how to write a social satire essay

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Mastering the art of writing a hilariously smart and witty satirical essay – tips, tricks, and techniques.

Embarking on a literary adventure that blends cunning humor and razor-sharp wit, satirical essays offer a refreshing escape from the mundane. With their clever wordplay and sly social commentary, these essays dance on the fine line between fiction and reality, challenging readers to question the absurdities of everyday life. Join us as we traverse the labyrinthine alleys of satire and explore the art of crafting thought-provoking and laughter-inducing prose.

Armed with irony as their weapon of choice, satirical essays take aim at conventional norms and societal absurdities, armed with sharp-witted prose that slices through hypocrisy. Through exaggerated storytelling, biting sarcasm, and unexpected twists, satirists challenge established powers and traditions, urging readers to question authority and seek truth beyond superficial appearances. Prepare to navigate a literary landscape that blurs the boundaries between humor and criticism, coaxing even the most skeptical of minds to ROFL (Roll On the Floor Laughing) and ponder upon societal follies.

Beyond their comedic allure, satirical essays often possess an undercurrent of social critique, with writers using laughter as a Trojan horse to smuggle insightful observations past our defenses. Like a master puppeteer, satirical writers manipulate language, satire their weapon to reveal the hidden fault lines of society’s facade. They unmask hypocrisy, expose contradictions, and coax readers into adopting fresh perspectives. So, sharpen your wit and tighten your belts, for we are about to embark on a satirical rollercoaster that will challenge your preconceptions and ignite the flames of satire within your very soul.

Understanding Satire

Satire is a literary tool that employs humor and irony to criticize and mock various aspects of society. It offers a unique perspective on societal issues by using wit, sarcasm, and exaggeration to expose the flaws and absurdities of human behavior, institutions, and beliefs.

Satire is not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a form of social commentary. It challenges commonly accepted ideas and norms, presenting them in a way that highlights their inconsistencies and hypocrisies. Satire can be found in various forms of entertainment, including literature, film, television, and even political cartoons.

• Wit: Satire often relies on clever, quick-witted wordplay and puns to make its point. It uses language to create humorous and thought-provoking observations about society.
• Sarcasm: Satire frequently employs sarcasm to criticize and mock certain individuals, groups, or behaviors. It uses ironic statements to highlight the hypocrisy or foolishness of its targets.
• Exaggeration: Satire often relies on exaggeration to emphasize the flaws and absurdities it wishes to expose. By taking things to an extreme, it can effectively highlight the irrationality and illogicality of certain beliefs or actions.
• Social Commentary: Satire serves as a form of social commentary, providing a critical lens through which societal issues can be examined. It challenges the status quo and prompts readers to question the systems and practices they may otherwise take for granted.

Understanding satire requires a keen sense of humor and an appreciation for irony. It offers a fresh and often entertaining perspective on societal issues, encouraging readers to think critically and question the world around them. By employing various literary devices and techniques, satire challenges readers to examine their own beliefs and assumptions, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of the complexities of human nature and society.

Defining Satire and Its Purpose

Satire is a unique form of literature that uses humor and sarcasm to critique and mock various aspects of society. It serves as a powerful tool for social commentary and provides a platform for writers to express their opinions on serious issues in an entertaining and thought-provoking way.

At its core, satire aims to expose the flaws, vices, and absurdities present in society and human behavior. It utilizes irony, exaggeration, and ridicule to challenge the status quo and prompt readers to question and reflect upon their own beliefs and actions. Its purpose is not only to entertain but also to provoke critical thinking and promote change.

Satire often targets individuals or institutions in positions of power or authority, highlighting their hypocrisy, corruption, or incompetence. It can also focus on societal norms, cultural practices, or prevailing ideologies, revealing their contradictions or shortcomings. By shining a light on these shortcomings, satire encourages readers to consider alternative perspectives and rethink traditional norms.

Furthermore, satire can act as a form of social catharsis by providing a collective outlet for frustration and dissatisfaction. It allows individuals to laugh at the absurdities of life and find solace in the shared recognition of societal absurdities. Through humor, satire can foster a sense of unity and solidarity among readers, encouraging them to question and challenge societal norms together.

In conclusion, satire is a powerful literary tool that uses humor and ridicule to expose and critique societal flaws. Its purpose goes beyond entertainment and aims to provoke critical thinking, promote change, and foster a collective sense of shared recognition and catharsis. Through satire, writers have the ability to challenge the status quo and inspire readers to question and reflect upon their own beliefs and actions.

Understanding Various Forms of Satire

Satire is a powerful form of communication that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to critique and ridicule society, individuals, or institutions. By employing various techniques, satirical writing aims to shed light on social or political issues and provoke thought in the reader.

There are numerous forms of satire, each with its own distinctive characteristics and purposes. One common form is verbal irony , where the intended meaning is different from the literal words used. This type of satire often relies on sarcasm and witty remarks to make its point.

Another form of satire is parody , which imitates the style, tone, or content of another work or genre. Parodies often use exaggeration and humor to expose the flaws or absurdities in the original subject matter. This form of satire is frequently seen in literature, music, and film.

Burlesque satire, on the other hand, is characterized by its mocking and disrespectful tone. It uses crude humor and vulgarity to ridicule societal norms or conventions. Burlesque satire often challenges the audience’s sensibilities and provokes discomfort while highlighting hypocrisy or moral corruption.

Another form of satire is juxtaposition , which involves placing two contrasting ideas or situations side by side to highlight their absurdity. Juxtaposition can be a powerful tool for satirists to convey their message by creating a stark contrast that exposes contradictions or hypocrisy in society.

Satirical caricature is yet another form that uses exaggerated or distorted elements to portray individuals or groups in a comically absurd way. By emphasizing certain features or traits, satirical caricature aims to expose the subject’s flaws or criticize their behavior or beliefs.

These are just a few examples of the various forms of satire that exist. Each form has its own unique characteristics and appeals to different audiences. By understanding these different forms, writers can effectively employ satire to entertain, challenge, and inspire readers.

Tips for Crafting a Witty Piece of Satire

Imbuing your writing with satire in a way that effectively pokes fun at societal norms or human follies is an art form few can master. To help you craft a humorous and thought-provoking essay, we have compiled some essential tips that will guide you through the satirical writing process.

1. Choose your target judiciously: Select a topic or subject that you wish to satirize, something that reflects the absurd or flawed aspects of society or human behavior.

2. Employ irony and sarcasm: Utilize these potent literary devices to mock or ridicule your chosen target. Make clever and witty observations by employing subtle irony or sharp sarcasm.

3. Embrace exaggeration: Exaggeration is key to successful satire. Amplify certain characteristics or traits to the point of absurdity to highlight their foolishness or impracticality.

4. Create engaging characters: Develop fictional or real-life characters that embody the flaws or qualities you wish to satirize. By doing so, you can effectively convey your intended message in an engaging and relatable manner.

5. Use humor wisely: Utilize humor to engage your readers and make your points more memorable. Employ wit, wordplay, and puns to make your satirical essay entertaining and thought-provoking.

6. Keep it relevant: Ensure your satire remains relevant and relatable to your audience. Address current events or cultural phenomena that are familiar to your readers, as this will enhance the impact of your essay.

7. Employ clever word choice: Select your words carefully, utilizing language that is witty and incisive. Play with puns, double entendre, and metaphors to add layers of meaning and depth to your writing.

8. Consider the tone: The tone of your satirical essay plays a significant role in how effectively your message is conveyed. Strike a balance between amusement and criticism, ensuring your tone does not become overly critical or offensive.

9. Revise and refine: After completing your initial draft, take the time to review and revise your work. Polish your language, refine your humor, and ensure the structure and flow of your essay effectively deliver your satirical message.

By following these tips, you will be well-equipped to embark on the adventure of satirical writing. Remember, satirical essays should prompt laughter and reflection, making your readers both smile and ponder the issues you subtly illuminate.

Choose a Relevant Topic

When embarking on the task of crafting a satirical essay, it is essential to carefully select a relevant topic that encompasses an aspect of society or human behavior one wishes to satirize. In order to effectively convey your satirical message, it is important to choose a topic that is familiar to your audience and holds some degree of cultural significance.

Consider current events, social issues, or trends that have gained widespread attention and provoke strong emotions or opinions. Look for topics that have inherent absurdity, hypocrisy, or irony that can be easily exaggerated and ridiculed in your essay.

Some potential areas to explore include politics, popular culture, technology, education, or any other aspect of modern life that may be ripe for satirical commentary. Keep in mind that your goal is not to offend or attack individuals, but to use humor and sarcasm to critique larger societal issues or institutions.

Furthermore, it is important to choose a topic that you have a deep understanding of, as this will allow you to effectively convey your satirical message and engage your readers. Conduct thorough research and gather relevant information and examples that will support your satirical argument.

In essence, choosing a relevant topic for your satirical essay is the first step towards creating a successful and impactful piece of writing. By selecting a subject that resonates with your audience and has ample material to satirize, you will be able to craft a compelling essay that entertains and challenges societal norms.

