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 1 · The building blocks of satirical humor
sisterdharma The Art of Satire
We layer up the irony and stretch the truth too far, To hold a funny mirror up to who we really are.
sisterdharma Irony involves stating the exact opposite of the literal truth to expose a deeper reality.
sisterdharma Hyperbole takes a real news story and stretches it to an illogical extreme to highlight public reactions.
BETA
sisterdharma Match hilarious punchlines to daily news stories to learn how to write political satire.
Fun Fact
Roman satire origins: Roman poet Juvenal wrote biting satires in the 1st century AD, criticizing Rome's elite and coining the phrase 'bread and circuses.'
Glossary
irony (noun)
The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. In 1729, Jonathan Swift famously used this device to mock English policy toward impoverished Irish families.
The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. In 1729, Jonathan Swift famously used this device to mock English policy toward impoverished Irish families.
Quiz
What satirical technique closely mimics the style, tone, and format of a serious target to mock it?
Quiz
Which ancient Roman poet is famous for writing 16 biting satirical poems in the 1st century AD?
Quiz
Which 1759 French satirical novel by Voltaire mocked the overly optimistic philosophy of his era?
Quiz
Which satirical device involves stating the exact opposite of the literal truth to make a point?
Quiz
What literary term describes placing two highly contrasting ideas side-by-side to expose absurdity?
Quiz
What is the name of the classic satirical technique where a writer exaggerates a situation to its absolute limit?
Quiz
Which famous 18th-century satirical essay by Jonathan Swift suggested eating babies to solve Irish poverty?