How to Write Satire – satire.info

How
to
Write
Satire

A
Conversational
Guide
to
Humor
and
Irony

So,
you
want
to
write
satire?
Excellent
choice!
Satire
is
the
art
of
using

humor,

irony,
and

exaggeration
to
poke
fun
at
the
world’s
flaws
–

all
while
keeping
a
(mostly)
straight
face.
In
this
comprehensive
guide,
we’ll
walk
(and
joke)
you
through
everything
from
satire’s
ancient
origins
to
practical
writing
techniques,
step-by-step
crafting
advice,
common
formats,
ethical
do’s
and
don’ts,
and
even
some
exercises
to
flex
your

funny
bone.
Grab
your
wit
and
let’s
dive
in
–
with
a
grin
and
a
raised
eyebrow.

Understanding
Satire:
Humor
with
a
Purpose

Satire
isn’t
just
about
cracking

jokes;
it’s
humor

with
a
mission.
At
its
core,
satire
uses
laughter
as
a
weapon
(or
gentle
tickle)
to

expose
and
criticize
stupidity
or
vice
in
people,
organizations,
or
society.
Unlike
pure

comedy,
satire
always
has
a
target
or
message
–
it’s

“ha-ha”
with
a
side
of

“aha!”.
Consider
it
the
love
child
of

stand-up

comedy
and
journalism,
delivering
truth
wrapped
in
laughter.

• 
  It’s
  critical:
  Satire
  holds
  up
  a
  funhouse
  mirror
  to
  real
  issues,
  reflecting
  problems
  in
  a
  distorted
  way
  so
  we
  can
  see
  them
  clearly.
  A
  good
  satirist
  is
  part
  comedian,
  part
  social
  critic.
• 
  It’s
  humorous:
  Satire
  leverages
  irony,
  sarcasm,
  and
  absurd
  exaggeration.
  Even
  if
  it’s
  not
  knee-slapping
  
  funny,
  it’s
  witty
  enough
  to
  sugarcoat
  the
  critique.
  (Think
  of
  it
  as
  the
  spoonful
  of
  sugar
  that
  makes
  the
  medicine
  of
  truth
  go
  down.)
• 
  It’s
  insightful:
  The
  goal
  isn’t
  just
  laughs
  –
  it’s
  to
  spark
  reflection.
  Great
  satire
  leaves
  you
  thinking,
  “Whoa,
  that
  silly
  story
  
  really
  made
  a
  point
  about
  [insert
  societal
  issue].”
• 
  It’s
  timely:
  Satire
  often
  tackles
  current
  events
  or
  cultural
  trends.
  Hitting
  a
  moving
  target
  –
  say,
  the
  latest
  
  political
  gaffe
  or
  viral
  craze
  –
  makes
  the
  satire
  punchier
  and
  more
  relevant.

Importantly,

satire
is
not
just
goofing
off.
It’s
not
a
mere
string
of

jokes,
and
it’s
definitely
not
cruelty
masquerading
as
humor.
Satire

isn’t
just
parody
(though
it
often
uses
parody),
and
it

isn’t
a
license
to
bully.
A
satirical
piece
usually
has
a
perspective
(often
a
moral
stance
or
plea
for
sense)
behind
the
punchlines.
If
pure

comedy’s
only
aim
is
to
amuse,
satire’s
aim
is
to

amuse

and
critique.

Example:
One
of


The
Onion’s
classic
headlines
reads,

“World
Death
Rate
Holding
Steady
at
100
Percent.”.
It’s
deadpan,
it’s
absurd
–
and
it
slyly
mocks
how
news
media
report
the
obvious
as
if
it’s
breaking
news.
The
humor
makes
you
chuckle,
but
the
insight
(that
death
is
inevitable
–
shocker!)
makes
you
think
about
media
sensationalism.

In
short,
satire
lives
at
the
intersection
of

funny
and
fiery.
It’s
the
stand-up
comic
who
makes
you
laugh

and
reconsider
your
opinions.
As
the
saying
(often
attributed
to

George
Bernard
Shaw)
goes,

“If
you’re
going
to
tell
people
the
truth,
you’d
better
make
them
laugh
or
they’ll
kill
you.”
Satire
does
exactly
that
–
deliver
truth
disguised
as
jest
–
and
in
the
process,
ideally,
makes
the
truth
a
bit
easier
to
swallow.

A
(Very)
Brief
History
of
Satire

Ever
wonder
who
thought
making
fun
of
powerful
people
was
a
good
idea?
(A
brave
soul,
that’s
who.)

Satire
has
deep
roots
–
it’s
been
around
at
least
since
ancient
Greece,
proving
that
humanity’s
been
rolling
its
eyes
at
authority
for
millennia.

• 
  Ancient
  origins:
  The
  term
  
  satire
  comes
  from
  the
  Latin
  
  satura,
  meaning
  a
  “mixed
  dish”
  or
  medley.
  Early
  Roman
  satire
  was
  indeed
  a
  mixed
  platter
  of
  prose
  and
  poetry
  aimed
  at
  social
  criticism.
  But
  even
  before
  the
  Romans,
  the
  Greeks
  were
  at
  it:
  
  
  Aristophanes,
  a
  playwright
  in
  5th-century
  BCE
  Athens,
  wrote
  comedies
  like
  
  Lysistrata
  that
  used
  outrageous
  scenarios
  (women
  on
  a
  
  sex
  strike
  to
  force
  men
  to
  end
  a
  war)
  to
  
  lampoon
  the
  politics
  of
  the
  day.
  The
  idea
  that
  humor
  can
  confront
  serious
  issues
  was
  already
  born
  –
  women
  denying
  sex
  for
  peace
  is
  absurdly
  
  funny
  
  and
  a
  pointed
  critique
  of
  war-making.

• 
  The
  Roman
  trio
  –
  
  Horace,
  
  Juvenal,
  Menippus:
  Fast
  forward
  to
  ancient
  Rome,
  where
  satire
  fully
  blossomed
  as
  a
  literary
  form.
  
  Horace
  (65–8
  BCE)
  and
  
  
  Juvenal
  (1st–2nd
  c.
  CE)
  wrote
  very
  different
  styles
  of
  satire
  that
  still
  define
  the
  genre
  today.
  
  Horatian
  satire
  (named
  after
  Horace)
  is
  gentle,
  playful,
  and
  urbane
  –
  it
  ridicules
  universal
  human
  follies
  with
  a
  wink
  and
  a
  nudge.
  Think
  of
  it
  as
  a
  friendly
  roast
  that
  says
  “we’re
  all
  fools
  sometimes.”
  
  Juvenalian
  satire
  (from
  
  Juvenal),
  on
  the
  other
  hand,
  is
  anything
  but
  gentle
  –
  it’s
  biting,
  angry,
  and
  not
  afraid
  to
  name
  names.
  
  Juvenal
  went
  for
  the
  jugular,
  attacking
  the
  corrupt
  elites
  of
  Rome
  with
  scathing
  moral
  outrage.
  (If
  Horace
  is
  Jon
  Stewart,
  
  Juvenal
  is
  John
  Oliver
  on
  a
  
  really
  bad
  day.)
  There
  was
  also
  
  Menippean
  satire
  (from
  Menippus
  of
  Greece),
  a
  more
  rhapsodic,
  mixed-form
  satire
  that
  often
  targets
  mindsets
  or
  philosophies
  rather
  than
  specific
  people
  –
  using
  absurd
  characters
  and
  plots
  to
  ridicule
  certain
  attitudes
  or
  ideas.
  These
  three
  styles
  –
  Horatian
  (light-hearted
  chuckles),
  Juvenalian
  (incensed
  rants),
  and
  Menippean
  (fantastical
  spoofs
  of
  ways
  of
  thinking)
  –
  still
  inform
  how
  we
  categorize
  satire
  today.

• 
  Medieval
  mischief
  and
  Renaissance
  wit:
  In
  the
  Middle
  Ages,
  satire
  survived
  in
  fables,
  folklore,
  and
  the
  jabs
  of
  court
  jesters.
  By
  the
  Renaissance,
  it
  regained
  literary
  respectability.
  
  Dante
  and
  
  Chaucer
  included
  satirical
  barbs
  in
  their
  works.
  
  Erasmus
  wrote
  
  In
  Praise
  of
  Folly
  (1509),
  a
  wry
  essay
  that
  satirized
  the
  Church
  by
  sarcastically
  praising
  foolishness.
  The
  idea
  of
  using
  a
  
  fake
  persona
  –
  in
  Erasmus’s
  case,
  a
  personification
  of
  Folly
  –
  to
  speak
  truths
  ironically
  became
  a
  common
  satirical
  device.

• 
  Swift,
  Twain
  &
  the
  rise
  of
  modern
  satire:
  Satire
  really
  hit
  its
  stride
  in
  the
  18th
  and
  19th
  centuries.
  Perhaps
  the
  most
  infamous
  classic
  satirist,
  
  
  Jonathan
  Swift,
  shocked
  the
  world
  with
  
  
  A
  Modest
  Proposal
  (1729).
  Writing
  in
  the
  voice
  of
  a
  calm
  economist,
  Swift
  earnestly
  “proposed”
  that
  the
  impoverished
  Irish
  might
  ease
  their
  woes
  by
  selling
  their
  babies
  as
  food
  to
  rich
  gentlemen
  and
  ladies.
  😳
  This
  horrifying
  suggestion
  was
  of
  course
  
  satirical
  –
  Swift’s
  over-the-top
  
  exaggeration
  was
  meant
  to
  highlight
  and
  condemn
  the
  cruel
  neglect
  of
  Ireland’s
  poor
  by
  the
  English
  government.
  It
  was
  Juvenalian
  satire
  at
  its
  finest:
  outrageous
  and
  no-holds-barred,
  yet
  undeniably
  effective.
  Readers
  were
  aghast
  –
  and
  then,
  if
  they
  understood
  the
  irony,
  deeply
  moved
  by
  the
  real
  message.

By
the
19th
century,
satire
found
a
home
in

American

literature
through
the
pen
of


Mark
Twain.
Twain’s
novels
and
essays
–
from
the
sharply

funny
travelogue

The
Innocents
Abroad
to
the
enduring

Adventures
of
Huckleberry
Finn
–
exposed
hypocrisy
and
absurdity
in
society
with
Horatian
wit.
Twain
often
took
a

“wise
fool”
perspective:
a
naïve
narrator
(like
young
Huck
Finn)
who
innocently
points
out
the
contradictions
of
adult
society.
This
technique
let
Twain
tackle
heavy
topics
(slavery,
greed,
pretentiousness)
with
humor
and
a
light
touch.
He’s
also
famous
for
snappy
satirical
one-liners.
For
example,
Twain
advised,

“Get
your
facts
first,
then
you
can
distort
them
as
much
as
you
please.”
In
one
swoop,
he
both
mocks
dishonest
journalists

and
gives
a
tongue-in-cheek
tip
about
satire
–
know
the
truth,
then
exaggerate
it.

• 
  20th
  century
  to
  today:
  In
  the
  modern
  era,
  satire
  is
  everywhere
  –
  in
  
  print,
  on
  stage,
  on
  air,
  
  online.
  The
  20th
  century
  saw
  satire
  thriving
  in
  essays
  (think
  
  
  Dorothy
  Parker’s
  acid
  wit
  or
  
  George
  
  Orwell’s
  allegorical
  
  
  Animal
  Farm),
  in
  theater
  (e.g.,
  
  
  Oscar
  Wilde’s
  social
  comedies),
  and
  especially
  in
  
  political
  cartoons.
  In
  the
  21st
  century,
  satire
  exploded
  on
  
  television
  and
  the
  internet.
  Shows
  like
  
  Saturday
  Night
  Live
  and
  
  The
  
  Daily
  Show
  use
  sketch
  and
  news-parody
  formats
  to
  instantly
  react
  to
  current
  events.
  
