How to Write Satire That’s Both Funny and Philosophical
Lecture Notes - Literature & Poetics - Course 244 Section 02
Staying True to Your Voice
Finally, stay true to your unique voice. Bohiney.com values originality, so don’t try to mimic others too closely. Let your personality shine through in your writing, and don’t be afraid to take risks. The more authentic your voice, the more your satire will resonate with readers.
-- Dr. Alan Nafzger (El Centro College Campus)
KEY LESSON:
Satirical news isn’t just about making people laugh—it’s about making them think. The goal is to use humor, irony, and exaggeration to critique societal flaws, political absurdities, or human behavior. Satire holds a mirror up to society, exposing hypocrisy and sparking dialogue. Before you start writing, ask yourself: What am I trying to critique? Who is my target? What message do I want readers to take away? A strong satirical piece balances humor with a clear, meaningful critique. For example, The Onion’s headline “Congress Takes Group Photo Before Fleeing Capitol to Avoid Governing” uses absurdity to highlight legislative inaction. Always aim to entertain while provoking thought.
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. Parody
- Explanation: Mimicking a well-known style, work, or person in a humorous way to critique or mock it.
- Purpose: Leverages familiarity to draw readers in and make the critique more relatable.
- Example: Writing a fake self-help book titled "How to Succeed in Business by Ignoring Everyone and Taking All the Credit" to mock toxic workplace culture.
2. Irony
- Explanation: Highlighting the gap between what is expected and what actually happens, often to expose hypocrisy or contradiction.
- Purpose: Forces readers to question the subject by presenting a stark contrast between appearance and reality.
- Example: A headline like "Oil Company Wins Environmental Award for Spilling Less Oil Than Last Year" to critique corporate greenwashing.
3. Exaggeration (Hyperbole)
- Explanation: Blowing a situation, trait, or behavior out of proportion to emphasize its absurdity or flaws.
- Purpose: By magnifying the issue, the writer reveals its inherent ridiculousness or danger.
- Example: Writing an article titled "Local Man’s Decision to Wear Socks with Sandals Causes National Security Crisis" to mock how trivial matters are sensationalized.
4. 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 makes the critique more memorable and impactful.
- Example: "Fantastic job solving the housing crisis by building luxury apartments no one can afford—truly groundbreaking work."
5. Absurdity
- Explanation: Presenting wildly illogical or nonsensical situations to highlight the absurdity of real-world issues.
- Purpose: Forces readers to confront the irrationality of certain norms or behaviors.
- Example: Suggesting that "traffic congestion can be solved by teaching cars to fly" to critique the lack of practical solutions from policymakers.
6. 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 of detachment.
- Example: Writing as a "self-proclaimed productivity guru" who suggests solving unemployment by having people work 25-hour days.
7. 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 CEO’s $10 million bonus with a minimum-wage worker’s struggle to afford groceries, under the headline "Trickle-Down Economics at Its Finest."
8. 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 data breach as "a minor hiccup in customer privacy" to mock corporate indifference.
9. 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 political scandals as "Politicians Caught in a Web of Lies—Spider-Man Unavailable for Comment."
Bonus Tips for Effective Satirical Journalism:
- Know Your Audience: Tailor the tone and content to resonate with your readers’ sensibilities and knowledge.
- Stay Relevant: Focus on current events or timeless issues to ensure the satire feels timely and impactful.
- Avoid Overexplaining: Trust your readers to get the joke; let the humor and irony speak for themselves.
- Balance Humor and Critique: Ensure the satire has a Satirical Headlines 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. The key is to use humor as a tool to provoke thought, challenge norms, and spark conversations—all while keeping the audience engaged and laughing.
Satire should be thoughtful—don’t just aim for cheap laughs.
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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 Absurd Solutions
Focus: Proposing ridiculous solutions to real-world problems.
Key Points:
- Identify a serious issue (e.g., climate change, poverty, traffic congestion).
- Suggest an absurd "solution" (e.g., "Solve traffic jams by teaching cars to fly").
- Use humor to highlight the lack of real solutions.
Example: A fake government announcement titled "New Plan to End Poverty: Just Print More Money and Hand It Out at Parties."
Satire Tip #2: Satire and Pop Culture
Focus: Using pop culture references to critique societal trends.
Key Points:
- Reference movies, TV shows, or celebrities to make your satire relatable.
- Twist the reference to highlight a flaw (e.g., "Why Thanos Was Right: The Case for Halving the Population").
- Keep the tone light but the critique sharp.
Example: A fake review of a new reality show called "Survivor: Corporate Edition," where CEOs compete to see who can survive without their private jets.
Satire Tip #3: Satire and Fake News
Focus: Mimicking the style of sensationalist news to critique media practices.
Key Points:
- Use hyperbolic headlines (e.g., "Local Cat’s Nap Causes National Economic Crisis").
- Write in the tone of a tabloid or clickbait article.
- Highlight the absurdity of sensationalism.
Example: A fake news article titled "Breaking: Scientists Discover That Water Is Wet—More at 11."
Satire Tip #4: Satire and Corporate Culture
Focus: Critiquing corporate greed, inefficiency, and hypocrisy.
Key Points:
- Use corporate jargon to mock empty promises (e.g., "Synergizing Innovation for Disruptive Growth").