• Choose a topic that is familiar to your audience
• Select a subject with cultural significance
• Look for inherent absurdity, hypocrisy, or irony
• Avoid offending individuals and focus on critiquing larger societal issues
• Ensure a deep understanding of the chosen topic
• Support your argument with thorough research and examples

Develop a Strong Thesis Statement

In order to craft a successful and impactful satirical essay, it is crucial to develop a strong thesis statement. Your thesis statement encapsulates the main idea or argument of your essay and provides a clear direction for your writing. A well-crafted thesis statement not only guides your essay, but also elicits thought and provokes a reaction from your readers.

When developing your thesis statement, it is important to choose a topic that lends itself well to satire. Satire is a form of creative writing that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize or ridicule societal issues or human vices. Your thesis statement should reflect the satirical nature of your essay and make a bold statement about the topic you are addressing.

One strategy for developing a strong thesis statement is to identify a specific aspect or element of your chosen topic to focus on. By honing in on a particular aspect, you can highlight the absurdity, hypocrisy, or flaws inherent in the subject matter. This specificity adds depth and nuance to your essay, making your satirical critique more powerful.

Another important consideration when developing your thesis statement is to consider your audience. Who do you hope to target or engage with your essay? Your thesis statement should take into account the perspectives, values, and beliefs of your intended audience. By tailoring your thesis statement to resonate with your audience, you increase the likelihood of capturing their attention and sparking their interest.

Remember, a strong thesis statement is just the beginning of a well-crafted satirical essay. It sets the stage for your writing and provides a clear roadmap for your argument. Take the time to develop a thesis statement that is engaging, provocative, and thought-provoking, and you will be well on your way to writing a successful satirical essay.

Use Humor and Irony

Injecting humor and irony into your satirical essay is crucial for effectively conveying your message. It allows you to highlight the absurdity and contradictions of a particular topic or situation in a way that not only amuses readers but also prompts them to critically think about the issue at hand.

Witty remarks, clever wordplay, and sarcastic undertones can be your weapons of choice in bringing out the comedic elements of your essay. By using humor, you can grab your readers’ attention and keep them engaged throughout your writing. Furthermore, irony adds a layer of depth to your satire, allowing you to subtly critique societal norms, political ideologies, or human behavior.

Remember that effective satire uses humor and irony as tools, not as mere jokes or insults. The goal is to make a point and provoke thoughtful reflection, not just to entertain. So, weave your humor and irony with skill and precision, selecting your words carefully to achieve the desired effect.

Be aware that using humor and irony requires a delicate balance. While you want to evoke laughter and amusement, you must also be mindful of the potential for misunderstanding or offense. Satire should challenge the status quo and promote critical thinking, but not at the expense of respect and empathy.

Ultimately, by infusing your satirical essay with humor and irony, you can craft a piece that both entertains and enlightens. So, embrace your comedic side and let the laughter and irony guide your writing!

Employ Satirical Devices

In order to effectively convey your satirical message in your essay, it is crucial to employ various satirical devices. These devices serve as the tools that will help you create a humorous and mocking tone, and effectively critique the subject matter you are satirizing.

• Irony: One of the most common satirical devices, irony involves saying or writing the opposite of what you actually mean. By using irony, you can highlight the absurdity or hypocrisy of a situation or individual.
• Sarcasm: This device relies on sharp and mocking remarks to ridicule or criticize a subject. Sarcasm can add a comedic element to your essay and make your satirical points more impactful.
• Hyperbole: Hyperbole involves extreme exaggeration to emphasize a point or create a humorous effect. By using hyperbole, you can emphasize the flaws or ridiculous aspects of the subject you are satirizing.
• Parody: A parody is a satirical imitation of a specific work, genre, or style. By mimicking and exaggerating the characteristics of the original, you can highlight its flaws, make fun of it, or deliver your message in a more humorous way.
• Understatement: Understatement involves depicting a situation or a subject as less significant or serious than it actually is. By using understatement, you can ironically downplay the importance of something or make it seem ridiculous.
• Wordplay: Wordplay involves using puns, double entendres, or other linguistic devices to create humorous or satirical effects. By playing with words and their meanings, you can add a layer of wit and cleverness to your essay.

By consciously employing these satirical devices in your essay, you can effectively mock and criticize the subject matter while entertaining and engaging your readers. However, it is important to use these devices sparingly and thoughtfully, ensuring that they enhance your satirical message rather than overshadowing it.

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How To Write a Satire Essay?

20 February, 2021

13 minutes read

Author:  Richard Pircher

As a high school or college student, you definitely have your fair share of assignments. From carrying out backbreaking research on late historical figures to writing endless essays, school work can be a tad draining. However, one assignment that always seems to have students in a fix is the satire essay.

Writing an essay on satire is one of the hardest tasks you’d come across in high school or college. This kind of essay typically requires a vast knowledge of the subject matter and a great sense of humor. 

This leads us to the big question: how do you write a Nobel prize-worthy satirical essay? Let’s find out. 

What Is a Satire Essay? 

Satire is a literary device or genre employed by a significant number of professional authors. This genre is particularly aimed at criticizing a person or group of persons for their vices, wrongdoings or shortcomings. 

Usually, satire is used to shed more light on significant political or cultural issues within a society. A satire essay is a type of essay that employs devices such as sarcasm, humor and irony to mock a particular person, situation or ideology. Basically, it pokes fun at certain people or situations in an elite and sarcastic manner. 

How to Write a Satire Essay: Writing Tips

Wondering how to write a satire essay? Even though it may seem like a daunting task, writing a satire essay can be a seamless process once you apply the following tips: 

Choose an original and relevant topic

So you need to write a satire essay. The first step to take is to choose your topic. In some cases, your teacher or professor may assign a topic to you, but more often than not, you’d need to come up with a topic of your own. 

In this case, decide the area you want your essay to focus on. You could focus on a political or social situation, depending on what you want. 

However, it is advisable to choose a topic that you’re familiar with. This way, it will be easier to dig up facts and evidence to support your point of view. 

Consider your audience 

Your audience is the focal point of your essay. As such, it’s very important that you consider them at every stage of the writing process. Is your essay aimed at high school students or college professors? 

Would it be read by professionals or just your fellow students? Identifying and considering your audience will help to determine the appropriate tone for your essay. 

If your target audience is mostly made up of fellow students and friends, you can get away with using a casual tone. However, if you expect professionals to read your work, it’s advisable to go for a more formal tone in your essay. 

Add lots of humor 

What makes a satire essay so interesting? Is it the topic or the author’s writing style? Well, the major spice of any satire essay is the generous use of humor. You want to make your audience laugh at the ridiculousness of a particular person or situation. As such, the best way to achieve this aim is by applying devices like irony, sarcasm and hyperbole. 

When used tactfully, these devices can have the desired effect on readers. 

Stick to plain facts

Inasmuch as satirical essays employ devices like humor and exaggeration, it’s important to stick to plain facts when writing your essay. Adding incorrect theories or outright lies to your essay would only render it invalid in the court of public opinion. 

As such, it’s important to only state facts that can be backed up by strong evidence. For further credibility, cite your source after stating figures, theories or opinions. 

This would assure your audience that your essay is credible. If you can’t find facts or evidence to support a particular argument, then it is advisable to avoid including it in your essay. 

Use the ELP format

The ELP format is a great way to ensure that your satire essay is professional and of stellar quality. ELP is an acronym for ethos, logos and pathos. 

These three elements form a significant part of your essay and can either make or mar your work. But how and when do you employ them in your essay?

Ethos informs the readers about the issue at hand and their pre-existing beliefs. As such, this tool should be used in the introductory part of the essay to lay a foundation for the readers. 

Logos provides the audience with pure facts and figures, thereby adding credibility to your work. 

Pathos, just like the term implies, would evoke the appropriate feelings and emotions in your audience. Whether you’re trying to evoke sadness, sympathy or anger, using this tool the right way would help you achieve your aim. 

Be tolerant 

Even though a satire essay is often riddled with sarcasm and irony, it’s important that you use these devices without making any offensive statement. 

Your audience will definitely be made up of people from different walks of life. As such, you don’t want to make remarks that may be deemed to be discriminatory or offensive to a particular sect. 

Knowing the boundary between satire and being outrightly offensive is a delicate art that requires practice and a keen understanding of human psychology. However, to ensure that your essay is in no way offensive, you could ask for second opinions from your colleagues or teacher. 

How to Find Original Topics

With how difficult satire essays are, you’d think no one would be writing them. However, a quick Internet search would show you an abundance of already-written satire essay topics. In fact, choosing a topic that has not already been written by someone else can be a daunting task. 

If you’re trying to find original satire essay ideas or topics, here are a few tips that may help you: 

Find major political or cultural events

If you look around you, you’d definitely find a wide range of interesting political or cultural events that would make for a brilliant topic. Go through published articles, media publications and the news to find resources for your dream topic. 

Brainstorm interesting ideas

Once you’ve gone through the resources listed above, you can then go on to brainstorm any ideas you may have come up with. Ensure that your topic is interesting and witty enough to catch the attention of your readers. 