  Stephen
  Colbert,
  for
  instance,
  famously
  adopted
  a
  satirical
  persona
  as
  a
  pompous
  conservative
  pundit
  on
  
  The
  Colbert
  Report
  –
  by
  “playing
  a
  character”
  he
  parodied
  media
  bias
  and
  
  political
  spin,
  all
  while
  (in
  character)
  pretending
  
  not
  to
  be
  joking.
  And
  of
  course,
  digital
  media
  has
  its
  satirical
  kings:
  
  The
  Onion,
  born
  as
  a
  college
  newspaper
  in
  1988,
  set
  the
  standard
  for
  news
  satire
  with
  headlines
  that
  are
  sometimes
  
  so
  on-point
  people
  mistake
  them
  for
  real
  news.
  (Case
  in
  point:
  China’s
  Beijing
  Evening
  News
  reprinted
  an
  Onion
  story
  about
  Congress
  threatening
  to
  move
  out
  of
  D.C.
  without
  realizing
  it
  was
  satire
  –
  oops!)

Through
the
ages,
the
targets
and
styles
of
satire
have
evolved
–
from
ancient
politicians
in
togas
to
modern
celebs
on
Twitter
–
but
the
essence
remains:


satirists
use
humor
to
speak
truth
to
power
(or
to
stupidity).
Understanding
this
lineage
isn’t
just
trivia;
it
reminds
you
that
when
you
write
satire,
you’re
joining
a
grand
tradition
of
noble
smart-alecks.

Techniques
of
Satire:
Your
Toolkit
of
Tricks

Writing
satire
is
like
doing
magic
with
words
–
you
misdirect,
dazzle,
and
sometimes
shock
the
audience
to
make
a
point.
To
craft
effective
satire,
you’ll
want
to
master
a
few
trusty
techniques.
Here
are
the
big
ones
in
the
satirist’s
toolkit
and
how
to
use
them:

Irony
(and
Sarcasm)

Irony
is

the
lifeblood
of
satire.
In
simple
terms,
irony
means
saying
the
opposite
of
what
you
really
mean,
or
highlighting
a
gap
between
expectation
and
reality.
It’s
the
wink
that
says,

“I’m
saying
this,
but
you
and
I
both
know
the
truth
is
the
opposite.”
For
example,
if
a
situation
is
going
disastrously
and
a
character
chirps,
“Well,
that’s
just
great,”
–
that’s
verbal
irony
(sarcasm’s
snarky
cousin).
In
satire,
you
might

praise
what
you
actually
want
to
attack,
or
appear
to
side
with
the
absurd
to
show
how
absurd
it
truly
is.

• 
  Dramatic
  irony:
  Sometimes
  the
  audience
  is
  in
  on
  a
  truth
  that
  the
  characters
  or
  narrator
  pretend
  not
  to
  know.
  
  Jonathan
  Swift’s
  
  
  A
  Modest
  Proposal
  is
  dripping
  with
  dramatic
  irony
  –
  readers
  realize
  the
  proposal
  is
  horrifying,
  but
  the
  narrator
  blandly
  carries
  on
  as
  if
  it’s
  the
  most
  reasonable
  solution,
  thus
  highlighting
  the
  
  real
  horror:
  society’s
  indifference
  to
  the
  suffering
  of
  the
  poor.
• 
  Sarcasm:
  Sarcasm
  is
  a
  more
  blunt
  form
  of
  irony
  –
  often
  a
  cutting,
  mocking
  remark.
  In
  moderation,
  it
  adds
  bite.
  E.g.,
  writing
  
  “Oh,
  brilliant
  idea,
  Congress,
  truly”
  after
  describing
  a
  particularly
  boneheaded
  policy
  can
  drive
  the
  point
  home.
  Just
  be
  careful:
  sarcasm
  is
  like
  hot
  sauce,
  a
  little
  can
  spice
  things
  up,
  but
  too
  much
  overwhelms
  the
  dish.
• 
  Situational
  irony:
  This
  is
  when
  the
  outcome
  is
  the
  opposite
  of
  what
  one
  would
  expect.
  For
  instance,
  a
  fire
  station
  burning
  down
  –
  ironic!
  A
  satirical
  piece
  might
  construct
  an
  ironic
  scenario
  to
  make
  a
  point,
  like
  a
  Nobel
  Peace
  Prize
  winner
  starting
  a
  bar
  fight.
  The
  inherent
  
  “that’s
  not
  supposed
  to
  happen!”
  of
  situational
  irony
  creates
  a
  comedic
  twist
  on
  serious
  matters.

Use
irony
as
your

ally
in
satire.
It
allows
you
to

illustrate
the
gap
between
how
things
are
and
how
they

should
be
in
a
powerful
way.
For
instance,
if
you
want
to
satirize
workplace
bureaucracy,
you
might
write
a
faux
memo
from
HR
that
cheerfully
announces,

“Due
to
our
commitment
to
efficiency,
all
employees
must
now
fill
out
17
forms
to
request
a
single
pen.”
The
irony
(efficiency
causing
inefficiency)
shines
a
spotlight
on
the
dysfunction.

Exaggeration
and
Hyperbole

When
in
doubt,

blow
it
out
of
proportion!
Exaggeration
(or
its
fancy
Greek
name
“hyperbole”)
means
taking
something
to
ridiculous
extremes
to
reveal
its
ridiculousness.
If
reality
is
mildly
absurd,
your
satirical
version
of
it
should
be
absurd
on
steroids.
This
technique
is
everywhere
in
satire
–
from
Swift
suggesting
baby-eating,
to
modern
satirists
joking
that
a
minor
tech
glitch
caused
the

apocalypse.

• 
  Caricature:
  In
  
  political
  cartoons,
  artists
  draw
  huge
  heads
  or
  wild
  features
  –
  that’s
  exaggeration
  in
  visual
  form.
  In
  writing,
  you
  can
  “caricature”
  a
  behavior
  or
  idea.
  Suppose
  you’re
  satirizing
  celebrity
  vanity
  –
  you
  might
  exaggerate
  it
  by
  creating
  a
  character
  who
  hires
  paparazzi
  to
  follow
  him
  to
  the
  fridge
  so
  even
  his
  midnight
  snack
  is
  documented
  by
  the
  press.
  Over-the-top?
  Exactly
  –
  that’s
  the
  point.
• 
  Outrageous
  analogies:
  Compare
  the
  situation
  to
  something
  absurdly
  out
  of
  scale.
  For
  example,
  
  “My
  boss
  treats
  missing
  a
  deadline
  like
  it’s
  the
  end
  of
  the
  universe
  –
  I’m
  pretty
  sure
  he’d
  schedule
  a
  public
  execution
  if
  our
  team’s
  report
  came
  in
  10
  minutes
  late.”
  The
  humor
  in
  the
  overstatement
  highlights
  the
  boss’s
  overreaction.
• 
  Taking
  a
  logical
  premise
  to
  illogical
  extremes:
  Start
  with
  a
  real
  issue
  and
  keep
  asking
  “what’s
  the
  worst
  that
  could
  happen?”
  then
  answer
  it
  in
  a
  ridiculously
  literal
  way.
  Are
  people
  worried
  about
  government
  surveillance?
  Satire
  it
  by
  imagining
  
  dental
  drones
  that
  fly
  into
  our
  bathrooms
  to
  ensure
  we
  floss
  –
  for
  our
  health,
  of
  course.
  Concerned
  about
  consumerism?
  Write
  a
  story
  where
  people
  sell
  their
  own
  memories
  to
  afford
  the
  newest
  smartphone.
  
  By
  amplifying
  the
  absurdity,
  you
  spotlight
  the
  underlying
  issue
  in
  a
  memorable
  way.

Exaggeration
works
because
it
makes
the
implicit
flaws

impossible
to
ignore.
It’s
as
if
you’re
drawing
a
doodle
around
a
problem
with
a
big
red
arrow
saying,
“Look
how
crazy
this
is
when
taken
to
the
extreme!”
If
someone
says,

“You’re
exaggerating,”
as
a
critique,
the
proper
satirist
response
is,

“Exactly.”
😉
The
key
is
to
ensure
your
audience
gets
that
the
exaggeration
is
intentional.
You
usually
do
this
by
pushing
far
enough
that
it’s
clearly
not
meant
to
be
taken
literally
(e.g.,
no
one
actually
thinks
drones
will
enforce
flossing…
we
hope).

Parody
and
Imitation

Parody
is
the
art
of

mimicking
a
style
or
genre
to
poke
fun
at
it.
If
you’ve
ever
seen
a
Weird
Al
Yankovic
music
spoof
or
a
sketch
where
a
comedian
impersonates
a
politician’s
mannerisms,
you
know
the
power
of
parody.
In
writing,
parody
means

taking
the
familiar
format
of
something
–
a
news
article,
a
scientific
report,
a
poem,
a
speech
–
and
filling
it
with
absurd
content
that
highlights
the
original’s
flaws
or
the
absurdity
of
the
subject.

• 
  Style
  imitation:
  Suppose
  you
  want
  to
  satirize
  sensationalist
  journalism.
  You
  might
  write
  a
  parody
  news
  article
  with
  the
  breathless
  tone
  of
  clickbait
  journalism:
  
  “Shock
  Report:
  Local
  Man
  Loses
  Sock,
  Blames
  Government
  –
  You
  Won’t
  Believe
  What
  Happened
  Next!”
  The
  structure
  and
  tone
  mirror
  real
  news,
  but
  the
  content
  (a
  lost
  sock
  treated
  like
  Watergate)
  makes
  it
  
  funny
  and
  pointed.
• 
  Borrowed
  formats:
  Common
  parody
  targets
  include
  
  academic
  papers,
  
  press
  releases,
  
  letters,
  and
  
  ads.
  For
  example,
  The
  Onion
  once
  parodied
  those
  heartfelt
  charity
  sponsorship
  ads
  with
  a
  piece
  like,
  
  “For
  just
  $5,000
  a
  day,
  you
  can
  sponsor
  a
  politician.”
  By
  copying
  the
  earnest
  style
  of
  charity
  appeals
  and
  applying
  it
  to
  greedy
  politicians,
  the
  satire
  comes
  through
  loud
  and
  clear.
• 
  Literary
  or
  pop
  culture
  parody:
  You
  can
  also
  parody
  specific
  works
  or
  genres.
  Writing
  a
  fairy
  tale
  in
  the
  style
  of
  a
  corporate
  memo,
  or
  a
  Shakespearean
  soliloquy
  about
  online
  dating
  –
  the
  fun
  lies
  in
  the
  
  mismatch
  between
  style
  and
  subject.
  If
  the
  audience
  knows
  the
  original
  source
  or
  genre,
  they’ll
  appreciate
  the
  clever
  twists.
  Just
  ensure
  there’s
  a
  purpose
  beyond
  mimicry
  –
  parody
  for
  parody’s
  sake
  can
  be
  
  funny,
  but
  in
  satire,
  you
  usually
  use
  it
  to
  critique
  something
  (e.g.,
  parody
  a
  famous
  speech
  to
  show
  how
  current
  leaders
  fall
  short
  of
  past
  ideals).

