A STUDY IN SATIRE Shrewd Humor for Smart

A STUDY IN SATIRE: Shrewd Humor for Smart Kids

■Satire is a genre of writing that criticizes or ridicules in order to expose human folly or bring about change. It has a definite target and uses wit or humor in order to make a point. Satire

Elements of Satire ■ Irony ■ Incongruity ■ Reversal ■ Sarcasm ■ Parody ■ Exaggeration ■ Understatement

Elements of Satire ■ Irony ■ Incongruity ■ Reversal ■ Sarcasm ■ Parody ■ Exaggeration ■ Understatement ■ Presents a state of affairs deliberately contrary to the audience’s normal expectations

Elements of Satire ■ Irony ■ Incongruity ■ Reversal ■ Sarcasm ■ Parody ■ Exaggeration ■ Understatement ■ A type of irony that represents things that are out of place or are absurd in relation to their surroundings

Elements of Satire ■ Irony ■ Incongruity ■ Reversal ■ Sarcasm ■ Parody ■ Exaggeration ■ Understatement ■ A type of irony that presents things in the opposite of the normal order (e. g. , the order of events, hierarchical order)

Elements of Satire ■ Irony ■ Incongruity ■ Reversal ■ Sarcasm ■ Parody ■ Exaggeration ■ Understatement ■ A type of irony which expresses meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, and shows contempt

Elements of Satire ■ Irony ■ Incongruity ■ Reversal ■ Sarcasm ■ Parody ■ Exaggeration ■ Understatement ■ Imitates the techniques and/or style of some person, place, or thing for comedic effect

Elements of Satire ■ Irony ■ Incongruity ■ Reversal ■ Sarcasm ■ Parody ■ Exaggeration ■ Understatement ■ Enlarges, increases, or represents something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous and its faults can be seen; also known as hyperbole

Elements of Satire ■ Irony ■ Incongruity ■ Reversal ■ Sarcasm ■ Parody ■ Exaggeration ■ Understatement ■ The opposite of exaggeration, this technique presents something to be smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is

Notes ■ While satire often uses one or more of these elements, these elements alone do not create the satire. ■ You can have exaggeration, reversal, or parody, etc. which is not satirical. ■ What makes something satirical is its use of criticism or ridicule. Identifying the object (or objects) of that ridicule is important to understanding satire. ■ Humor is also an important element, although the comedy can be “witty” or understated. ■ Satire is not exclusive to any particular viewpoint. It is merely a tool.