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 3 · Finding the comedic angle in daily headlines
sisterdharma Satirizing Daily Headlines
When the government spent on a grand art display, Punch coined 'cartoon' to laugh it away!
sisterdharma A lateral pivot translates a complex political event into a simple household scenario.
sisterdharma The golden rule of political satire is 'punching up'—targeting those with power.
BETA
sisterdharma Drag witty punchlines onto daily headlines to learn how to write hilarious political satire.
Fun Fact
Fast-paced newsrooms: The Onion's editorial team reviews up to 1,000 headline pitches every week, but only selects about 30 to 40 for publication.
Glossary
satire (noun)
The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize human vice or folly. The Onion launched online in 1996, utilizing this comedic form to mock major global political news.
The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize human vice or folly. The Onion launched online in 1996, utilizing this comedic form to mock major global political news.
Quiz
Which Canadian satirical publication, founded in 1997, is famous for headlines like 'Local Man Ruins Everything'?
Quiz
What is the term for a satirical story that is so realistic that readers mistake it for a genuine news report?
Quiz
Which legendary American satirical news show, hosted by Jon Stewart from 1999 to 2015, reshaped how young people consumed news?
Quiz
What comedic writing rule advises against mocking marginalized groups who have little social power?
Quiz
Within how many hours does a satirical response typically need to launch to remain relevant to a breaking news cycle?
Quiz
What is the name of the brainstorming technique where you translate complex political news into a simple household metaphor?
Quiz
What is the main goal of finding the 'target' in a news story before you begin writing a satirical piece?
Quiz
What is the primary target of satire that distinguishes it from general, non-political comedy?