Parody
is
powerful
because
it
leverages
something
already
recognizable.
It’s
essentially
an

inside
joke
with
the
audience
–
“You
know
how
this
usually
goes,
right?
Now
watch
me
twist
it.”
When
done
well,
your
readers
will
both
laugh
at
the
imitation
and
realize
the
commentary
you’re
making
on
the
original
or
on
whatever
subject
you’ve
plugged
into
that
style.
Plus,
parody
can
lend
your
satire
a
sense
of

authenticity
–
a
faux
academic
study
format,
if
written
pitch-perfect,
can
almost
sound
legit,
which
only
heightens
the
humor
when
the
content
goes
off
the
rails.

Absurdity
and
the
Totally
Ridiculous

Sometimes,
the
best
way
to
highlight
reality’s
insanity
is
to

embrace
pure
absurdity.
Absurdity
in
satire
means
things
happen
that
are
wildly
illogical,
surreal,
or
just
jaw-droppingly
silly
–
yet
they
often
metaphorically
relate
to
a
truth.
This
overlaps
with
exaggeration,
but
absurdity
can
also
mean
the

humor
comes
from
nonsense
or
bizarreness
that
slyly
parallels
real
issues.

• 
  Absurd
  characters:
  Create
  people
  or
  entities
  that
  are
  one
  step
  beyond
  reality.
  Maybe
  a
  government
  ministry
  run
  entirely
  by
  actual
  clowns
  (literally,
  with
  red
  noses
  and
  big
  shoes)
  to
  represent
  how
  you
  view
  a
  real
  policy
  as
  clownish.
  Or
  a
  CEO
  who
  communicates
  only
  through
  emojis.
  The
  key
  is
  the
  character’s
  absurd
  trait
  is
  symbolic
  of
  a
  real
  trait
  –
  the
  clown
  ministers
  =
  foolish
  leaders;
  the
  emoji
  CEO
  =
  inarticulate
  or
  childish
  communication
  styles
  in
  corporate
  culture.
• 
  Illogical
  worlds:
  Satire
  lets
  you
  imagine
  a
  world
  that
  operates
  by
  twisted
  rules.
  
  Catch-22
  by
  Joseph
  Heller
  is
  a
  classic
  example:
  a
  military
  rule
  that
  you’re
  insane
  if
  you
  willingly
  fly
  dangerous
  missions,
  but
  if
  you
  ask
  not
  to
  fly
  them
  you’re
  sane
  (so
  you
  have
  to
  fly)
  –
  an
  absurd
  bureaucratic
  logic
  that
  satirizes
  real
  military
  bureaucracy.
  You
  can
  create
  a
  fictional
  scenario
  that’s
  patently
  ridiculous
  to
  shine
  a
  light
  on
  a
  system’s
  failings.
  For
  instance,
  satirize
  complex
  tax
  codes
  by
  having
  a
  scene
  where
  two
  accountants
  need
  a
  ouija
  board
  and
  a
  quantum
  physicist
  to
  file
  a
  simple
  tax
  return
  –
  exaggeration,
  yes,
  but
  also
  absurd
  in
  a
  
  Monty
  Python
  way.
• 
  Deadpan
  absurdity:
  One
  delicious
  approach
  is
  to
  present
  absurd
  statements
  in
  a
  
  matter-of-fact,
  deadpan
  tone.
  Imagine
  writing,
  
  “According
  to
  a
  new
  study,
  0%
  of
  people
  enjoy
  being
  stuck
  in
  traffic,
  shocking
  experts
  worldwide.”
  The
  content
  is
  obvious
  or
  silly,
  but
  if
  you
  deliver
  it
  with
  a
  straight
  face
  (like
  a
  real
  report),
  it
  tickles
  the
  reader’s
  sense
  of
  the
  absurd.
  This
  technique
  often
  leaves
  the
  audience
  with
  that
  
  “Did
  they
  really
  just
  say
  that?”
  moment
  –
  perfect
  for
  a
  chuckle
  and
  a
  thought
  about
  whatever
  you’re
  actually
  implying
  (in
  this
  case,
  maybe
  how
  some
  studies
  tell
  us
  what
  we
  already
  know).

Absurdity
in
satire
often
borders
on

the
surreal,
but
it
should
connect
to
reality
by
a
thread
of
logic
or
analogy.
It’s
the
difference
between
a
random
non-sequitur
and
a
pointed
non-sequitur.
Random:
“Then
aliens
turned
everyone
into
sandwiches,
haha!”
(Okay…
weird,
but
what’s
the
point?).
Pointed:
“In
the
end,
the
committee’s
circular
logic
effectively
turned
the
debate
into
a
sandwich
–
lots
of
layers,
no
substance.”
(Weird
image,
but
conveys
a
critique.)
Aim
for
the
latter:
nonsense
that

means
something.

Understatement
and
Euphemism

On
the
flip
side
of
exaggeration
lies

understatement
–
another
satirical
tool.
Sometimes
describing
a
horrendous
or
extreme
situation
as
if
it
were
no
big
deal
can
be
ironically
powerful
(and
darkly

funny).
Similarly,
using
polite
or
technical
euphemisms
to
describe
something
outrageous
can
highlight
just
how
outrageous
it
is.

• 
  Understatement:
  This
  is
  classic
  in
  
  British
  satire
  (the
  Monty
  Python
  sketch
  where
  a
  character
  has
  lost
  all
  his
  limbs
  and
  calls
  it
  “just
  a
  flesh
  wound”
  comes
  to
  mind).
  If
  a
  politician
  tells
  a
  huge
  blatant
  lie,
  a
  satirist
  might
  dryly
  comment,
  “He
  may
  have
  taken
  a
  slight
  liberty
  with
  the
  facts.”
  The
  
  discrepancy
  between
  the
  reality
  and
  the
  mild
  description
  creates
  irony.
  It
  can
  also
  underscore
  how
  people
  try
  to
  downplay
  wrongdoing.
  Understate
  a
  big
  problem
  and
  you’ll
  actually
  draw
  attention
  to
  its
  magnitude.
• 
  Euphemism:
  Imagine
  a
  satirical
  news
  brief
  about
  an
  authoritarian
  regime:
  
  “The
  government
  has
  been
  engaging
  in
  some
  light
  voter
  persuasion”
  (translation:
  voter
  intimidation).
  By
  using
  gentle
  terms
  for
  a
  rough
  action,
  you
  mock
  the
  euphemistic
  language
  officials
  often
  use.
  It’s
  a
  way
  to
  indirectly
  call
  them
  out
  –
  the
  reader
  reads
  between
  the
  lines.
• 
  Formal,
  bland
  tone
  for
  crazy
  content:
  Another
  form
  of
  understatement
  is
  to
  maintain
  a
  very
  formal,
  bureaucratic
  tone
  while
  describing
  absurd
  or
  horrible
  things.
  The
  contrast
  can
  be
  comedic
  gold.
  Example:
  
  “Company
  Memo:
  We
  regret
  to
  inform
  employees
  that
  due
  to
  budget
  cuts,
  your
  lunches
  will
  now
  consist
  of
  literally
  nothing.
  We
  appreciate
  your
  understanding
  and
  continued
  starvation.”
  The
  prim
  corporate
  phrasing
  of
  an
  outrageous
  policy
  (making
  people
  starve)
  satirizes,
  say,
  corporate
  cold-heartedness.

Understatement
works
particularly
well
when
the
real-life
phenomenon
you’re
targeting
involves
people
downplaying
something
important
or
failing
to
react
appropriately.
By
mirroring
that
dynamic,
you
highlight
it.
It’s
subtle
–
the
opposite
of
hyperbole’s
shout,
understatement
is
a

whisper
–
but
that
subtlety
itself
can
be
humorous,
as
if
you’re
conspiratorially
nudging
the
reader:
“This
is
insane,
but
shall
we
pretend
it’s
fine?

wink”

Other
Devices:
Satire
Spice
Mix

There
are
plenty
of
other
literary
spices
you
can
sprinkle:

invective
(sharp,
insult-driven
language)
can
add
heat,
though
use
it
wisely
or
it
just
becomes
a
rant.

Juxtaposition
–
placing
two
contrasting
elements
side
by
side
–
is
great
for
highlighting
absurd
contrasts
(e.g.,
a
millionaire
complaining
about
the
price
of
a
latte
next
to
a
report
on
poverty
rates).

Wordplay
and
puns
can
add
a
lighter
comedic
touch
between
heavier
barbs.

Allegory
(whole
stories
that
parallel
real
events,
like
Orwell’s
animals
on
a
farm
to
represent
a
revolution)
can
deepen
satire
but
require
careful
execution
so
readers
catch
the
parallels.

The
bottom
line:
mix
and
match
techniques
to
suit
your
piece.
One
satire
may
lean
heavily
on
irony
and
understatement
(dry
wit),
another
on
absurd
exaggeration
(silly
shock
value).
As
you
practice,
you’ll
develop
a
sense
of
which
tool
to
pull
out
for
which
job.
And
like
any
DIY
project,
having
a
full
toolbox
at
your
disposal
is
half
the
battle.

Crafting
a
Satirical
Piece
Step-by-Step

Alright,
time
to
roll
up
your
sleeves
and
actually

write
this
thing.
Staring
at
a
blank
page
can
be
intimidating
(as
intimidating
as
a
politician
at
a
truth-telling
contest).
But
fear
not
–
here’s
a
step-by-step
approach
to
go
from
a
vague
idea
to
a
polished
satirical
piece.
We’ll
break
it
down
into
manageable
steps:

Step
1:
Choose
a
Target
(Focus
Your
Premise)

Every
satire
needs
a

target
–
the
issue,
person,
or
behavior
you’re
making
fun
of.
Start
by
picking
something
that

you
care
about
or
find
absurd.
Your
genuine
irritation
or
passion
will
fuel
the
humor.
It
could
be
a
big

social
issue
(like

political
corruption,
climate
denial,
inequality)
or
a
petty
everyday
annoyance
(like
people
who
never
update
their
software
but
complain
their
phone
is
slow).
Nothing
is
too
grand
or
too
small,
as
long
as
there’s
something

worth
ridiculing.

However,
one
golden
rule:

punch
up,
not
down.
Choose
a
target
that
has
some
power,
influence,
or
choice
in
the
matter.
Satire
works
best
when
it
challenges
the
powerful
or
critiques
widely-held
follies,
not
when
it
mocks
the
vulnerable.
For
example,
satirizing
a

government
policy
or
a
billionaire’s
quirks
can
be
great;
satirizing
homeless
people
or
disaster
victims
–
not
so
much
(that
veers
into
cruel,
not
clever).

We’ll
talk
more
about
this
in
the
ethics
section,
but
keep
it
in
mind
from
the
get-go.
Aim
your
comedic
arrows
at
the

right
bullseye.

Once
you
have
a
broad
target,
narrow
it
to
a
specific

premise
or
angle.
“Government
incompetence”
is
too
broad
to
be

funny
on
its
own
–
but
“the
government
program
that
spent
$2
million
to
develop
a
ketchup
bottle”
is
specific

and
ripe
for
satire.
A
good
satirical
premise
is

crystal
clear.
You
(and
eventually
your
reader)
should
be
able
to
answer:

What
exactly
am
I
satirizing?
Is
it
a
particular
event,
a
type
of
person,
a
trend?