70 Satire Essay Topics 

Struggling to find original satire essay topics that would interest your audience? Well, here are some sample topics on different subject matters that would definitely inspire you:

• The royal family and Princess Diana: a mystery that never got solved
• What would today’s world look like if the Holocaust had never happened? 
• The best American presidents in history vs Donald Trump: a tale of two worlds 
• How World War II should have turned out
• What was so special about Attila the Hun anyway? 
• More than just his height: a review of Abraham Lincoln’s policies 
• The real truth behind Thanksgiving: why was it created? 
• Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust: a not so shocking tale of his prejudice 
• The never-ending cold war between Catholics and Protestants: how it all started
• Why slave trade should have been abolished before it even started
• Trump: analyzing why political leaders should steer clear of social media 
• Politicians and broken promises: a match made in heaven
• Is political correctness the perfect cure for all modern ailments? 
• The gun-slinging citizen: an analysis of the legalization of guns and fire-arms in the United States 
• Freedom of speech and what happens after you make your speech in today’s world
• How to deal with electoral loss: handy tips from the best losers
• Pro-life VS Pro-Choice: the never ending moral argument between conservatives and liberals 
• How to satisfy the United States’ healthcare needs
• Why the death penalty should have died many centuries ago

Marriage and Family 

• Being a cool parent in today’s world: everything you need to know
• Is married life really overrated? Asking for a single millennial
• The United States’ secret behind its high divorce and separation rates
• The perfect recipe for a peaceful divorce in today’s world 
• Should same-sex marriage be legal in every part of the world? 
• Saving for the kids’ college: the bane of every married couple 
• Big weddings or small weddings? The ultimate introvert-extrovert war
• Trying to have a tight family discussion: a how-to guide
• Should women walk on hot coals barefoot to please their fiancé’s parents? 
• Why the internet is the perfect place to seek relationship advice
• Why true love is as real as Santa Claus and Jack Frost
• All is fair in love and war: is it really? 
• What happens when you fall in love with two different people? 
• Why millenials should normalize leaving first dates immediately it becomes awkward 
• How to start a conversation on a first date without being awkward
• Cohabitation: ten lies you’d find on the internet in today’s world 
• Why dating sites should have existed in the 18th or 19th century 
• Finding love in the 21st century: are dating sites the modern version of arranged marriages? 
• How pickup lines determine the start of a strong modern relationship 
• Should there be an age limit on love between adults? 
• The slow yet sure eradication of chalkboards from modern classrooms
• Why dropping out of school is an under-rated decision for millenials 
• Are good grades a social construct created to frustrate students? 
• Why the social pyramid in high school exists and how to navigate it
• Dealing with bad grades: the ultimate guide to getting over a failed exam
• Should parents panic when their child drops out of school? 
• Why detention is a failed attempt at disciplining high school students 
• Online learning: has the pandemic done anything for school truants? 
• Why bullying and bullies should be eradicated from high school systems
• Should you be a wallflower or social butterfly in high school? 
• How television and social media slaughtered newspapers and buried them
• Does the media truly influence people’s lives and decisions in today’s world? 
• The Media and political leaders: who is a better liar? 
• Fake news: how to squash its occurrence in today’s media 
• Television vs social media: which one played a bigger role in COVID-19 sensitization? 
• Is Facebook a peeping Tom? How social media ruined everyone’s privacy
• Is the free press really free or is it being controlled by puppet strings? 
• Censorship vs free speech: what do millennials really need? 
• Scandals and brand wars: is there anything like bad publicity? 
• Why free publicity never works for brands and modern celebrities 
• How to become a millionaire without robbing a bank or grocery store
• Money can’t buy you happiness: the biggest lie ever told to mankind
• Why being broke can be the ultimate death sentence for anyone
• How to save money without literally starving to death in today’s world
• Why working hard does not necessarily translate to more money for you
• Should billionaires exist? Analyzing Jeff Bezos’ wealth and the plight of Amazon’s workers 
• Why financial books are a complete waste of money and valuable time
• The gender pay gap: how to close it in the 21st century
• Why does money have a therapeutic effect on most people? 
• Analyzing Robinhood’s lifestyle: is it okay to steal from the rich and give to the poor? 

Satire Essay Examples 

Still not sure how to write the perfect satire essay? Well, in this case, you can always refer to a well written satire essay example. Here are some satire essay examples that would definitely set you on the right track:

https://thecampanile.org/2019/10/23/satire-why-climate-change-is-fake/

https://manysmallvoices.wordpress.com/tag/satire/

Write a Satire Essay with HandMadeWriting

With these few tips and examples listed above, you can now go on to draft your very own satire essay. However, if you’d rather not go through the hassles of writing it yourself, you can hire HandMadeWriting essay writer services. 

With us, you are guaranteed a stellar, well-written satire essay that would definitely impress your teacher and audience. 

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How to Write a Satire Essay: Examples, Outline and Topics

Ever wondered how to craft those hilarious yet thought-provoking satire essays that leave readers chuckling and pondering? Well, you've come to the right place!

Have you ever found yourself chuckling at the absurdities of life and thought, 'Hmm, there's definitely an essay in that'? Ever pondered how humor could be used to shed light on societal quirks and injustices? If so, you're already on your way to mastering the art of satire writing.

In this guide, you'll learn the ins and outs of writing satire essay examples. We'll cover everything from choosing the perfect topic to mastering the satire techniques. So, grab your pen, and let's have some fun being funny together.

What is a Satire Essay

A satire essay blends humor with social commentary to critique societal issues, human behavior, or institutions. Unlike traditional essays, it aims to entertain while highlighting life's absurdities.

This genre of writing uses wit, irony, sarcasm, and exaggeration to expose flaws and contradictions in society, targeting politics, popular culture, social norms, and human nature. It also addresses serious topics humorously, sparking conversation, inspiring change, and drawing attention to important social issues.

Satire essays come in various forms, from biting political critique to playful social commentary. Whether it's through clever wordplay, absurd scenarios, or biting satire, the goal of you as an essay writer is to entertain, enlighten, and challenge readers to see the world in a new light.

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Types of a Satire Essay

Learning how to write a satire essay requires you to understand its different forms, each with its own unique style and approach to humorously critiquing society. Whether you ask us to write my essay or tackle it yourself, understanding its different types can help you choose the best format for conveying your message effectively. Here are some common types:

• Juvenalian Satire : This type of satire is harsh, bitter, and angry, focusing on exposing societal injustices, hypocrisy, and corruption.
• Horatian Satire : Named after the Roman poet Horace, this satire is lighthearted, playful, and witty, aiming to amuse while gently poking fun at human folly and societal absurdities.
• Menippean Satire : This satire is complex and unconventional, combining prose, verse, and various literary genres to critique society from multiple angles.
• Political Satire : Political satire humorously highlights the absurdities of politics, aiming to provoke thought and inspire change through parody and humor.
• Social Satire : Social satire critiques broader societal issues and cultural norms, such as relationships, consumerism, and technology, to prompt reflection on societal absurdities.
• Literary Satire : Literary satire uses literary conventions to critique traditions, genres, and authors, often through parody and metafiction.
• Visual Satire : Using images, cartoons, and caricatures, visual satire conveys satirical messages through humor and symbolism, often seen in political cartoons and memes.

25 Satirical Essay Topics

The topic you choose sets the stage for your humor and social commentary. From politics to pop culture, there's no shortage of informative essay topics that are also ripe for satirical critique. Here are 25 distinctive satirical essay ideas to inspire your satire:

• The Absurdity of Celebrity Culture : Explore the obsession with fame and the cult of celebrity.
• The Folly of Fashion Trends : Poke fun at the ever-changing world of fashion and beauty standards.
• The Myth of Perfect Parenting : Satirize the pressure to be a perfect parent in the age of social media.
• The Madness of Modern Technology : Lampoon our addiction to smartphones and social media.
• The Dystopia of Dating Apps : Examine the pitfalls of online dating and hookup culture.
• The Hilarity of Health Trends : Satirize the latest wellness fads and diet crazes.
• The Chaos of College Admissions : Explore the absurdities of the college application process.
• The Paradox of Political Correctness : Critique the complexities of navigating political correctness in today's society.
• The Irony of Environmental Activism : Satirize the contradictions inherent in environmental activism and green living.
• The Comedy of Corporate Culture : Examine the quirks and absurdities of office life and corporate culture.
• The Farce of Fashion Weeks : Lampoon the extravagance and pretentiousness of fashion weeks around the world.
• The Lunacy of Reality TV : Poke fun at the manufactured drama and shallowness of reality television.
• The Nonsense of Self-Help Books : Satirize the industry of self-help books and motivational seminars.
• The Ridiculousness of Social Justice Warriors : Critique the extremes of social justice activism and virtue signaling.
• The Comedy of Conspiracy Theories : Explore the bizarre world of conspiracy theories and their believers.
• The Absurdity of Gender Stereotypes : Satirize traditional gender roles and societal expectations.
• The Hypocrisy of Holistic Healing : Examine the contradictions of alternative medicine and holistic healing practices.
• The Parody of Political Campaigns : Poke fun at the theatrics and absurdities of political campaigns and election cycles.
• The Comedy of Class Reunions : Lampoon the nostalgia and awkwardness of high school reunions.
• The Folly of Fast Food Culture : Satirize the excesses and consequences of fast food consumption.
• The Madness of Memes : Explore the cultural significance and absurdity of internet memes.
• The Farce of Fashion Magazines : Critique the unrealistic beauty standards and consumerism promoted by fashion magazines.
• The Hilarity of Home Renovation Shows : Poke fun at the exaggerated transformations and drama of home renovation reality shows.
• The Paradox of Patriotism : Satirize the contradictions of nationalism and patriotic fervor.
• The Comedy of Cults and Communes : Examine the absurdities of fringe religious movements and utopian communities.

