Chapter 1
The building blocks of satirical humor
Chapter 2
Global traditions of mocking power
Chapter 3
Finding the comedic angle in daily headlines
Chapter 4
Crafting the perfect satirical headline
Chapter 5
Satire versus disinformation in the digital age
YOUR GOAL
Master of Writing news satire
Ch 2 · Global traditions of mocking power
sisterdharma Rome's Talking Statues
Pasting rhymes on stone, mocking kings on thrones, Pasquino speaks!
sisterdharma Colombian journalist Jaime Garzón used satirical characters to critique political turmoil.
sisterdharma Private Eye magazine pioneered a unique mix of investigative journalism and biting satire.
BETA
sisterdharma Drag absurd punchlines onto daily news headlines to learn how to write hilarious political satire.
Fun Fact
Egypt's satirical pioneer: Bassem Youssef's satirical show Al-Bernameg attracted up to 30 million weekly viewers in 2013, making it the most-watched show in the Arab world.
Glossary
satire (noun)
The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices. In ancient Athens, playwright Aristophanes used comedic plays to mock the powerful military leader Cleon.
The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices. In ancient Athens, playwright Aristophanes used comedic plays to mock the powerful military leader Cleon.
Quiz
What coded mythical creature did Chinese internet users invent in 2009 to satirize online censorship?
Quiz
What is the name of Kenya's popular satirical puppet show that debuted in 2009 to mock regional politicians?
Quiz
Which 19th-century American author wrote political satire under the pen name Mark Twain?
Quiz
Which beloved Colombian journalist and satirist used characters like Heriberto de la Calle to interview politicians before his death in 1999?
Quiz
What is the name of the British satirical magazine founded in 1961 that combines jokes with serious investigative journalism?
Quiz
In Japanese theater, what traditional comic form developed alongside Noh to satirize daily human follies?
Quiz
Which French satirical weekly newspaper, founded in 1970, is famous for its highly controversial editorial cartoons?
Quiz
Which Egyptian satirist hosted the wildly popular political comedy show Al-Bernameg starting in 2011?