Jonathan
Swift
didn’t
just
satirize
British
policy
generally;
his
premise
was
specifically
ridiculing
the

heartless
attitude
of
the
English
wealthy
toward
poor
Irish
families.
From
that
clear
premise
sprang
the
“eat
babies”
idea.

Try
writing
your
premise
in
a
straightforward
sentence
first:
“I
want
to
satirize
__
because
__.”
For
example,

“I
want
to
satirize
corporate
PR
speak
because
it’s
absurd
how
companies
spin
bad
news
as
good.”
That
clarity
will
keep
you
on
track
as
you
add
layers
of
humor.

Step
2:
Find
the
Absurdity
and
Choose
Your
Satirical
Angle

Now
that
you
have
a
target,
ask:

“What’s
inherently
absurd
or
ironic
here?”
Your
job
is
to
amplify
that.
There
are
a
couple
of
ways
to
hone
in
on
your
satirical
angle:

• 
  Identify
  the
  contradictions
  or
  hypocrisy:
  Is
  there
  a
  gap
  between
  what
  this
  person/organization
  says
  and
  what
  they
  do?
  Between
  the
  ideal
  and
  reality?
  For
  instance,
  if
  your
  target
  is
  “reality
  TV,”
  the
  inherent
  irony
  is
  that
  it’s
  often
  scripted
  and
  fake.
  Boom,
  angle:
  treat
  the
  
  fakeness
  of
  “reality”
  with
  extreme
  seriousness,
  or
  flip
  it
  so
  real
  life
  starts
  having
  confession
  cams
  and
  dramatic
  music.
  Find
  the
  lie
  or
  the
  flaw
  and
  shine
  a
  spotlight.
• 
  Ask
  “What
  if…?”
  questions
  to
  push
  the
  idea.
  
  What
  if
  this
  truth
  was
  taken
  to
  the
  extreme?
  (Exaggeration
  angle.)
  
  What
  if
  the
  opposite
  was
  true?
  (Irony
  angle.)
  
  What
  if
  I
  present
  it
  in
  a
  different
  format
  or
  context?
  (Parody
  angle.)
  For
  example:
  
  What
  if
  a
  tech
  company
  literally
  started
  worshipping
  an
  AI
  as
  its
  god?
  (Absurd
  extreme
  to
  satirize
  tech
  obsession.)
  Or
  
  what
  if
  I
  wrote
  about
  my
  messy
  roommate
  as
  if
  he
  were
  a
  historic
  plague?
  (Parody,
  comparing
  crumbs
  to
  locusts,
  etc.)
• 
  Find
  a
  fresh
  perspective:
  Sometimes
  taking
  an
  unexpected
  point
  of
  view
  opens
  up
  
  comedy.
  Could
  you
  tell
  the
  story
  from
  the
  standpoint
  of
  an
  inanimate
  object
  or
  an
  unlikely
  character?
  E.g.,
  satirize
  smartphone
  addiction
  with
  a
  piece
  from
  the
  perspective
  of
  a
  lonely
  neglected
  book
  on
  the
  shelf,
  witnessing
  humans
  worshipping
  their
  phones.
  The
  angle
  becomes
  the
  
  personification
  of
  the
  book
  lamenting
  like
  an
  old
  spurned
  friend.
  This
  indirect
  approach
  can
  be
  both
  
  funny
  and
  poignant.

Brainstorm
freely
here.
Jot
down
as
many
absurd
ideas
or
analogies
as
you
can
related
to
your
topic.
Don’t
worry
if
they’re

too
crazy
–
sometimes
the
craziest
idea,
toned
down
just
a
notch,
becomes
the
perfect
satirical
hook.
Let’s
say
our
target
is

over-the-top
wedding
culture
(people
spending
ludicrous
amounts
on
weddings).
Absurd
brainstorm:
wedding
as
military
arms
race,
bride
and
groom
as
rival
generals?
Or
a
reality
show
“Wedding
Wars”
where
couples
compete
to
one-up
each
other?
Or
an
open
letter
from
the
future
child
(“Thanks
for
blowing
my
college
fund
on
a
chocolate
fountain,
Mom
and
Dad!”).
Notice
how
each
of
those
angles
highlights
the
original
absurdity
(weddings
that
have
lost
all
sense
of
proportion)
through
a
different
lens.

Choose
the
angle
that

makes
you
smirk
the
most
or
that
best
highlights
the
core
issue.
If
you’re
torn,
ask
which
idea
would
be
clearest
to
your
audience.
Remember,
clarity
is
key
–
your
readers
should
quickly
“get”
what
you’re
spoofing
once
they
start
reading.
If
the
connection
is
too
murky,
consider
sharpening
or
simplifying
the
concept.

Step
3:
Choose
a
Format
or
Structure

Satire
can
take
many
forms
–
and
picking
the
right
format
can
significantly
enhance
the
humor.
This
is
where
you
decide

how
you
will
present
your
satirical
idea.
Some
popular
structures
(which
we’ll
delve
into
in
the
next
section)
include:
a
faux
news
article,
a
satirical
op-ed
or
open
letter,
a
fictional
interview,
a
diary
entry,
a
user
manual,
an
advertisement,
a
listicle,
you
name
it.

Why
does
format
matter?
Because

form
can
itself
be
a
joke.
A
serious
format
(like
a
scientific
report
or
a
solemn
speech)
filled
with
ridiculous
content
creates
a
delightful
contrast.
For
example,
if
your
target
is
bureaucratic
inefficiency,
writing
your
piece
as
a
leaked

internal
memo
or

policy
proposal
could
amplify
the
satire
–
you’d
use
dry
office
lingo
to
describe
something
outrageously
dumb,
thereby
mocking
the
bureaucratic
tone

and
the
inefficiency.
Or
if
you’re
skewering
something
like
Instagram
culture,
maybe
write
it
as
a

step-by-step
how-to
guide
for
becoming
an
influencer
(highlighting
shallow
behaviors
through
the
faux
instructions).

Consider
your

audience
too.
Some
formats
are
more
instantly
relatable
to
certain
readers.
A
younger
online
audience
might
love
a
listicle
(“5
Signs
Your
Cat
is
Plotting
World
Domination”
–
a
silly
satirical
concept),
whereas
a
more
literary
audience
might
appreciate
a
short
story
or
essay
format.
Also,
different
formats
lend
themselves
to
different
strengths:
a

fake
news
article
is
great
for
deadpan
delivery
of
absurd
“facts,”
while
a
parody
letter
or
monologue
lets
you
dive
deep
into
a
character’s
voice.

Outline
the
structure
in
broad
strokes.
Will
it
have
sections
(like
a
news
article
with
headline,
body,
maybe
fake
quotes)?
Will
it
be
one
continuous
narrative?
Will
it
be
Q&A
style?
Having
this
blueprint
prevents
your
satire
from
becoming
a
rambling
blob
of

jokes.
It
gives
you

scaffolding
to
build
on.
If
you’re
not
sure,
a
straightforward
approach
is
to
write
it
as
a
satirical
essay
or
column
–
basically
you
speaking
in
ironic
tone
–
which
is
flexible
and
doesn’t
require
strict
formatting.

Once
you
pick
a
format,

stick
to
its
conventions
as
you
write
–
that’s
half
the
humor.
If
it’s
a
love
letter,
start
with
“Dear
so-and-so”
and
maybe
end
with
a
ridiculous
sign-off.
If
it’s
a
scientific
abstract,
include
an
“Introduction”
and
“Conclusion”
with
tongue-in-cheek
academic
jargon.
Committing
to
the
bit
sells
the
satire.

(Need
inspiration?
In
the
next
section,
we’ll
explore
common
satire
formats
like
news,
open
letters,
etc.,
with
examples.
Feel
free
to
skip
ahead,
then
come
back
here
to
continue
your
steps.)

Step
4:
Write
the
First
Draft
–
Be
Bold,
Then
Refine

Time
to
put
pen
to
paper
(or
fingers
to
keyboard)
and

let
it
rip.
Your
first
draft
is
the
place
to

go
big
with
your
humor
ideas.
Don’t
self-censor
too
much
at
this
stage
–
you’ve
done
your
planning,
now
let
the
satire
flow.
A
few
pointers
as
you
draft:

• 
  Adopt
  the
  right
  tone/voice:
  If
  you’re
  writing
  in
  a
  persona
  (e.g.,
  a
  clueless
  official,
  a
  concerned
  citizen,
  a
  talking
  dog),
  fully
  inhabit
  that
  character’s
  voice.
  If
  it’s
  a
  generic
  narrator,
  decide
  if
  they’re
  naive,
  sarcastic,
  outraged,
  or
  eerily
  calm
  about
  absurd
  things.
  Consistency
  of
  voice
  makes
  the
  piece
  feel
  cohesive.
• 
  Lead
  strong:
  The
  opening
  lines
  should
  signal
  the
  satirical
  nature
  and
  grab
  attention.
  Often,
  stating
  the
  absurd
  premise
  right
  at
  the
  start
  works
  wonders.
  Example:
  
  “The
  Department
  of
  Agriculture
  announced
  today
  that
  the
  nation’s
  cows
  are
  now
  required
  to
  produce
  10%
  lactose-free
  milk
  by
  2025,
  to
  accommodate
  lactose-intolerant
  Americans.”
  That’s
  a
  goofy
  premise
  delivered
  seriously
  –
  a
  hook,
  in
  other
  words.
  It
  sets
  up
  the
  reader
  for
  the
  style
  of
  
  jokes
  to
  come.
• 
  Commit
  to
  the
  bit:
  Satire
  often
  works
  best
  when
  it
  
  doesn’t
  blink.
  Write
  with
  conviction
  as
  if
  everything
  you
  say
  is
  logical
  or
  factual,
  even
  when
  it’s
  ridiculous.
  The
  humor
  comes
  from
  the
  contrast
  between
  the
  
  serious
  delivery
  and
  the
  insane
  content.
  A
  common
  mistake
  is
  winking
  too
  hard
  at
  the
  audience,
  e.g.,
  breaking
  character
  to
  say
  “just
  kidding.”
  Trust
  your
  readers
  to
  get
  it
  (with
  a
  clear
  premise
  and
  tone,
  they
  will).
• 
  Sprinkle
  a
  variety
  of
  humor:
  Use
  the
  toolkit
  –
  irony,
  exaggeration,
  etc.
  –
  but
  don’t
  use
  everything
  at
  once,
  and
  don’t
  beat
  one
  joke
  to
  death.
  Maybe
  your
  piece
  mainly
  uses
  exaggeration,
  but
  you
  toss
  in
  a
  clever
  ironic
  twist
  or
  a
  parody
  reference
  here
  and
  there
  for
  flavor.
  Running
  gags
  (a
  repeated
  joke
  or
  callback)
  can
  also
  be
  fun,
  but
  ensure
  they
  escalate
  or
  vary
  so
  it
  stays
  
  funny.
  For
  example,
  if
  in
  a
  satirical
  article
  you
  refer
  to
  a
  hapless
  politician
  as
  having
  the
  brainpower
  of
  a
  toaster
  in
  paragraph
  one,
  maybe
  in
  paragraph
  three
  the
  toaster
  is
  actually
  making
  better
  decisions
  in
  a
  side-by-side
  comparison.
  In
  short,
  mix
  up
  your
  comedic
  attacks:
  a
  surprise
  analogy
  here,
  a
  deadpan
  absurd
  statement
  there,
  maybe
  a
  pun
  or
  witty
  wordplay
  when
  appropriate.
• 
  Keep
  it
  tight
  (especially
  with
  humor):
  Brevity
  is
  the
  soul
  of
  wit!
  In
  a
  first
  draft
  you
  might
  write
  long,
  which
  is
  fine,
  but
  be
  prepared
  to
  trim.
  