How to Write a Satire Essay: Outline Guide

Creating a solid satirical essay is like serving up a delicious dish of humor with a side of social commentary. But where do you start? How do you take your witty observations and turn them into a compelling satire essay? Fear not! In this section, we'll break down how to write a satire essay outline step by step, starting with crafting the perfect thesis statement.

Start with a Thesis Statement 

Writing a satire essay thesis statement is about encapsulating your satirical take on a particular issue or topic in a clear and concise manner. Your thesis statement should capture the essence of your satire – the target of your humor and the underlying message you're trying to convey.

For example, let's say you want to write a satire essay about the obsession with social media. Your thesis statement might be something like: 'In a world where likes and retweets reign supreme, social media becomes the ultimate stage for showcasing our most curated selves, blurring the lines between reality and virtual validation.'

This thesis statement sets the stage for your satire by highlighting the absurdity of our social media-driven culture and the disconnect between our online personas and real-life experiences. It presents a clear viewpoint that you'll then explore and dissect throughout your essay with humor and wit.

So, next time when crafting your thesis statement or asking us to write my thesis , remember to:

• Identify the specific issue or topic you want to satirize.
• Express your satirical take on the issue in a clear and concise manner.
• Ensure your thesis statement sets the tone for the rest of your essay and guides your readers toward your humorous critique.

Explain Your Idea in the First Body Paragraph

Now that you know how to start a satire essay and lay the foundation with your thesis statement, it's time to dive into the first body paragraph. Begin by expanding on the central idea introduced in your thesis statement. Keep the tone light and playful, but also ensure that your satire is rooted in truth and relevance.

Continuing with our example thesis statement about social media obsession, the first body paragraph might delve into the ways in which social media platforms have become integral parts of our daily lives. You could discuss the addictive nature of scrolling through feeds, the pressure to curate the perfect online persona, and the impact of social media on mental health and self-esteem.

Use descriptive language and vivid imagery to paint a picture of the absurdities inherent in the topic you're exploring. Highlight contradictions, hypocrisies, or ironies that underscore the satirical angle of your essay.

For instance, you might describe the lengths people go to for the perfect selfie or the absurdity of chasing virtual likes and validation. You could share personal anecdotes or humorous observations to bring the topic to life and engage your readers' imaginations.

Add More Layers in the Second Body Paragraph 

Building upon the groundwork laid in the first satire essay paragraph, this section allows you to explore additional facets of the topic and further develop your satirical critique. Start by identifying specific examples, scenarios, or observations that illustrate the absurdities or contradictions inherent in the topic you're satirizing.

Here, you might focus on the ways in which social media distorts our perceptions of reality and fuels a culture of comparison and envy. You could discuss the phenomenon of "FOMO" (fear of missing out) and the pressure to present a flawless image online, even if it's far from authentic.

You might also share stories of people going to extreme lengths to capture the perfect Instagram photo or the impact of cyberbullying and online harassment on mental health.

As you write the second body paragraph, strive to maintain a balance between humor and substance. Use humor to engage your readers and keep them entertained, but also provide meaningful commentary that prompts reflection and critical thinking.

Wrap Up with Impact 

As you wonder how to end a satire essay, remember to summarize the key points you've made about the topic at hand.

For example, in our satire essay about social media obsession, the conclusion might reiterate the pitfalls of seeking validation through likes and retweets, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and genuine human connection in a digital age.

Reflect on the broader implications of the topic you've explored and offer insights or suggestions for addressing the issues raised in your satire. This could involve proposing alternative approaches or solutions in a humorous manner, providing a sense of closure and hope amidst the laughter.

Finally, consider the overall impact of your satire essay and the emotions it evokes in your audience. Did you succeed in entertaining, enlightening, and provoking thought? Did you strike the right balance between humor and substance? Now that you know how to write a conclusion for an essay , reflect on your writing process and consider how you can continue to refine your skills as a satirist.

Handy Tips and Tricks

Before you begin making funny comments about society, let's talk about some easy tips to help you start. Writing a satire essay is all about being funny, using irony, and being a bit smart. If you need some assistance, you can ask us to help me do my essay . But for now, let's take a closer look at how you can improve your skills.

• Pick Your Focus : Satire works best when you make fun of something specific in society that you find funny or annoying.
• Try Different Things : Use different ways to be funny, like making jokes, using irony, or exaggerating things.
• Keep an Eye Out : Pay attention to what's happening around you for ideas. Satire often comes from real-life events or how people act.
• Look at Things Differently : Try writing from different viewpoints, like pretending to be a silly politician or a funny commentator.
• Have Fun : Remember, satire is all about having a good time and making people laugh. So, enjoy yourself and don't take it too seriously.

Satire Essay Examples

Through humor and wit, these satire essay examples offer insightful critiques of their respective subjects, demonstrating effective techniques for crafting satirical commentary.

4 Satire Essay Examples from World Literature

Satire is a popular tool in world literature, where famous writers use humor and irony to poke fun at society and human foolishness. Let's look at some well-known satire essay examples from literature and see how they work:

• 'Gulliver's Travels' by Jonathan Swift : Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels' is a political satire masterpiece. Through Lemuel Gulliver's wild adventures, Swift mocks 18th-century British society and human nature. One famous episode is Gulliver's visit to Lilliput, where tiny inhabitants squabble over silly things like how to crack an egg. Swift uses these absurdities to show the silliness of politics and people.
• 'Don Quixote' by Miguel de Cervantes : Cervantes' 'Don Quixote' pokes fun at chivalric romance. The main character, Don Quixote, is a delusional knight who goes on crazy quests to revive chivalry. Through his funny adventures, Cervantes criticizes the exaggerated ideals of honor and love. The book shows how fantasy can clash with reality in funny ways.
• 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell : Orwell's 'Animal Farm' is a powerful satire on totalitarianism. Animals rebel against humans on a farm, but soon, pigs take over and become dictators. Orwell uses the animals to represent political figures and ideas, showing the hypocrisy of authoritarian rule.
• 'Candide' by Voltaire : Voltaire's 'Candide' is a sharp satire on Enlightenment optimism. The main character, Candide, faces tragic and absurd situations but still believes everything is great. Through Candide's crazy adventures, Voltaire mocks the blind optimism of his time, revealing the harsh truths of human suffering and foolishness.

Final Words

Give yourself a pat on the back – you made it to the end of our writing adventure! With your sense of humor and a fresh understanding of life's funny quirks, you're all set to let your creativity loose on the page.

Just a friendly reminder: Satire isn't just about making jokes – it's a way to start conversations, question the status quo, and maybe even shake things up a bit. So, don't hold back! Try out different styles, go where your imagination takes you, and most importantly, be yourself.

Bored of the Same Old Essays?

Time to shake things up! Inject some humor into your academic life with our side-splitting satire essays.

How to Write a Satirical Essay?

What is a satirical essay, what is a good satire essay topic, related articles.

If there’s any genre of literature designed to make fun of humankind, it’s satire. In both prose and poetry, writers have employed satirical techniques as far back as Ancient Egypt, utilizing the conventions and elements of satire to write about our follies.

Satire writing has become more popular in recent years. This is partially due to the internet: greater access to information has given writers more follies to satirize. It also helps that satirical publications, like The Onion and Reductress , have amplified satires about the modern day.

While headlines like “ Overly Cautious Pregnant Woman Only Going To Ride Roller Coaster 6 Or 7 Times ” seem silly and unsophisticated, there’s actually a fine art to satire that many readers and writers overlook. This article covers the basics of how to write satire: the different types of satire, the various elements of satire, and different satirical techniques essential to the form. Along the way, we’ll analyze those elements and techniques through some satire examples.

But first, what is satire? It’s important to understand both what it is and what it isn’t . Let’s define satire accordingly.

Satire Definition: What is Satire?

Satire is the art of mocking human follies or vices, with the intent of correcting or criticizing those shortcomings of human nature. It is, quite simply, a tasteful means of ridiculing human behaviors, institutions, and politics.

Satire definition: the art of mocking human follies or vices, with the intent of correcting or criticizing those shortcomings of human nature.

Now, satire isn’t just senseless ribbing. Writing about something with sarcasm, irony, or condescension doesn’t make something satirical. Nor does it count if you simply make fun of something: an essay that laughs at arson victims, for example, would just be cruelty.

Rather, satire must criticize a specific action, belief, or institution. It must poke holes in the logic of those actions, beliefs, or institutions, without ever explicitly stating the humor. Finally, it must showcase this flawed logic with the intent of creating awareness and inciting change.

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Let’s use an Onion article as an example. Read this brief story: “Mark Zuckerberg Asks Hawaiian Neighbor To Cut Down Unsightly, Overgrown Rainforest”

The title alone makes for a great bit of satire, but let’s break down what the article is doing.