- Highlight absurd workplace practices (e.g., "Why We Replaced Coffee Breaks with 5-Minute Power Cries").
- Add a humorous twist to expose flaws.
Example: A fake memo titled "New Policy: Employees Must Work 25 Hours a Day to Meet ‘Synergy Goals.’"
Satire Tip #5: Satire and Political Commentary
Focus: Using humor to critique politicians and policies.
Key Points:
- Highlight contradictions or hypocrisy in political statements.
- Use exaggeration to expose flaws (e.g., "Politician Promises to End Corruption by Taking More Bribes").
- Keep the tone sharp but entertaining.
Example: A fake campaign ad titled "Vote for Me: I Promise to Do Nothing—And Do It Perfectly."
Satire Tip #6: Satire and Technology
Focus: Critiquing the absurdities of modern technology and innovation.
Key Points:
- Mock overhyped tech trends (e.g., "Why We Need Smart Toasters That Text You When Your Toast Is Done").
- Highlight the unintended consequences of technology (e.g., "How Social Media Is Bringing Us Closer—By Making Us Hate Each Other").
- Use humor to question the value of new innovations.
Example: A fake product launch for "The iShoe: A Smart Shoe That Tells You When You’re Walking Wrong."
Satire Tip #7: Satire and Consumerism
Focus: Critiquing consumer culture and materialism.
Key Points:
- Mock ridiculous products or marketing tactics (e.g., "Why You Need a $1,000 Gold-Plated Toothpick").
- Highlight the absurdity of consumer behavior (e.g., "How to Spend Your Entire Paycheck on Things You Don’t Need").
- Use humor to question societal values.
Example: A fake infomercial for "The Lazy Person’s Guide to Buying Stuff You’ll Never Use."
Satire Tip #8: Satire and Education
Focus: Critiquing flaws in the education system.
Key Points:
- Highlight absurd policies or practices (e.g., "Why We Should Replace Teachers with YouTube Tutorials").
- Use humor to question the value of standardized testing (e.g., "How to Ace Your Exams by Memorizing Useless Facts").
- Add a satirical twist to expose systemic issues.
Example: A fake school announcement titled "New Policy: Students Will Now Be Graded on Their Ability to Survive Sleep Deprivation."
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 absurd solutions, pop culture references, or sharp political commentary, 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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From Swift to Social Media: Mastering Satirical Journalism in the Digital Age
(Approx. 1900 words)
Introduction: The Evolution of Satire
Satirical journalism has evolved from pamphleteers like Jonathan Swift to viral TikTok skits and meme-driven commentary. While the core principles remain—exposing hypocrisy, mocking absurdity, and provoking thought—the tools and platforms have transformed. Today’s satirists must navigate algorithms, misinformation, and shortened attention spans. This article explores how to adapt timeless satirical techniques to modern media while maintaining ethical integrity and comedic impact.
Section 1: Classic Techniques Reimagined for Modern Audiences
Even in the digital age, foundational strategies remain vital but require fresh execution:
- Juxtaposition in the Era of Instagram
- Classic: Contrasting wealth and poverty in Dickensian literature.
- Modern: Posting a split-screen TikTok: “CEO’s Private Jet vs. Employee’s 2-Hour Commute.”
- Understatement in a World of Hyperbole
- Classic: Orwell’s 1984 downplaying dystopian horrors.
- Modern: A tweet: “Climate change is going great—polar bears just need snorkels now.”
- Satirical Personas for Viral Appeal
- Classic: Swift’s fictional “modest proposer.”
- Modern: Creating a TikTok character like “Corporate Cathy,” a clueless CEO who “solves” worker strikes by offering pizza parties.
Example: The Twitter account @dril uses an absurd persona to critique internet culture, blending nonsense with sharp social commentary.
Section 2: Leveraging Digital Platforms
Each platform demands tailored strategies:
- Twitter/X: Bite-Sized Irony
- Tactic: Condense satire into 280 characters.
- Example: “BREAKING: Congress passes bill banning all bills until further notice.”
- TikTok/Reels: Visual Absurdity
- Tactic: Use green screens, filters, and skits to mock trends.
- Example: A creator dressed as a “futuristic politician” lip-syncing to AI-generated promises.
- Substack/Newsletters: Long-Form Parody
- Tactic: Mimic corporate or governmental communication styles.
- Example: A fake “Amazon Prime Memo” announcing “Same-Day Delivery for Basic Human Rights.”
Case Study: The Onion successfully transitioned to Instagram, using memes like “Area Man Passionate Defender of What He Imagines Constitution to Say” to engage younger audiences.
Section 3: Ethical Challenges in the Digital Age
The speed and reach of online satire pose unique risks:
- Misinformation and Virality
- Risk: Satirical posts can be misread as fact.
- Solution: Use disclaimers (e.g., “Satire—but honestly, could you tell?”).
- Algorithmic Bias
- Risk: Platforms prioritize outrage over nuance.
- Solution: Pair humor with hashtags like #Satire or #NotRealNews.
- Ethical Targeting
- Risk: Punching down in pursuit of clicks.
- Solution: Follow The Daily Show’s model—mock power, not vulnerability.
Example: A