  Jokes
  often
  land
  better
  when
  they’re
  not
  belabored.
  For
  instance,
  instead
  of
  rambling
  on
  to
  explain
  why
  something
  is
  
  funny,
  let
  the
  scenario
  or
  dialog
  itself
  carry
  the
  humor
  and
  then
  cut
  to
  the
  next
  point.
  Trust
  the
  audience
  to
  fill
  in
  one
  plus
  one
  =
  haha.

Don’t
worry
if
at
this
stage
some
lines
feel
more
silly
than
satirical
or
vice
versa.
The
first
draft
might
be
rough
or
too
over-the-top
–
that’s
okay.
It’s
easier
to
tone
down
excess
than
to
add
in
spark
later.
Get
your
ideas
on
the
page.
You
might
end
up
with
a
piece
that
has
a
hilarious
middle
but
a
weak
ending,
or
a
great
concept
but
some
flat

jokes
–
all
fixable
in
the
next
step.

Step
5:
Revise
and
Polish
(Sharpen
that
Satire)

Now
for
the
unsexy
(but
crucial)
part:
editing.
Great
satire
often
comes
out
of

great
editing
–
refining
the
balance
between
humor
and
message.
Step
away
from
your
draft
for
a
bit
if
you
can,
then
come
back
with
fresh
eyes
and
maybe
a
red
pen
(or
the
delete
key).

What
to
look
for
while
revising:

• 
  Clarity
  check:
  Will
  a
  reader
  not
  inside
  your
  head
  understand
  the
  target
  and
  premise?
  Make
  sure
  the
  setup
  in
  the
  beginning
  makes
  it
  clear
  what
  you’re
  satirizing.
  You
  might
  need
  to
  tweak
  the
  introduction
  or
  add
  a
  hint
  if
  it’s
  too
  oblique.
  If
  you
  gave
  it
  to
  a
  friend,
  could
  they
  “get
  it”
  by
  the
  first
  few
  sentences
  or
  headline?
  If
  not,
  clarify
  your
  premise.
• 
  Consistency
  of
  tone:
  Did
  you
  accidentally
  drop
  out
  of
  character
  or
  slip
  from
  satirical
  into
  just
  factual
  or
  preachy?
  Ensure
  the
  satirical
  voice
  stays
  consistent.
  If
  you
  find
  a
  paragraph
  that
  reads
  like
  a
  straight
  essay
  or,
  alternatively,
  one
  that
  feels
  like
  a
  different
  style
  of
  humor,
  smooth
  it
  out
  to
  match
  the
  rest.
  Consistency
  makes
  the
  piece
  feel
  professionally
  done
  rather
  than
  patchy.
• 
  Timing
  and
  flow
  of
  
  jokes:
  Check
  the
  pacing.
  Does
  the
  piece
  build
  up
  to
  a
  good
  climax
  or
  final
  punchline?
  Many
  satirical
  pieces
  save
  the
  sharpest
  zinger
  for
  the
  end,
  leaving
  the
  reader
  with
  a
  final
  “Ouch!”
  (in
  a
  good
  way).
  Make
  sure
  the
  best
  stuff
  isn’t
  buried
  in
  the
  middle
  and
  the
  ending
  isn’t
  a
  fizzle.
  You
  might
  rearrange
  sentences
  or
  paragraphs
  for
  better
  setup-payoff
  structure.
  Also,
  remove
  any
  joke
  that
  doesn’t
  serve
  a
  purpose.
  Sometimes
  we
  write
  a
  
  funny
  line
  that
  we
  love,
  but
  if
  it
  sidetracks
  from
  the
  main
  point
  or
  confuses
  the
  tone,
  it
  may
  need
  to
  go.
  
  Kill
  your
  darlings,
  as
  they
  say
  –
  or
  at
  least
  maim
  them
  until
  they
  behave.
• 
  Is
  it
  actually
  
  funny?
  This
  sounds
  obvious,
  but
  when
  you’ve
  re-read
  your
  piece
  10
  times,
  you
  might
  become
  numb
  to
  the
  humor.
  Try
  reading
  it
  aloud.
  The
  parts
  where
  you
  naturally
  smile
  or
  giggle
  are
  keepers.
  The
  parts
  where
  even
  you
  are
  bored
  –
  those
  need
  punching
  up
  or
  cutting.
  If
  you
  can,
  have
  someone
  else
  read
  it
  and
  see
  where
  they
  laugh
  or
  look
  puzzled.
  (Choose
  an
  honest
  friend,
  not
  just
  your
  mom
  who
  says
  everything
  you
  do
  is
  brilliant.)
• 
  Balance
  critique
  vs.
  humor:
  Ensure
  your
  criticism
  isn’t
  completely
  lost
  in
  the
  
  jokes,
  nor
  the
  humor
  drowned
  out
  by
  soapboxing.
  Satire
  is
  a
  balancing
  act.
  If
  upon
  rereading,
  the
  piece
  feels
  too
  mean
  or
  angry
  without
  enough
  wit,
  lighten
  it
  up
  with
  a
  bit
  more
  silliness
  or
  charm
  in
  the
  narrator’s
  voice.
  Conversely,
  if
  it’s
  giggle-worthy
  but
  not
  actually
  making
  any
  point,
  you
  might
  sharpen
  a
  line
  or
  two
  to
  drive
  the
  message
  home
  more.
  The
  best
  satire
  often
  lets
  the
  absurd
  scenario
  imply
  the
  criticism,
  without
  lecturing
  –
  but
  a
  slight
  nudge
  or
  hint
  at
  the
  real
  point,
  especially
  towards
  the
  end,
  can
  help
  land
  the
  message.
  For
  instance,
  ending
  Stephen
  Colbert-style
  with,
  
  “…and
  that’s
  how
  we’ll
  solve
  everything,
  because
  what
  could
  possibly
  go
  wrong?”
  –
  a
  final
  irony
  that
  winks
  at
  the
  reader
  to
  not
  take
  it
  at
  face
  value.

Proofread
for
the
usual
suspects:
grammar,
spelling,
and
in
this
genre
especially,

word
choice.
Using
a
hilariously
wrong
word
or
a
malapropism
can
be
a
joke,
but
make
sure
it’s
intentional.
Often,
precise
wording
makes
the
difference
in
a
joke’s
setup
or
punchline.
Also
confirm
any
factual
elements
you
included
(satire
often
includes
real
references
or
names):
nothing
kills
a
great
gag
like
discovering
you
got
a
basic
fact
wrong
(unless
your
narrator
is
intentionally
getting
it
wrong
as
part
of
the
satire
–
that
can
be
a
joke
too,
but
it
should
be
on
purpose).

Lastly,
come
up
with
a
good

title
or
headline.
If
you
haven’t
already,
craft
one
that
teases
the
premise.
In
satirical
news,
the
headline

is
half
the
joke
(“Study
Reveals:
Babies
Are
Stupid”
still
makes
us
laugh).
In
an
essay
format,
a
witty
title
helps
grab
attention
(e.g.,
“An
Open
Letter
to
My
Roomba,
Regarding
Its
Plot
to
Kill
Me”).
Make
sure
it
matches
the
tone
of
the
piece
–
absurd
title
for
an
absurd
piece,
or
a
dry,
blandly
serious
title
for
a
piece
with
deadpan
delivery
(sometimes
funnier
that
way).

Congratulations
–
you’ve
now
got
a
satirical
piece
ready
to
hit
the
presses
(or
at
least
your
blog/social
media/Microsoft
Word
file).
But
before
you
publish
or
share
it
widely,
let’s
arm
you
with
knowledge
of
different
formats
you
can
experiment
with,
and
a
heads-up
on
ethics
and
pitfalls.
After
all,
with
great
power
(to
mock)
comes
great
responsibility
(to
not
be
a
jerk).

Common
Satire
Formats
and
Structures

Satire
isn’t
one-size-fits-all.
The
format
you
choose
is
part
of
the
joke.
Let’s
explore
some

popular
structures
for
satirical
writing,
with
examples
of
how
each
works.
You
can
use
these
as
inspiration
or
templates
for
your
own
pieces:

News
Parody
(Fake
News
Articles)

One
of
the
most
prevalent
forms
of
written
satire
today
is
the

faux
news
article.
Pioneered
by
outlets
like

The
Onion,
this
format
mimics
real
journalism,
complete
with
attention-grabbing
headlines,
a
serious
tone,
and
sometimes
even
fake
quotes
and
statistics
–
all
to
deliver
completely
ridiculous
content.

How
it
works:
You
write
your
piece
as
if
it’s
a
straight
news
report
or
press
release
about
an
absurd
situation.
The
humor
often
comes
from
the
contrast
between
the
formal,
factual
style
and
the
ludicrous
subject
matter.
For
example,
a
classic
Onion-style
headline
might
be

“Drugs
Win
Drug
War”
or

“NASA
Launches
David
Bowie
into
Space
to
Make
Contact
with
Starman”
–
presented
with
the
same
sobriety
as
if
reporting
on
a
local
city
council
meeting.
The
body
of
the
article
would
continue
in
an
AP-newswire
tone,
perhaps
quoting
a
fake
official
or
expert
to
comment
on
the
nonsense.

Why
it
works:
People
are
used
to
seeing
outrageous
real
news,
so
at
a
glance
a
parody
news
piece
has

just
enough
credibility
to
rope
them
in,
then
the
specifics
reveal
the
satire.
It
also
allows
you
to
slip
in
multiple

jokes:
the
headline
is
one,
the
fake
quotes
(often
the
“voice
of
reason”
stating
the
obvious)
are
another,
and
there’s
room
for
extra
gags
(charts,
bylines,
etc.).
News
parody
is
great
for
topics
like
politics,
science,
or
any
current
event,
because
you
basically
create
an
alternate
reality
news
item
to
highlight
how

in
reality,
things
are
not
making
sense.

Tips:
Make
sure
to

nail
the
tone
of
real
news.
Use
short
paragraphs,
objective-sounding
language,
and
maybe
a
punny
kicker
at
the
end
if
you
want.
The
more
earnestly
you
sell
it
as
news,
the
funnier
the
ridiculous
premise
becomes.
Also,
brevity
is
your
friend
here;
many
Onion
articles
are
only
a
few
paragraphs
long
–
they
come
in,
drop
the
bombshell
of
satire,
and
exit
before
the
joke
wears
thin.
If
your
premise
is
very
clear,
sometimes
just
a
headline
and
a
couple
of
lines
is
enough
(think
of
those
shareable
satirical
headlines
on
Twitter
or
Reddit).

Satirical
Open
Letters
and
Essays

Another
versatile
format
is
the

open
letter
or
satirical
essay/monologue.
This
is
essentially
a
first-person
address
to
a
person
or
entity,
or
a
personal
essay,
but
with
an
ironic
or
exaggerated
stance.
It’s
a
bit
more
free-form
than
a
news
article
and
lets
you
inject
a
lot
of
voice
and
persona.