• Realistic fiction: For starters, this never happened—but it sounds like something that would.
• Ironic use of “lack of respect”:   Zuckerberg finds the forest’s presence to be disrespectful, though his request to disrupt the natural land is far more disrespectful.
• Hyperbolic language: Phrases like “unkempt biome” and “obnoxious waterfall” are hyperbolic and unusual, signifying the comedy of the article.
• Scornful Tone: The writer of the article clearly expresses a scornful, satirical tone.
• Subtlety: The article never says “Mark Zuckerberg is a bad person.” But it does quote him as calling native Hawaiians “disgusting nuisances,” using a word play device called “paraprosdokian.”
• Logical extremes: The idea behind this article is that a billionaire is making unreasonable, hurtful demands to satisfy his own comforts. This article takes that idea to a logical extreme.
• Juxtaposition of incongruous features: There’s no HOA for Hawaiian rainforests. The inclusion of this detail satirizes the bureaucracy that wealthy people use to their advantage: if there was a rainforest HOA, it would certainly come to Zuckerberg’s benefit.

We’ll examine these elements of satire more closely in a moment. For now, take note that all of these elements—irony, juxtaposition, hyperbole, etc.—are working together in this short but highly effective article.

Elements of Satire

Whether you’re writing Juvenalian satire or Horatian satire (terms we’ll define in a bit), the following elements are useful to writing satirical works. You’ll notice some of these elements working in both the above article and the satire examples we include later on.

• Realism: A work of satire must sound like it could actually happen in the real world. Now, this isn’t always easy, especially if your essay is about a politician condoning the consumption of newborns. What’s important is that satire does not draw attention to its own farce . The story must ostensibly treat its subject matter seriously, even when it uses literary devices in jest.
• Irony :  Irony is when the opposite of what’s expected actually occurs. It is a contrast between “what seems to be” and “what is,” surprising and provoking the reader. Irony is pivotal to satire, as it allows the story to seem realistic while being hyperbolic, while also amusing the reader or challenging a certain assumption the reader has made.
• Hyperbole: Hyperbole is language that is incommensurate with the thing being described. For example, let’s say you walk outside on a hot July day, and you say “it’s a million degrees outside!” Hyperbolic language often makes for great satire writing. Note that “understatement” is an effective form of hyperbole as well.
• Tone: Tone refers to the author’s attitude towards a certain topic. Because the intent of satire is to criticize or make fun of something, the tone of a satire piece might be ironic, sarcastic, mocking, critical, or simply satirical.
• Subtlety: Satire writers need to strike a fine balance between realism and absurdism. The story should seem possible in the real world, but it should also lean into comedy and farce without explicitly stating the thing that’s being satirized .
• Logical Extremes: A logical extreme is when an idea or argument is amplified to a hyperbolic, but still possible, conclusion. Let’s take the argument “Cats are evil.” A logical extreme of this would be “ Kitten Thinks Of Nothing But Murder All Day .”
• Juxtaposition of Incongruous Features: Juxtaposition refers to the close placement of two related objects in text. In satire, writers will juxtapose incongruous features—items which don’t belong next to each other, but are written about as though they do. An example of this would be “ Geologists Find Historical Record of Last 3 Million Years in Woman’s Makeup Brushes .”

It is important to recognize that satire is all about imitation . The story seems like something that could or has happened in the real world, with only slight adjustments to make the story farcical or hyperbolic. These changes—these juxtapositions, hyperboles, and logical extremes—amount to a subtle, yet evocative, critique of the satire’s subject.

Works of imitation are often satire. Parody, for example, is a satirical imitation of another work of art, literature, or media. Similar to parody is the burlesque, which treats a serious work of art as something caricatured and risible. Slapstick, finally, can be satirical, especially when the characters of a slapstick comedy are public figures that the author views as unintelligent.

Pay attention to these elements at play in the satire examples we share throughout this article.

Satire vs. Parody

Because works of parody are intended to mock, riff, or imitate other works of art, parody is often confused with satire. Although parody can produce satire, there are a few key differences between the two.

Parody is always the comical imitation of a certain style or genre. One example of this is Don Quixote, a novel which parodies the romance novels of 17th century Spain. Another example is Candide . Candide is ostensibly a work of satire, but it uses parodies of the romance and adventure novel—for example, the picaresque and the bildungsroman—to construct this satire.

In media, parody is a huge aspect of Saturday Night Live skits. 1-800-Flowers , for example, is a parody of flower commercials on television.

Satire is much more complex than parody.

Satire is much more complex than parody: for one, it is much subtler than the parody, and for another, it specifically criticizes an idea, argument, or person. Parodies can make fun of certain styles or conventions without attacking a particular person or idea—though a parody can also be critical.

In short, parody is a work of imitative art that can stand on its own, or it can contribute to the development of a work of satire, but it is not the same as satire itself.

Satire vs. Sarcasm

A similar dilemma emerges with satire vs. sarcasm: they seem the same, but one is actually an element of the other.

Sarcasm is the use of ironic language to poke fun at another person’s faults. It is verbal irony with the intent of making fun. Let’s say you drop your phone and the screen cracks. Your sarcastic friend (or enemy!) might say “That was so graceful,” implying that what you did was the opposite of graceful.

Sarcasm, thus, is one of the elements of satire. A work of satire might have a sarcastic tone, employ sarcastic description, or rely heavily on inverted language.

People often employ the adjectives “satirical” and “sarcastic” as if they’re synonyms. They are, but they mean slightly different things. “Sarcastic” means “using wit and irony to hurt someone,” whereas “satirical” means “using wit and irony to expose or criticize human folly.”

Satire in Poems

Although most satire examples you’ll find are works of prose, you can also find satire in poems. Satirical poetry relies on the same techniques as works of prose do, but because the poem is constrained by poetry form , the poet must be much more discerning about which elements of satire to include in the poem.

Classical poets such as Dryden, Swift, and Shelley employed satire in poems, but let’s look at an example from the modern day: Read “Thank You For Waiting” by Simon Armitage .

The satire is readily apparent in this poem. The format riffs off of the language that airlines use to board their passengers. By taking this language to its logical extreme, the poem effectively satirizes the artificial class divisions perpetuated by airlines, corporations, and other wealthy, capitalist institutions.

What are the two types of satire?

What are the two types of satire? Literary theorists organize works of satire into two categories: Horatian and Juvenalian. These categories come from the names Horace and Juvenal, two poets of Ancient Rome.

Horatian satire is a typically lighthearted work that pokes fun at mankind’s follies. It is not caustic or overly critical. Rather, it laughs at the failings of mankind with a certain amount of sympathy, telling the truth about our imperfections with a smile.

By contrast, Juvenalian satire is much angrier, and is written with the intent of criticizing and condemning a certain person or institution that the satirist views as evil. These pieces of satire usually confront social and political issues.

There exists a third and less frequently discussed form of satire called the Menippean satire. This type satirizes certain ways of thinking, rather than particular individuals or groups. It tends to be a novel-length work that focuses on societal norms, often including philosophical discussions. Named after an Ancient Greek satirist, a contemporary Menippean satire might poke fun at, for example, altered states of consciousness ( Alice in Wonderland ).

The Menippean satire has its own history and genre conventions which are beyond the scope of this article. To learn more about those conventions, start here .

In the meantime, let’s look at some Horatian satire examples and Juvenalian satire examples.

Horatian Satire Examples

The Horatian satire is the most lighthearted form of satire. As such, these works of literature and journalism are intended to make you laugh—but that doesn’t mean a Horatian satire cannot also be thought-provoking.

Here are a few examples from literature:

1. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift

Gulliver’s Travels is a novel that satirizes the “travelers’ tale,” a subgenre of literature that was especially popular during the ages of exploration. In the novel, Lemuel Gulliver’s travels take him to a land of tiny people (Lilliput), a land of giants (Brobdingnag), a floating island of the arts (Laputa), and a land of talking horses (the Houyhnhnms).

Throughout these travels, Gulliver often compares the societies and governments of the people he meets with that of 18th century Europe. Each land has its own problems, taken to logical extremes. The Houyhnhnms, for example, are honest and upright people who don’t have a word for lying. (Their name is an onomatopoeia for the sounds horses make.) Yet, they’re happy to suppress Gulliver’s status as an outsider to the local humans (the Yahoos), indicating that they believe silence is better than lying.

Additionally, the character Gulliver is rather easily misled and rarely employs critical thinking. As a result, his outlook on humanity becomes more and more depressing as the story progresses, because he becomes aware of the flaws in each of these societies and comes to believe that all men are the same, rather than recognizing the nuances in human civilization and psychology.

As a result, each element of the story is carefully crafted satire. It’s Horatian satire because many of the situations are intended to make readers laugh, such as the Brobdingnag giants crafting a tiny house that they can carry Gulliver around in. Nonetheless, the novel prompts readers to examine the ways they react to different cultures and lived experiences, as well as coming to terms with the fact that there is no ideal government.

2. The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales is noteworthy for a number of reasons, namely that it popularized the use of English vernacular in literature (when, previously, English was seen as a commoner’s language, and literature was written in Latin or French). Partially written in prose and partially written in verse, The Canterbury Tales provides an interesting window into culture and society during the turn of the 15th century.

It is also, when closely examined, a work of satire on the peoples of England.

The Canterbury Tales revolves around a group of pilgrims regaling each other with stories of their lived experiences. Those experiences range widely: characters include a friar, a knight, two nuns, a shipman, a physician, a cook, a pardoner, and many more. Each person’s tale is inevitably informed by their class and social standing. As a result, their stories end up being satires on the lived experiences they represent and, more broadly, satirize elements of medieval society as a whole.

