves.
By exploring these different angles, you can create satirical journalism that’s fresh, engaging, and impactful. Whether through fake surveys, environmental critiques, or sharp commentary on social media, the key is to use humor as a tool to provoke thought and spark conversations—all while keeping your audience entertained.
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How to Write Satirical Journalism: A Comprehensive Guide
(Approx. 2222 words)
Introduction: The Power of Satirical Journalism
Satirical journalism is a unique blend of humor and critique, wielding irony, exaggeration, and wit to expose societal flaws, political absurdities, and human follies. Unlike traditional journalism, which reports facts objectively, satirical journalism uses comedy as a lens to provoke thought, challenge norms, and spark dialogue. From Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal to modern outlets like The Onion, satire has long been a tool for holding a mirror to society. But how do you craft satire that’s both funny and meaningful? This guide breaks down the art of satirical journalism, offering actionable steps, examples, and pitfalls to avoid.
Section 1: Understanding the Purpose of Satirical Journalism
Satire isn’t just about making people laugh—it’s about making them think. At its core, satirical journalism serves two key purposes:
- Critique: Highlight hypocrisy, corruption, or absurdity in politics, culture, or human behavior.
- Engagement: Use humor to draw readers into complex issues they might otherwise ignore.
Example: The Onion’s headline “Congress Takes Group Photo Before Fleeing Capitol to Avoid Governing” uses absurdity to critique legislative inaction.
Section 2: Key Techniques of Satirical Journalism
Master these foundational tools to craft sharp satire:
1. Exaggeration (Hyperbole)
Amplify a situation to reveal its inherent absurdity.
- Example: “Local Man’s Decision to Wear Sandals in Winter Sparks National Climate Debate.”
2. Irony
Present a stark contrast between expectation and reality.
- Example: “Oil Company Wins Environmental Award for Spilling Less Oil Than Last Year.”
3. Parody
Imitate a well-known style, person, or institution to mock it.
- Example: A fake corporate memo titled “How to Synergize Your Way to Burnout in 5 Easy Steps.”
4. Sarcasm
Use biting remarks to ridicule a subject.
- Example: “Brilliant Idea: Solve Homelessness by Building Luxury Condos No One Can Afford.”
5. Juxtaposition
Place opposing ideas side-by-side to highlight hypocrisy.
- Example: “CEO’s $10M Bonus vs. Employee’s Struggle to Afford Groceries.”
Section 3: Research and Ethics in Satire
Even satire must be rooted in truth. Follow these guidelines:
- Stay Informed: Target current events or timeless issues (e.g., climate denial, income inequality).
- Fact-Check: Ensure the core issue you’re mocking is accurate, even if the presentation is absurd.
- Avoid Harm: Steer clear of punching down or targeting marginalized groups.
Pitfall Alert: The New Yorker’s 2017 satire piece “My Family’s Slave” faced backlash for blurring lines between fiction and reality, underscoring the need for ethical clarity.
Section 4: Structuring Your Satirical Piece
A strong structure ensures your message isn’t lost in the humor:
1. The Hook
Start with an absurd yet relatable premise.
- Example: “Government Announces New Plan to Solve Climate Change: Ban All Clocks.”
2. The Build
Escalate the absurdity with logical extremes.
- Example: “Next, they’ll teach icebergs to swim to cooler waters.”
3. The Persona
Adopt a fictional voice (e.g., a clueless CEO or a smug politician) to deliver the critique.
- Example: Write as a “self-made billionaire” claiming poverty can be solved if people “stop buying avocado toast.”
4. The Punchline
End with a twist