Open
letters:
Here
you
write
a
letter
to
someone
who
will
never
read
it
–
often
a
public
figure,
group,
or
even
a
concept.
The
format
starts
with
“Dear
X,”
and
often
closes
with
a
witty
sign-off.
For
example,

“Dear
Millennials,
Please
Stop
Killing
Everything.
Sincerely,
A
Confused
Baby
Boomer.”
In
the
letter,
you’d
humorously
embody
the
voice
of
the
writer
(the
baby
boomer),
perhaps
satirizing
their
misunderstandings
and
complaints,
which
in
turn
highlights
the
silly
“millennials
are
killing
X
industry”
media
trend.
Open
letters
can
also
be
from
the
perspective
of
an
object
or
institution
(e.g.,
“Dear
Humans,
Signed,
Climate
Change”
with
climate
change
personified,
giving
humans
a
piece
of
its
mind).
The
direct
address
format
can
make
the
satire
sharper
–
it
feels
like
a
confrontation
or
heartfelt
plea,
just
with
absurd
logic.

Satirical
essays/monologues:
These
read
like
a
column
or
personal
essay.
It
might
be
you
as
yourself,
or
as
a
character,
talking
directly
to
the
reader
about
the
topic
in
a
humorous
way.
Think
of
pieces
in
The
New
Yorker’s
“Shouts
&
Murmurs”
or
McSweeney’s
Internet
Tendency.
For
example,
an
essay
titled

“I’m
Sorry
I
Didn’t
Respond
to
Your
Email,
My
Owl
Died”
takes
the
form
of
someone
giving
an
absurd
excuse
(satirizing
both
our
tendency
to
offer
dramatic
excuses
and
how
overwhelmed
we
are
by
communication).
There’s
no
rigid
structure
beyond
having
a
clear
beginning,
middle,
end.
It’s
like
telling
a
story
or
argument
with
a
satirical
angle.

Why
it
works:
This
format
allows
a
deeper
dive
into
a
character’s
psyche
or
a
more
narrative
approach.
You’re
not
constrained
by
the
clip
of
news
style.
You
can
be
very
sarcastic
or
flowery
or
over-the-top
in

voice.
It’s
ideal
for
topics
where
the
humor
comes
from

the
way
someone
thinks
or
talks
about
something.
For
instance,
writing
from
the
viewpoint
of
a
conspiracy
theorist
in
an
essay
lets
you
string
together
illogical
“logical”
arguments
to
expose
how
crazy
the
conspiracy
sounds.
The
open
letter
format,
meanwhile,
creates
a
built-in

target
of
the
satire
(the
addressee)
and
often
a
clear
speaker,
making
it
easy
to
frame
your

jokes.

Tips:
Fully
commit
to
the
persona
or
voice.
If
you’re
a
frustrated
customer
writing
an
open
letter
to
a
ridiculous
product
(e.g.,
“Dear
Automatic
Soap
Dispenser
That
Never
Works,”),
let
your
faux
frustration
build
comically.
If
you’re
doing
a
monologue
as,
say,
a
humble-bragging
tech
CEO
explaining
why
they
need
to
colonize
Mars,
maintain
the
obliviously
self-congratulatory
tone.
Structure
still
matters:
even
a
humorous
rant
should
have
a
logical
flow
of
ideas
–
maybe
escalating
in
craziness
or
culminating
in
a
final
epiphany
(or
punchline).
Because
these
formats
are
looser,
it’s
easy
to
ramble,
so
outline
your
key
beats:
e.g.,
in
a
letter
complaining
to
airlines,
maybe
paragraph
1
politely
introduces
the
gripe,
para
2
lists
increasingly
absurd
complaints,
para
3
delivers
a
dramatic
ultimatum
or
twist.

Fake
Interviews
and
Dialogues

This
format
presents
your
satire
as
a

Q&A
or
conversation,
which
can
be
a
fun
way
to
juxtapose
questions
and
answers
for
comedic
effect.
It’s
like
writing
a
short
play
or
skit
in
text
form,
or
a
mock
interview
transcript.

How
it
works:
You
lay
it
out
with
character
labels
or
Q/A
labels.
For
instance:

Interviewer:
“So,
Big
Bad
Wolf,
you
claim
you
were
framed
by
the
three
little
pigs?”

Wolf:
“Absolutely.
It’s
all
fake
news.
I
was
merely
trying
to
check
on
their
welfare…”

In
that
made-up
example,
you
can
see
how
a
familiar
story
(Three
Little
Pigs)
can
be
satirized
by
interview
format
–
maybe
to
parallel
how
certain
public
figures
deny
obvious
guilt
(“I
was
just
blowing
their
houses
down
to
ensure
they
were
up
to
code,
I
swear!”).

Or
you
might
do
a

dialogue
between
two
characters
with
opposing
views,
exaggerating
both
to
highlight
a
point.
Imagine
a
transcript
of
a
meeting
between
“Common
Sense”
and
“Political
Correctness,”
for
instance,
each
speaking
in
character
about
some
issue
–
could
be
a
way
to
satirize
the
debate
around
free
speech,
etc.,
by
literally
personifying
those
concepts.

Why
it
works:
Interviews
allow
for

quick
back-and-forth
banter,
which
can
pack
in

jokes,
misunderstandings,
and
contrasts
in
viewpoint.
The
Q&A
format
is
also
good
for
delivering
exposition
in
a
natural
way
(“As
the
Wolf,
can
you
walk
us
through
what
happened
that
day?”
leads
the
Wolf
to
a
narrative
answer).
It
also
inherently
sets
up
a
scenario
–
an
interviewer
and
interviewee
implies
something
noteworthy
is
being
discussed,
often
something
gone
wrong
(a
scandal,
a
strange
achievement,
etc.).
That
scenario
itself
can
be
the
satirical
premise.

Tips:

Keep
each
turn
(question
or
answer)
punchy.
You
don’t
want
either
party
launching
into
page-long
monologues,
or
you
might
as
well
write
an
essay.
Use
the
interplay:
perhaps
the
interviewer
asks
reasonable
questions
and
the
interviewee
gives
ridiculously
oblivious
answers
(satirizing
someone
in
real
life
who
does
the
same).
Or
maybe
the
interviewer
is
fawning
and
the
interviewee
is
grotesquely
self-absorbed
–
depends
on
your
target.
If
doing
a
pure
dialogue
(no
interviewer),
make
sure
each
character
has
a
distinct
voice
or
stance
so
the
reader
can
follow
who’s
who
and
what
they
represent.
For
example,
a
Socratic
dialogue
spoof
with
a
“Professor”
and
a
“Student”
could

lampoon
academic
jargon:
Student
asks
a
simple
question,
Professor
responds
with
convoluted
nonsense,
back
and
forth,
highlighting
the
absurdity
of
academic
gatekeeping.

Pacing
is
vital.
A
common
technique
is
the

“straight
man
and

funny
man”
dynamic
–
one
character
is
sensible
(or
at
least
asks
what
the
audience
is
thinking)
and
the
other
is
the
comedic
figure
delivering
wild
ideas.
This
contrast
grounds
the
piece
and
gives
you
an
opportunity
to
pre-empt
the
reader’s
reactions
within
the
text.
When
the
interviewer
says,
“That
sounds
highly
unlikely,”
and
the
interviewee
doubles
down
with
an
even
crazier
justification,
the
reader
gets
to
laugh
and
nod
along
with
the
interviewer.

(Plus:
Other
Formats
to
Explore)

The
above
are
just
a
few
popular
formats.
Satire
is
limited
only
by
your
imagination.
You
could
write
a

pseudo-script
or
screenplay
format,
a
series
of


social
media
posts
or
fake
tweets,
a

product
review
from
hell,
a


FAQ
section
answering
absurd
questions,
or
even
a

recipe
(e.g.,
a
“recipe
for
a

political
campaign”
listing
money,
scandals,
baby-kissing,
etc.,
as
ingredients).
Feel
free
to
experiment.
Sometimes
the
format

itself
becomes
a
layer
of
the
joke
(like
a
recent
satirical
piece
that
was
formatted
as
an
IKEA
instruction
manual
for
building
a
government
–
diagrams
and
all!).

The
key
is
that
whatever
format
you
choose,
use
its
conventions
to
maximize
humor
and
clarity.
A
good
satirical
format
choice
can
make
a
mediocre
joke
brilliant
or,
if
poorly
chosen,
can
make
a
great
idea
fall
flat.
So,
when
brainstorming
formats,
ask:

Will
this
presentation
make
the
satire
sharper
and
more
entertaining?
If
yes,
go
for
it.
If
it’s
just
a
gimmick
that
complicates
things,
consider
a
simpler
route.

Next
up,
let’s
talk
about
something
crucial:
how
to
be

funny
and
provocative

without
crossing
lines
that
could
land
you
in
hot
water.
Yes,
it’s
time
for
the

ethics
and
legal
side
of
satire
–
don’t
worry,
we’ll
keep
it
light.

Ethical
and
Legal
Considerations
in
Satire

Satire
can
be
edgy.
By
its
nature,
it
challenges
and
often
offends
(at
least
the
target
of
the
satire,
if
not
the
audience).
But
there’s
a

fine
line
between
punching
up
in
a
fun,
constructive
way
and
punching
down
or
defaming,
which
can
be
harmful
or
even
get
you
sued.
As
a
satirical
writer,
you
need
to
be
aware
of
these
boundaries.
Here’s
how
to
navigate
the
ethics
and
legalities:

Punching
Up
vs.
Punching
Down

We
touched
on
this
earlier:

“Punching
up”
means
satirizing
people
or
institutions
that
have
power
(politicians,
corporations,
wealthy
elites,
dominant
social
norms).

“Punching
down”
means
making
fun
of
those
who
are
vulnerable
or
marginalized
(the
poor,
victims,
minorities,
etc.)
in
a
way
that
further
harms
or
belittles
them.

Why
avoid
punching
down?
Because
it’s
generally
not
satire
–
it’s
bullying
or
cruelty.
And
importantly,
it’s
usually

not

funny.
As
cartoonist
Garry
Trudeau
(creator
of

Doonesbury)
pointed
out
when
discussing
controversial
caricatures,

“Ridiculing
the
non-privileged
is
almost
never

funny
–
it’s
just
mean.”.
The
best
satire
often
comforts
the
afflicted
and
afflicts
the
comfortable,
not
the
other
way
around.

Ask
yourself:
Who
is
the
butt
of
the
joke?
If
it’s
a
corrupt
CEO,
a
hypocritical
celebrity,
or
a
societal
ill
–
you’re
likely
on
solid
(and
humorous)
ground.
If
it’s
a
tragedy
someone
suffered
or
an
entire
group’s
identity,
step
back.
Can
you
redirect
the
satire
toward
those
responsible
for
the
problem
instead?
For
example,
instead
of
mocking
people
who
fell
for
a
scam,
mock
the
scammers
or
the
system
that
enabled
the
scam.

This
doesn’t
mean
you
can’t
satirize

sensitive
topics.
You
can,
but
the
angle
matters.
Satirizing

racism,
for
example,
is
delicate
–
you
wouldn’t
want
to
inadvertently
repeat
racist
tropes.
A
savvy
satirist
might
create
an
exaggerated
scenario
that
makes
racism
look
as
absurd
as
it
truly
is
(punching
up
at
racists).
Think
of

Mel
Brooks
who
satirized
Nazis
by
making
them
buffoonish
in

The
Producers.
He
wasn’t
punching
down
at
victims
of
Nazism;
he
was
mocking
the
ridiculous
ideology
of
the
Nazis
themselves.