For example, the Nun’s Tale satirizes “courtly love,” a literary genre (and true-to-life representation) of what relationships looked like among the ruling elite. The Nun’s Tale takes place in a barnyard, not in the high courts, which makes a mockery of the acts of chivalry described by the Nun.

The 15th century was a time of great social upheaval for Europe, particularly England, where the emergence of a merchant class and a (non-religious) intellectual class spawned new ideas about the structure of society. The Canterbury Tales capitalizes on these changes by satirizing the societies and psychologies of people in each class.

3. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court is most frequently heralded as one of the first time travel novels. Apart from this, it is also a hilarious Horatian satire on the values of medieval Feudalism.

In the novel, Hank Morgan, an engineer from Connecticut, inadvertently travels to 6th century England after being struck in the head. Hank convinces the people of his “magical powers” by telling them about the future. Doing this, he gains power in King Arthur’s course and tries to bring modernity to the 500s. This results in a satire of the values and institutions in both medieval society and 19th century America.

For example, Merlin creates a veil of invisibility, which Sir Sagramor wears in a duel against Hank. Hank pretends that he can’t actually see Sir Sagramor, satirizing the superstitions about magic, as well as the institution of chivalry, prominent in medieval England.

Through the juxtaposition of incongruous societies, Mark Twain pokes fun at human society 1300 years before Twain’s time, while also demonstrating parallels between people then and now.

For contemporary satirical journalism, The Onion and Reductress are both generally examples of Horatian satire, though both are occasionally Juvenalian.

Juvenalian Satire Examples

While Juvenalian satire can certainly make readers laugh, the intent is to ridicule the actions and philosophies of certain societies and institutions. As such, the following Juvenalian satire examples often bear resemblance to the politics of their times, taking political philosophies to their logical extremes.

1. “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift

“A Modest Proposal” is quintessential Juvenalian satire. Written in 1729, the essay satirizes British policy concerning Ireland, as Britain’s occupation of the Irish state routinely caused famine and strife. The essay was originally published under the title “A Modest Proposal For Preventing the Children of Poor People From Being a Burthen to Their Parents or Country, and For Making Them Beneficial to the Publick.”

The essay’s satire is effective precisely because of its shock value. Swift first describes the plight of Ireland, particularly the suffering of its many beggars and hungry citizens. Then, without warning, Swift’s essay pivots to the nutritional value of eating 1 year old babies (a juxtaposition of incongruous features, and an argument taken to its logical extreme).

Much of the essay is then devoted to the logic behind eating infants: the many ways they can be cooked, the financial benefits, and how it will resolve other issues like murder and taxation. The essay amounts to an argument that is almost convincing. If the reader doesn’t think about the morality of eating children, the satire is almost actually effective in proposing that the consumption of infants is pragmatic policymaking.

Nonetheless, the reader comes to sympathize with the Irish and hate the narrator of the essay, effectively undermining the policymaking decisions of 18th century Britain. Because this essay is criticizing British policymakers and their treatment of the Irish people, there is no doubt that the caustic tone of this piece makes it Juvenalian satire.

You can read “A Modest Proposal” for yourself at Project Gutenberg .

2. Animal Farm by George Orwell

Animal Farm is a Juvenalian satire that retells the establishment of the Soviet Union with farm animals in place of political leaders. As such, it adapts the form of the fable into a satirical novella about Trotsky, Lenin, Stalin, and the dramas that unfolded with the overthrow of the Russian monarchy.

Animal Farm begins on an old, dilapidated farm, run by the careless taker Mr. Jones, who represents the monarchy. The pigs band together around the wisdom of Old Major, an elderly pig who represents Lenin, as well as Karl Marx and his teachings. Inspired by the prospect of freedom from Mr. Jones, the animals revolt and claim the farm for themselves.

Much like the beginnings of the Soviet Union, the newly run Animal Farm begins in prosperity. The animals work to modernize the farm and make it self-sustaining, able to nurture all of the animals equally.

Before long, however, some of the farm’s leaders begin to grapple for power. Snowball, who represents Trotsky, tries to maintain the ideals of equality and progress espoused by Old Major (a philosophy called Animalism in the book). Napoleon, who represents Stalin, wants to seize power for himself. To do this, he uses a pig called Squealer, who represents Molotov, the Soviet Union’s head of propaganda. Squealer convinces the farm animals that Snowball is conspiring against the farm, even though it’s really Napoleon who’s conspiring.

The novella then follows how Napoleon abuses the language of progress to satisfy his own needs, hoarding wealth from the farm animals he claims to represent.

What makes this a work of Juvenalian satire? For one, it’s no subtle insult that the leaders of the Soviet Union are represented by pigs. But the work’s satire comes from its farcical resemblance to Europe’s political situation in the first half of the 20th century. Orwell takes Soviet propaganda to its logical extreme, showing how easy it is to manipulate an entire farm (or country!) through the manipulation of words and ideas.

3. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Another work of mid-century satire, Brave New World satirizes the ideal utopian society, presenting a world in which everyone is happy and nothing has meaning. In the novel, people are artificially manufactured and born into a certain social class, based on the intelligence and strength they are bestowed upon their manufacturing.

The novel primarily follows Bernard Marx, a high class citizen who starts to question the social structures of the utopia. The society functions in large part due to Soma, a drug that manufactures happiness and is frequently taken by all citizens of the world. Soma allows people to be satisfied with their place in society, so nobody questions the flaws in this apparent utopia—except for Bernard, who doesn’t consume the drug, as well as Bernard’s friend Helmholtz, a writer who struggles to write when he can’t experience his own suffering.

The novel follows Bernard’s reckoning with society, including his witnessing the lives of Native Americans who don’t live in the modern world, and what happens when those Native Americans, who don’t live a manufactured life, find themselves in the manufactured realities of the “utopia.”

What makes this a piece of satire is the extension of social ideals to their logical extremes. For example, the people in Brave New World are sexually liberated, in part because the society has controlled for the possibilities of pregnancy and STIs. When John, a Native, falls in love with Lenina Crowne, he ends up committing suicide because he can’t support her sexual freedom, suggesting there’s a certain loss of humanity that comes from this liberation.

Another example is a satire of contemporary media. Before John commits suicide, he exiles himself to a lighthouse, where he self-flagellates in the hopes of purifying himself of modern civilization. What he doesn’t know is that he is secretly being filmed. When that film is released, all of society zeroes in on John and his strange behavior. This spectacle resembles, in large part, our contemporary lust for information, to the point that we invade each others’ privacy. Huxley wrote this novel far before the advent of social media, but now that we’re constantly filming each other for fame and spectacle, how far off was he?

How to Write Satire

How did the great satirists of history pull off such effective works of literature? In addition to having savage wits and keen eyes for politics, satire writers followed a few strict rules. Here’s how to write a satire in 5 steps.

1. How to Write Satire: Familiarize yourself with satirical techniques

Satire is a difficult genre to pick up, which makes it essential to read like a writer . Read the satire examples we included in this article, and analyze how the following satirical techniques are employed:

• Logical Extremes
• Juxtaposition of Incongruous Features

These elements of satire, when employed strategically, combine to make effective, poignant, and gut-busting stories.

2. How to Write Satire: Begin with a topic or issue you’d like to satirize

Satire can criticize both local issues and global ones. The Canterbury Tales satirizes the stories and personalities prominent in medieval England; conversely, Brave New World criticizes the Western view of utopia and the direction of global society.

Regardless of what issue you choose, do your research. It’s important to understand the arguments for and against a certain issue, and the logic and reasoning behind those arguments. That way, you can take those arguments to their logical extremes, undermining the rhetorical strategies used in favor of the issue you’re against.

For example, let’s say you wanted to write a piece of satire on removing the penny from U.S. circulation. An argument in favor of this is that it could curb inflation. You could then take this argument to its logical extreme. Imagine a country in which we made every coin out of pure gold, and everyone starts fighting with each other for change? Or, imagine a country in which the lowest monetary denomination is the $10 bill, and, again, everyone starts fighting with each other for change?

3. How to Write Satire: Build a narrative

Once you have a topic and a stance on that topic, build a story around the argument you’re trying to undermine.

This is where the art of storytelling , and elements like character, plot, and setting, can prove extremely useful. For example, read this brief Horatian satire from The Onion: ‘ This City. These People. All Sheep, And I Am Their Shepherd,’ Says Eric Adams, Looking Out Over New York .”

NEW YORK—Clasping his hands behind his back and looking out over Manhattan’s iconic skyline, New York mayor Eric Adams was reported to have said, “This city. These people. All sheep, and I am their shepherd,” as he launched into a monologue Wednesday. “I and I alone am the line between order and chaos, guiding toward the light these confused, woeful masses who wander in darkness,” said Adams, who reportedly cast his gaze on the citizens below and contemplated how fortunate they were to have a place in the palm of his merciful hand. “Without me, without my power and my will, each of these 8 million souls would be condemned to a wretched life and death amidst a twisted, seething cesspool of humanity. As they cling to a crumbling precipice, they reach out, in their desperation, to the one man whose whims control their destiny: to me, to their protector, to New York’s greatest benefactor, to Eric Adams!” At press time, sources reported Adam had retired for the night to his apartment in New Jersey.