Avoid
cheap
shots:

Jokes
about
someone’s
immutable
characteristics
(race,
disability,
appearance,
etc.)
that
aren’t
tied
to
any
broader
point
usually
feel
like
low
blows.
If
you
find
your
draft
has
a
joke
like
that,
consider
replacing
or
removing
it.
It’s
often
a
sign
of
a
lazy
joke
anyway.
Satire
should
aim
higher.

Know
the
Legal
Lines:
Parody,
Libel,
and
“Just
Kidding”
Doesn’t
Always
Cut
It

Legally
speaking,
satire
and
parody
enjoy
a
lot
of
protection
under
free
speech
laws
in
many
countries
–
but
not
absolute
protection.
A
few
things
to
keep
in
mind:

• 
  Defamation
  (Libel/Slander):
  If
  you
  state
  a
  false
  fact
  about
  a
  real
  person
  that
  harms
  their
  reputation,
  they
  could
  claim
  defamation.
  Now,
  satire
  usually
  signals
  it’s
  not
  stating
  actual
  facts
  (no
  one
  really
  thought
  
  Jonathan
  Swift
  was
  actually
  eating
  babies).
  But
  sometimes,
  especially
  in
  subtle
  satire,
  people
  can
  get
  confused.
  To
  avoid
  legal
  trouble,
  make
  sure
  that
  no
  reasonable
  reader
  would
  believe
  the
  false
  statements
  to
  be
  actual
  facts.
  The
  more
  absurd
  or
  clearly
  fictional
  your
  piece,
  the
  safer
  you
  are.
  If
  you
  write
  “CEO
  X
  secretly
  kicks
  puppies
  for
  fun”
  as
  a
  satirical
  
  hyperbole,
  you
  might
  be
  fine
  if
  it’s
  obviously
  a
  joke
  –
  but
  if
  you
  present
  it
  too
  straight,
  that
  CEO
  might
  not
  laugh
  along.
  In
  the
  U.S.,
  public
  figures
  have
  to
  prove
  “actual
  malice”
  (knowledge
  of
  falsity
  or
  reckless
  disregard
  for
  truth)
  to
  win
  a
  libel
  case
  –
  satire
  isn’t
  actual
  malice
  if
  it’s
  recognized
  as
  satire.
  There
  was
  a
  famous
  case
  
  Hustler
  Magazine
  v.
  Falwell
  (1988)
  where
  Hustler
  ran
  a
  grotesque
  parody
  ad
  about
  Reverend
  Jerry
  Falwell;
  he
  sued,
  but
  the
  U.S.
  Supreme
  Court
  protected
  the
  parody
  as
  free
  speech,
  noting
  no
  reasonable
  person
  would
  take
  it
  as
  fact.
  So
  outrageousness
  can
  be
  your
  friend
  in
  court
  –
  who’d
  think
  a
  reverend
  really
  had
  an
  incestuous
  drunken
  encounter
  in
  an
  outhouse
  (the
  content
  of
  that
  parody
  ad)?
  Only
  someone
  out
  of
  touch
  with
  reality.
• 
  Disclaimers
  and
  context:
  If
  you’re
  publishing
  satire
  on
  a
  platform
  where
  it
  might
  be
  mistaken
  for
  real
  news
  (looking
  at
  you,
  Facebook
  feeds),
  a
  disclaimer
  or
  obvious
  cues
  can
  help.
  Some
  satire
  sites
  label
  their
  articles
  as
  such
  in
  the
  footer
  or
  about
  page.
  You
  shouldn’t
  need
  to
  write
  “THIS
  IS
  SATIRE”
  in
  bold
  on
  the
  piece
  (that
  spoils
  the
  fun),
  but
  be
  aware
  that
  in
  today’s
  fast-scrolling
  online
  world,
  Poe’s
  Law
  reigns
  (extreme
  views
  can
  be
  indistinguishable
  from
  satire).
  To
  protect
  yourself
  and
  ensure
  the
  satire
  is
  recognized,
  make
  the
  comedic
  elements
  evident
  enough
  for
  a
  moderately
  attentive
  reader.
  If
  your
  parody
  is
  so
  straight-faced
  that
  it’s
  
  indistinguishable
  from
  real
  defamatory
  lies,
  you’re
  doing
  something
  risky
  (and
  arguably
  not
  doing
  good
  satire
  anyway,
  since
  good
  satire
  has
  a
  hint
  of
  the
  absurd).
• 
  Copyright
  and
  Fair
  Use:
  This
  is
  more
  niche,
  but
  if
  your
  satire
  involves
  imitating
  another
  work
  (like
  parodying
  a
  famous
  song
  or
  movie),
  know
  that
  parody
  is
  often
  considered
  “fair
  use”
  of
  copyrighted
  material
  because
  it’s
  transformative
  criticism.
  But
  be
  cautious
  about
  lifting
  large
  chunks
  of
  someone’s
  actual
  text
  or
  lyrics
  –
  better
  to
  mimic
  the
  style
  and
  sprinkle
  references
  than
  to
  copy-paste.
  If
  you
  do
  a
  direct
  parody
  (say,
  rewriting
  a
  popular
  song’s
  lyrics
  to
  be
  about
  a
  politician),
  legally
  it’s
  typically
  okay
  if
  it’s
  clearly
  a
  parody,
  but
  if
  you
  ever
  tried
  to
  publish/sell
  it,
  you’d
  navigate
  copyright
  law.
  Just
  a
  heads-up.
• 
  Real
  person
  in
  fiction:
  If
  you’re
  using
  a
  real
  person
  as
  a
  character
  in
  your
  satire,
  especially
  a
  private
  individual,
  thread
  carefully.
  Public
  figures
  (politicians,
  celebs)
  have
  broader
  shoulders
  for
  satire;
  private
  individuals
  (your
  random
  neighbor)
  could
  feel
  personally
  attacked.
  Changing
  names
  or
  composite
  characters
  can
  avoid
  hurting
  a
  specific
  private
  person.
  If,
  for
  instance,
  you
  want
  to
  satirize
  “the
  worst
  boss
  ever”
  and
  you
  base
  it
  on
  your
  actual
  boss
  –
  maybe
  don’t
  name
  them.
  Make
  it
  a
  fictional
  company
  and
  an
  amalgam
  of
  terrible
  boss
  traits.
  The
  satire
  will
  still
  land
  for
  everyone
  who’s
  had
  a
  bad
  boss,
  and
  you
  (probably)
  won’t
  get
  fired
  or
  sued
  by
  
  your
  boss.

Cultural
Sensitivity
and
Context

What’s
considered
fair
game
in
one
culture
or
community
might
be
taboo
in
another.
Satire
that
involves
religion,
for
example,
can
be
especially
sensitive.
Some
societies
accept
joking
about
deities
or
religious
figures;
others
might
respond
with
severe
backlash.
Know
your
audience
and
the

context
in
which
your
piece
will
appear.
This
isn’t
to
scare
you
off,
but
to
make
you
thoughtfully
weigh:

Is
this
particular
edgy
joke
serving
the
piece,
or
is
it
just
shock
for
shock’s
sake?
If
it’s
the
latter,
it’s
often
best
to
cut
it.
Shock
alone
isn’t
clever
satire;
it’s
the
message
behind
the
shock
that
matters.

Also,
consider

timing.
Tragedy
+
time
=

comedy,
they
say,
but
too
soon
and
it’s
just
tasteless.
If
something
terrible
happened
yesterday,
a
satirical
take
on
it
today
might
be
seen
as
insensitive
or
exploitative,
whereas
six
months
from
now,
if
healing
has
occurred,
the
satire
could
be
a
way
to
process
or
comment
on
it.
There’s
no
hard
rule,
but
empathy
and
common
sense
go
a
long
way.

In
summary:

Satire
can
ruffle
feathers
–
aim
to
ruffle
the
right
ones.
You
want
your
audience
to
laugh
and
think,
not
feel
needlessly
hurt
or
unfairly
attacked.
And
you
certainly
don’t
want
a
lawsuit
or
an
internet
mob
coming
after
you
because
you
misjudged
a
joke.
So
before
you
publish,
do
an
“ethics
check”:
If
the
person
or
group
I’m
satirizing
read
this,
would
I
be
comfortable?
Amused
even,
if
they
had
a
sense
of
humor?
(Sometimes
satirists
actually
send
up
people
in
a
way
that
even
the
target
might
chuckle

because
it’s
true.)
If
the
answer
is
yes,
you’re
likely
on
solid
ground.
If
the
answer
is
“they’d
probably
cry
or
rage,”
reconsider
your
approach.

Now
that
we’ve
covered
the
heavy
stuff,
let’s
lighten
up
again.
The
best
way
to
improve
at
satire
is
to
practice.
So
here
are
some
exercises
and
prompts
to
get
your
satirical
muscles
toned,
followed
by
a
list
of
common
pitfalls
to
avoid
as
you
continue
your
journey
to
comedic
glory.

Practice
Exercises
for
Aspiring
Satirists

Ready
to
put
theory
into
practice?
Below
are
a
few
fun
exercises
and
prompts
to
spark
your
satire
writing.
Treat
them
like
creative
workouts
–
the
goal
is
to

try
things
out,
not
to
produce
a
masterpiece
on
the
first
go.
Feel
free
to
take
any
prompt
and
run
with
it,
twist
it,
or
invent
your
own:

• 
  Exaggerate
  a
  Mundane
  Task:
  Write
  a
  short
  satirical
  paragraph
  that
  treats
  an
  everyday
  chore
  as
  an
  epic
  mission.
  For
  example,
  pen
  a
  
  news
  brief
  about
  the
  “heroic”
  journey
  of
  taking
  out
  the
  trash
  (interview
  the
  “eyewitness”
  raccoon,
  cite
  fake
  statistics
  on
  banana
  peel
  casualties,
  etc.).
  This
  exercise
  helps
  you
  practice
  exaggeration
  and
  grandiose
  tone
  about
  something
  trivial
  –
  a
  core
  comedic
  move.
• 
  Inanimate
  Advisor:
  Choose
  an
  object
  in
  your
  room.
  Now
  imagine
  it
  has
  opinions
  about
  how
  you
  live
  your
  life.
  Write
  an
  
  open
  letter
  from
  that
  object
  to
  you.
  Maybe
  your
  couch
  writes
  to
  complain
  about
  the
  crumbs
  you
  leave,
  or
  your
  smartphone
  writes
  a
  love-hate
  letter
  about
  being
  overused.
  This
  flexes
  personification
  and
  parody
  (the
  object
  mimicking
  a
  human
  voice).
  Bonus:
  it
  might
  reveal
  some
  truths
  about
  your
  habits,
  humorously.
• 
  Satirical
  How-To
  List:
  Make
  a
  short
  
  listicle
  of
  “Tips”
  or
  steps
  on
  a
  satirical
  topic.
  For
  instance,
  “5
  Tips
  for
  Becoming
  an
  Evil
  Overlord
  on
  a
  Budget”
  or
  “How
  to
  Apologize
  Without
  Admitting
  Any
  Guilt:
  A
  Politician’s
  Guide.”
  Use
  the
  list
  format
  (1,
  2,
  3…)
  and
  make
  each
  point
  an
  opportunity
  for
  a
  punchline.
  Listicles
  force
  brevity
  and
  structure,
  great
  for
  honing
  wit.
• 
  Fake
  Interview
  Q&A:
  Draft
  a
  
  mini
  interview
  with
  a
  fictional
  character
  who
  represents
  an
  issue.
  Maybe
  “Interview
  with
  a
  Netflix
  Binge-Watcher
  Who
  Finished
  247
  Shows
  in
  a
  Year”
  or
  “Q&A
  with
  the
  Last
  Person
  on
  Earth
  Who
  Doesn’t
  Have
  a
  Smartphone.”
  Keep
  it
  to
  a
  half-page.
  This
  gets
  you
  used
  to
  dialogue
  format
  and
  creating
  humor
  through
  contrasting
  Q
  and
  A.
• 
  Headline
  Game:
  Try
  coming
  up
  with
  