If you know anything about New Yorkers, you know we always hate the mayor. Let’s deconstruct what this piece is doing:

The issue: At the time of this article’s publication, Adams has been NYC mayor for just over 4 months. In that time, he’s had a formidable media presence, but he often sounds a bit self-aggrandizing when he talks about the city and the role he’s going to play in running it. In a recent video message, he’s quoted saying “I will not stop until the peace we deserve becomes the reality we experience.” The issue is that the mayor might be all words, no action—especially when those words are already overwrought.

The satire : This article amps up the melodrama, taking Adams’ speech to a logical extreme. The parody of his melodrama builds Adams up to be a god-like figure, as he is the difference between “order and chaos,” between “life and death.” He is even “the one man whose whims control [New York City’s] destiny.”

The storytelling: This article makes a sort of caricature of Adams. A caricature is a type of characterization in which the character is one dimensional and distorted for the audience’s pleasure. The story, here, is that Adams went off on a monologue before retiring to his non-NYC apartment, making the story’s structure a satire for his administration: all talk, no action.

4. How to Write Satire: Surprise the reader

All works of satire have an element of surprise. The reader shouldn’t be able to expect where the story goes, otherwise it’s not doing a good job of delighting and provoking the reader. As such, your satire should have a twist, even if that twist doesn’t occur until the final sentence.

Pay attention to the twists in the above satire examples. In “A Modest Proposal,” the twist is the proposal itself: that the solution to Ireland’s poverty is to cook and consume 1 year olds. In The Onion article about Eric Adams, the twist is that he goes home to New Jersey.

The twist should both surprise the reader and advance a certain satirical argument. Whatever you do, be clear about what you’re mocking and criticizing, because this will inform what your twist is and help you stick the landing.

5. How to Write Satire: Edit for clarity and laughs

Can you make your story more ironic, hyperbolic, or realistic? Are you juxtaposing unalike items in clever ways? Is it clear who or what your satire is criticizing? Ask yourself these questions as you edit your piece: the goal is to distort reality just enough that the reader knows this is satire, but to still be hyperbolic and ironic, even if the work is more Juvenalian than Horatian.

Learn How to Write Satire at Writers.com

Ready to laugh at the world? The instructors at Writers.com are eager to help you polish your works of satire. Take a look at our upcoming writing courses , and write satirical stories and books alongside our award-winning instructors .

Sean Glatch

Excellent presentation, Sean. It gave me some structural ideas for a collection of poems and epistles in the vein of Horace and Juvenal. I’ve previously published a parody of Voltaire’s Candide. My story is called: The Alchemy of Happiness. ( which is the title of a book by a Muslim scholar from the 10th century.

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Crafting Wit and Wisdom: A Guide to Satire Essay, Topics and Examples

Table of contents

• 1 Definition of satire and its historical background
• 2 Elements of a Satirical Essay
• 3 Choosing a Topic
• 4 Analyzing the Subject Matter for Potential Angles of Satire
• 5 Writing the Essay
• 6 What is a Satirical Essay: Examples of Satirical Essays
• 7 Fine Line Between Satire and Offensiveness
• 8 Concluding Thoughts: The Art of Writing the Satire Essay

In this insightful article, we delve into the realm of satire essays, a unique form of writing that blends criticism with humor.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Unveiling the essence of satire essay, its history, and types like Horatian and Juvenalian.
• Exploring the vital elements of a satirical essay, emphasizing a robust thesis, and the use of irony and sarcasm.
• Navigating the process of choosing engaging topics, including 50 hand-picked suggestions.
• Detailed guidance on structuring your satirical essay for maximum impact.
• Learning from examples of renowned satirical essays.
• Understanding the delicate balance between satire and sensitivity.

Join us as we explore these facets of satire essay writing, equipping you with the knowledge to create compelling, thought-provoking academic essays .

Definition of satire and its historical background

Satire, a literary genre known for its clever blend of humor and critique, has a rich history and diverse forms. Originating in ancient times, satire has been used to expose follies and vices in society, individuals, and institutions. The two main types of satire are Horatian and Juvenalian. Horatian satire, named after the Roman poet Horace, is characterized by a light-hearted and humorous tone, aiming more to amuse than to condemn. In contrast, Juvenalian satire, inspired by the Roman poet Juvenal, is more severe and abrasive, often expressing indignation and moral outrage.

The role of humor, irony, and exaggeration in satire cannot be overstated. These elements are tools for satirists to entertain, provoke thought, and challenge the status quo. For instance, exaggeration can highlight the absurdity of a situation, while irony can reveal contradictions and hypocrisies.

When considering topics for satire, it’s important to choose ones that resonate with the audience and remain relevant. Satire essay topics can range from light-hearted social commentary to more biting political criticism. The key is to select a subject that offers ample scope for humor and insightful critique. A satirical essay becomes an impactful tool for social commentary and change by selecting and handling these topics.

Elements of a Satirical Essay

A satirical essay is a unique fusion of humor and criticism woven to convey a thought-provoking message. Central to its success is a robust, clear thesis statement. This serves as the essay’s cornerstone, encapsulating the satirical argument. The thesis should be forthright and reflect the writer’s stance on the subject matter, whether it’s tinged with mockery, a critical edge, or a humorous slant.

The employment of rhetorical devices like irony, sarcasm, and parody is integral to the essence of a satirical essay. Irony stands out as a potent tool. It enables writers to express one thing while implying something else, often the opposite. This juxtaposition of the literal and the intended meaning adds layers to the satire, enriching its impact. Sarcasm, a variant of verbal irony, is adept at mocking or expressing disdain. On the other hand, parody involves imitating a subject or style to expose its flaws and absurdities.

A satirical essay is a clever blend of humor and critique, anchored by a clear, strong thesis and brought to life with the strategic use of rhetorical devices like irony, sarcasm, and parody. The choice of topic is crucial, as it needs to lend itself to satirical treatment, allowing the writer to lampoon the subject while engaging and enlightening the reader.

Choosing a Topic

The best topics for a satirical essay are those that resonate with your audience and remain relevant over time. Current events, social behaviors, and cultural phenomena are fertile grounds for satire. While choosing, consider what things to write a satire about that would engage and provoke thought in your readers. The effectiveness of your satire will depend on the relevance and universality of the topic selected.

When considering satire ideas, the topics should be chosen for their potential to be viewed through a satirical lens. This could involve turning a critical eye on societal norms, political policies, or even everyday absurdities. Funny satire topics revolve around current events, popular culture, or universal human behaviors, offering a wealth of material for insightful yet humorous critique.

Satirical essay ideas should aim to entertain, provoke thought, and encourage reflection. Topics to satirize can range from the mundane to the controversial, each offering a unique opportunity to highlight inconsistencies, hypocrisies, or the humorous side of life.

Here are some current and timeless topics that work well for satirical essays.

• The Perpetual Pursuit of the Perfect Body Image
• The Digital Detox: Escaping Social Media’s Grip
• The Billionaire Space Race: A New Playground for the Rich
• Fast Fashion Frenzy: The Race to the Bottom of Your Closet
• The Automation of Everything: When Robots Take Over Daily Tasks
• The Evolution of the Coffee Culture: From Bean to Obsession
• The “Influencer” Lifestyle: Reality vs. Instagram
• The Political Tug-of-War: A Satirical Look at Partisan Politics
• The Self-Help Paradox: More Books, Less Clarity
• The Tech Disconnect: Smartphones and the Illusion of Connection
• The Art of Procrastination in the Digital Age
• The College Admissions Arms Race: A Game of Prestige and Pressure
• The Corporate Buzzword Bingo: Synergy, Leverage, and Disruption
• The Quest for Immortality: Silicon Valley and the Fountain of Youth
• The Satire of Surveillance: Living in a Panopticon
• The Cult of Productivity: Doing More, Enjoying Less
• The Modern Dating Scene: Swiping Left on Romance
• The Vegan Revolution: Meatless Mondays and Beyond
• The Age of Misinformation: Navigating a Post-Truth World
• The Gig Economy Grind: Freedom or Freelance Frenzy?
• The Generation Gap: Baby Boomers vs. Millennials vs. Gen Z
• The Reality TV Paradox: Fame, Fortune, and Fabrication
• The Luxury of Minimalism: Spending More to Have Less
• The Endless Streaming Cycle: From Binge-Watching to Burnout
• The Battle Against Aging: Creams, Serums, and Unrealistic Expectations
• The Festival of Fads: Detoxes, Cleanses, and Other Health Mysteries
• The Tyranny of the Tidy: Marie Kondo and the Quest to Declutter
• The Irony of Connectivity: Lonelier in a More Connected World
• The Mirage of the “Perfect” Family on Social Media
• The Paradox of Choice in the Modern Consumer Society
• The DIY Disaster: When Pinterest Dreams Face Reality
• The Pursuit of Happiness Through Retail Therapy
• The Sacred Rituals of the Morning Routine YouTube Gurus
• The Mock Election: Satirizing Political Campaign Promises
• The Superhero Syndrome: The Oversaturation of Comic Book Movies
• The Great Organic Odyssey: Is It Really Better?
• The Exotic Pet Epidemic: From Tigers to Tarantulas
• The High Seas of Hobby Collecting: From Stamps to Sneakers
• The Dystopia of Driverless Cars: Are We There Yet?
• The Parable of the Paperless Office: More Paper Than Ever

Analyzing the Subject Matter for Potential Angles of Satire

Once you’ve selected a topic, the next step is to analyze it for satirical potential. Begin by identifying the subject’s inherent absurdities, hypocrisies, or contradictions. This critical examination allows you to uncover potential angles for satirical commentary. For example, in political satire, you might focus on discrepancies between a politician’s words and actions. In cultural satire, you could highlight the extremes of societal trends. This stage is vital as it sets the foundation for your satirical approach, shaping the direction and tone of your essay.