  10
  satirical
  headlines
  for
  news
  articles
  that
  don’t
  exist.
  They
  can
  be
  totally
  disconnected
  topics
  –
  the
  point
  is
  to
  craft
  a
  one-liner
  premise
  in
  headline
  form.
  E.g.,
  “Local
  Introvert
  Braves
  Grocery
  Store,
  Declares
  Victory,”
  or
  “New
  Study
  Finds
  Scientists
  Really
  Annoyed
  at
  Being
  Asked
  to
  Explain
  New
  Study.”
  Not
  all
  will
  be
  gold,
  but
  this
  will
  train
  your
  brain
  to
  see
  the
  satirical
  angle
  quickly.
• 
  Parody
  a
  Famous
  Speech
  or
  Text:
  Take
  a
  well-known
  passage
  (the
  opening
  of
  the
  Constitution,
  a
  Shakespeare
  monologue,
  the
  lyrics
  of
  a
  popular
  song)
  and
  rewrite
  it
  to
  be
  about
  a
  humorous
  modern
  topic.
  For
  example,
  “Four
  score
  and
  seven
  years
  ago
  our
  fathers
  brought
  forth…”
  could
  become
  an
  ode
  to
  the
  founding
  of
  a
  sandwich
  shop
  or
  a
  fantasy
  football
  league,
  delivered
  in
  grand
  historic
  style.
  This
  sharpens
  your
  parody
  skill
  –
  capturing
  the
  cadence
  of
  the
  original
  but
  flipping
  the
  content.
• 
  Scene
  of
  Absurd
  Normalcy:
  Write
  a
  short
  scene
  (like
  a
  script)
  where
  
  one
  absurd
  element
  is
  treated
  as
  normal
  by
  everyone.
  E.g.,
  a
  family
  calmly
  discussing
  the
  neighbor’s
  dragon
  as
  if
  it’s
  a
  barking
  dog,
  or
  office
  workers
  dealing
  with
  a
  zombie
  colleague
  in
  denial
  (“Gary,
  you
  look
  a
  bit
  pale.
  Mondays,
  huh?”).
  This
  exercise
  helps
  blend
  absurdity
  with
  deadpan
  tone,
  a
  staple
  of
  satire.

After
writing
any
of
these,

reflect:
What
technique
did
you
naturally
use?
Did
you
maintain
a
clear
target
and
purpose?
Where
did
you
laugh
at
your
own
ideas
(that’s
usually
a
good
sign!)?
If
something
feels
off,
no
worries
–
that’s
where
editing
or
feedback
comes
in.

Also,
read
professional
satire
regularly
–
from
The
Onion
headlines
to
McSweeney’s
essays
or
late-night
monologues.
Try
to
identify
techniques
you
spot:
“Ah,
that
joke
John
Oliver
made
is
basically
an
absurd
analogy
mixed
with
a
pop
culture
reference.
Could
I
do
something
similar
on
another
topic?”
This
analytical
eye,
combined
with
practice,
will
rapidly
improve
your
satirical
writing
prowess.

Pitfalls
to
Avoid
When
Writing
Satire

As
you
refine
your
satirical
writing,
beware
of
some
common
missteps
that
can
undermine
your
work.
Even
seasoned
humorists
fall
into
these
traps
occasionally.
Here’s
a
quick
checklist
of

“don’ts”
(or
at
least
“proceed
with
caution”
items)
for
satire:

• 
  Don’t
  Be
  Too
  Obscure:
  If
  your
  satire
  relies
  on
  very
  niche
  knowledge
  or
  an
  inside
  joke
  that
  only
  a
  few
  will
  get,
  it
  may
  flop.
  While
  it’s
  okay
  to
  target
  a
  specific
  audience,
  make
  sure
  there’s
  enough
  context
  for
  readers
  to
  follow
  along.
  Throwing
  in
  one
  or
  two
  niche
  references
  as
  icing
  is
  fine,
  but
  the
  cake
  itself
  should
  be
  universally
  understandable.
  Satire
  already
  asks
  readers
  to
  pick
  up
  on
  subtleties
  –
  don’t
  make
  them
  do
  advanced
  calculus
  on
  top
  of
  it.
• 
  Avoid
  Overly
  Preachy
  Tone:
  Remember,
  you’re
  writing
  satire,
  not
  a
  manifesto
  (even
  if
  you
  have
  strong
  feelings
  on
  the
  topic).
  If
  you
  drop
  the
  humor
  entirely
  to
  soapbox
  your
  real
  opinion,
  readers
  feel
  bait-and-switched.
  The
  comedic
  veneer
  should
  carry
  through.
  If
  you
  need
  to
  include
  a
  serious
  point,
  wrap
  it
  in
  wit
  or
  brevity.
  You
  never
  want
  the
  reader
  to
  feel
  lectured
  to
  –
  you
  want
  them
  to
  laugh
  
  and
  then
  realize
  the
  point.
• 
  Steer
  Clear
  of
  Punching
  Down:
  We’ve
  said
  it
  enough,
  but
  one
  more
  time:
  making
  fun
  of
  the
  powerless
  or
  victims
  is
  a
  bad
  look.
  It
  often
  comes
  off
  as
  mean-spirited
  rather
  than
  clever.
  If
  you
  catch
  yourself
  doing
  this,
  refocus
  the
  joke.
  For
  example,
  instead
  of
  mocking
  “dumb
  consumers”
  who
  fell
  for
  a
  scam,
  mock
  the
  
  scammer
  or
  the
  societal
  factors
  that
  allowed
  it.
  Empathy
  can
  go
  hand-in-hand
  with
  satire.
• 
  Don’t
  Sacrifice
  Story/Logic
  for
  
  Jokes:
  It’s
  tempting
  to
  throw
  every
  
  funny
  idea
  into
  a
  piece,
  but
  if
  something
  doesn’t
  fit
  the
  narrative
  or
  angle,
  it
  can
  jolt
  the
  reader
  out
  of
  the
  experience.
  A
  random
  digression
  that’s
  hilarious
  on
  its
  own
  might
  need
  to
  be
  cut
  if
  it
  doesn’t
  serve
  the
  overall
  piece.
  Satire
  can
  be
  silly,
  but
  it
  should
  still
  have
  its
  own
  internal
  logic.
  Stick
  to
  the
  rules
  you’ve
  set
  in
  your
  satirical
  scenario;
  if
  you
  break
  them,
  do
  it
  intentionally
  for
  effect,
  not
  haphazardly.
• 
  Watch
  the
  Length:
  Particularly
  for
  humor,
  
  concise
  is
  usually
  better.
  A
  joke
  stretched
  too
  long
  can
  wither.
  In
  revising,
  see
  if
  you
  can
  say
  the
  same
  with
  fewer
  words.
  Many
  classic
  satirical
  essays
  are
  relatively
  short
  (500-1500
  words).
  Of
  course,
  this
  very
  guide
  you’re
  reading
  is
  
  much
  longer
  because
  it’s
  instructional
  –
  but
  when
  writing
  actual
  satire,
  know
  when
  to
  wrap
  it
  up.
  Leave
  the
  audience
  wanting
  more,
  not
  less.
• 
  Be
  Careful
  with
  Satire
  of
  Tragedy:
  Satirizing
  tragic
  events
  (war,
  pandemics,
  etc.)
  can
  be
  extremely
  powerful
  –
  or
  extremely
  off-putting.
  Timing,
  tone,
  and
  target
  matter
  immensely.
  Generally,
  direct
  satire
  of
  fresh
  tragedies
  reads
  as
  tasteless.
  But
  satire
  of
  the
  
  response
  to
  tragedies
  or
  the
  
  systems
  behind
  them
  can
  be
  impactful.
  Example:
  it
  might
  feel
  wrong
  to
  satirize
  a
  natural
  disaster’s
  victims,
  but
  satirizing
  an
  incompetent
  relief
  effort
  or
  greedy
  price
  gougers
  during
  the
  disaster
  aims
  at
  those
  who
  deserve
  scrutiny.
  Always
  ask:
  
  Am
  I
  targeting
  the
  cause
  of
  suffering,
  or
  adding
  to
  it?
• 
  Avoid
  One-Note
  
  Jokes:
  If
  your
  entire
  piece
  hinges
  on
  a
  single
  joke
  repeated
  over
  and
  over,
  it
  might
  wear
  thin.
  Satire
  often
  works
  through
  a
  core
  premise,
  yes,
  but
  find
  ways
  to
  escalate
  or
  add
  dimensions
  to
  that
  premise.
  Think
  of
  a
  sketch
  on
  SNL:
  the
  best
  ones
  usually
  heighten
  the
  scenario
  or
  introduce
  twists,
  not
  just
  repeat
  the
  same
  punchline
  5
  times.
  If
  you
  find
  your
  draft
  feeling
  repetitive,
  brainstorm
  a
  way
  to
  up
  the
  ante
  in
  the
  second
  half
  or
  bring
  in
  a
  new
  angle
  while
  sticking
  to
  the
  theme.
• 
  Don’t
  Forget
  to
  Entertain:
  Satire
  can
  be
  biting
  and
  serious
  in
  its
  aim,
  but
  at
  the
  end
  of
  the
  day,
  it
  should
  entertain
  the
  reader.
  If
  someone
  is
  bored
  reading
  it,
  the
  message
  is
  lost.
  This
  doesn’t
  mean
  every
  line
  must
  be
  a
  joke,
  but
  the
  overall
  piece
  should
  be
  engaging.
  Use
  vivid
  language,
  craft
  a
  narrative,
  surprise
  the
  reader.
  Humor
  is
  an
  ally
  in
  keeping
  attention
  –
  use
  it
  regularly.

Finally,
don’t
get
discouraged
by
a
joke
that
doesn’t
land
or
a
piece
that
doesn’t
quite
work.

Comedy
is
as
much
art
as
science.
Sometimes
you
think
something
is
hilarious
and
readers
go
“huh?”,
and
vice
versa.

Learn
from
each
attempt.
Satire
writing
improves
with
feedback
and
practice,
just
like
any
other
skill.

---

In
Conclusion:
Satire
is
a
wonderful
outlet
to
channel
frustration,
highlight
absurdities,
and
maybe
even
influence
thoughts
–
all
through
laughter.
It’s
equal
parts

creativity,
intellect,
and
mischief.
As
you
write,
picture
that
ideal
reader
who

gets
it,
chuckling
and
nodding
along.
Write
for
them.
And
if
along
the
way
you
ruffle
a
few
feathers
of
those
in
dire
need
of
ruffling,
well…
that’s
satire
for
ya.

Now
go
forth
and
be

funny,
be
bold,
and
most
importantly,
be
sharp.
The
world
always
needs
more
humor
and
truth,
delivered
with
a
sly
grin.
Happy
writing
–
can’t
wait
to
see
you

satirize
the
heck
out
of
something!

Go to Source
Author: Ingrid Gustafsson