Remember, the goal is to provoke thought and discussion by presenting familiar issues in a new, humorous light. Your analysis should strike a balance between humor and insight, ensuring that your satire resonates with the audience while offering a fresh perspective on the topic.

Writing the Essay

Writing a satirical essay involves a strategic combination of humor, criticism, and a well-structured satirical essay outline . Begin with an engaging introduction that captures the essence of your satire. This could include an anecdote, a surprising fact, or a bold statement setting your essay’s tone. The introduction should culminate in a clear, concise thesis statement that encapsulates your satirical stance.

As you move into the body of your essay, each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect or example of your topic. This is where you can showcase different types of satire, such as irony, exaggeration, or parody, to strengthen your argument. Use vivid and descriptive language to paint a clear picture for your readers. Incorporating real-life examples or referencing satirical essay examples can illustrate your points. Balancing humor with factual information is important, ensuring your essay is entertaining and informative.

Consider using various rhetorical strategies to enhance your satire when developing your argument. Techniques like hyperbole can exaggerate your topic’s absurdities, while irony can highlight contradictions and inconsistencies. Sarcasm can add a sharp edge to your critique. Remember, the goal is to provoke thought and encourage a deeper understanding of the subject matter through humor.

In the concluding paragraph, summarize the main points of your essay, reinforcing your satirical message. The conclusion should echo your thesis and leave a lasting impression on the reader. A well-crafted conclusion will tie all your ideas together, emphasizing the significance of your satire and its impact on the reader’s perception of the topic.

Throughout your essay, maintain a consistent tone and style. The best satire essays are those that blend wit with wisdom, using humor as a tool to shed light on serious topics.

What is a Satirical Essay: Examples of Satirical Essays

The satirical essay genre blends humor with incisive social commentary. This essay leverages wit to critique everything from political policies to societal norms, often revealing underlying truths in an entertaining and thought-provoking way.

A classic satire essay example is Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal ,” a pinnacle of Juvenalian satire. Swift’s essay, known for its biting and ironic tone, suggests that the impoverished Irish could alleviate their financial woes by selling their children as delicacies to the wealthy. This preposterous idea is not a whimsical musing but a sharp indictment of the brutal British policies towards the Irish and a comment on the apathy of the Irish people to their own plight.

This essay is a prime illustration of how to start a satire essay. Swift adopts a grave and sincere tone to advance an absurd proposition. This stark contrast between his tone and the ludicrousness of his proposal accentuates the absurdity of the situation he critiques. This strategic use of irony, where the true intent is veiled behind an opposite statement, is common in satirical essays. It allows writers to deliver powerful critiques in an engaging and impactful manner.

Another form of satire is Horatian satire, deriving its name from the Roman poet Horace. This type of satire differs from the abrasive Juvenalian style. A more playful, lighthearted approach characterizes Horatian satire. It tends to poke fun at human foibles and follies without aiming to cause distress or provoke significant change. It’s a more subdued and humorous satire, intending more to amuse than agitate.

For authors drafting a satirical essay, the choice of satire type is vital. It should align with both the subject matter and the intended message.

By analyzing seminal works like Swift’s “A Modest Proposal,” writers can learn to employ satire, creating works that are not just humorous but also insightful and thought-provoking. Effective satire has the power to be an influential tool for social commentary and change, making it a valuable and enduring form of literary expression.

Fine Line Between Satire and Offensiveness

Navigating the delicate boundary separating satire from offensiveness is paramount. While satire wields the potential for profound impact, it teeters on the edge of insensitivity. Responsible satirists know their audience and the broader context, ensuring their work critiques without inflicting harm. When addressing sensitive subjects, a delicate equilibrium is required. Satire becomes a tool for enlightenment rather than alienation or offense, using humor to shed light on societal issues without causing undue distress.

Concluding Thoughts: The Art of Writing the Satire Essay

In summary, the art of satire is a powerful yet intricate tool, merging humor with sharp social observation. Its core objective is to question established norms and provoke self-reflection. To write an effective satire essay, one must balance insightful critique with an approach that avoids offending. This genre requires a delicate touch, using wit and irony to make a point. An essential aspect of crafting a satirical piece involves creating a well-structured outline that supports the satirical thesis while engaging the reader. The creators and consumers of satire need to appreciate its significant potential to influence and its inherent responsibility towards society. Satire is not a literary device but a call to use its capabilities with wisdom and consideration.

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What is Satire? Examples, Definition, and How to Write Satire

by Fija Callaghan

You’ve probably come across satire in your daily life without even realizing it. From contemporary pop culture platforms like Saturday Night Live to the hand-drawn caricatures artists use to pull in the tourists, satire is everywhere.

But what does satire mean, exactly, and where does it come from? Can it ever be useful to us as poets and fiction writers? Keep reading for everything you need to know about this contentious literary device.

What is satire?

Satire is a literary genre which uses a fictitious lens to ridicule or draw attention to real-world failings, especially societal or political issues. Satirical stories often use elements like irony, hyperbole, and juxtaposition to show the reader the innate silliness or degradation in a person, group of people, or societal value.

For example, if you want to take a stand against a corrupt and dangerous political party, you could write a story about a ridiculous and lecherous king who inadvertently drives his kingdom into poverty. Or, if you want to draw attention to the arbitrariness of racial segregation, you could write a satire about a society in which people are judged by whether they were born at an even-numbered hour or an odd one.

By taking an element of the world around you that you disagree with and amplifying it, you can convey a real and powerful social commentary to your readers.

What’s the difference between satire and parody?

Satire and parody have a lot in common, and it’s easy to get them confused. Sometimes, they even overlap. The main difference between satire and parody is the message they’re trying to convey to their audience.

A parody emulates another work or body of work using exaggeration and humor. The purpose of a parody is to entertain. For example, Scary Movie is a parody of the horror movie genre, and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a parody of Jane Austen’s famous novel. Rather than relying on deep, thought-provoking themes, these parodies use comedy to create a fun reading or viewing experience.

A satire, on the other hand, is a form of social criticism. While it often uses humor (though not always—we’ll look at the different types of satire below), its purpose is to make the audience think about a social issue in a new way or draw attention to aspects of these issues that have been problematic.

For instance, a satire of the horror movie genre would probably be less funny and more focused on asking questions about why people are drawn to body horror, or why certain tropes so often feature minority identities. In other words, satire is meant to get people thinking critically about human nature. And Pride and Prejudice is already a satire! It uses humor to poke fun at the constricting marriage conventions and social politics of the time.

Types of satire in literature

We tend to think of satire as one literary genre, but did you know there are actually a few different kinds? Here’s a closer look at the different types of satire you’ll find across history.

Horatian satire

Horatian satire, popularized by the Roman poet Horace, is a lighthearted and comic way of poking fun at the foibles of human nature. While this type of satire encourages its audience to examine their own errors of judgement and grow, the social criticism tends to be on a more personal level—Horatian satire isn’t trying to bring about a widespread cultural change.

Contemporary examples of Horatian satire are tongue-in-cheek news platforms like The Onion or The Colbert Report . Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift—one of recent history’s most notable satirists—is a famous example from classic literature. Today, this is generally what we think of when we think of the word satire.

Juvenalian satire

If you think Juvenalian satire is juvenile, you’re off the mark—the name comes from the poet Juvenal. This type of satire is dark, bitter, and carries a core message: something is very wrong in the world today, and Imma tell you why.

Juvenalian satire isn’t meant to make the reader laugh, but rather to draw the reader’s attention to problems in contemporary culture. You’ll often find this type of satire in dystopian fiction. For example, The Hunger Games can be seen as a Juvenalian satire of reality television and celebrity culture.

Menippean satire

Menippean satire comes from the philosopher Menippus, and refers to satirical writing that explores broad, general flaws in humanity. Traditionally, these often denounced the problems in upper class intellectualism and elitist attitudes towards the working class. However, Menippean satire can also be used as a lens through which to examine contemporary issues like homophobia, agoraphobia, or racism.

This type of satire can overlap with Horatian and Juvenalian satire, and it can be amusing or bleak. Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland , which pokes fun at the pastimes of the Victorian elite, is an example of Menippean satire.

Visual satire

Visual satire communicates satirical perspectives through a visual lens, like animation or comic books. The most common examples of these are political cartoons, in which the artist says a lot of big ideas in only a moment. Cartoons like The Simpsons often communicate social and political satire in a visual way, as do comic strips like Calvin and Hobbes .

If you’re writing a comic book or graphic novel, you have a wide range of visual literary devices available to you. Even if you’re writing a satirical prose novel, remember that your cover illustration can communicate to your deeper meaning, too.

Examples of satire from popular culture

Here are some more examples of beloved satires—the dark and the light—across classic literature.

Temporary by Hilary Leichter

If you’re of a certain generation and have crossed paths with a computer in the past decade or so, you’ve probably come across the toxic buzzphrase of corporate nightmare, “Hustle culture.” The protagonist of Leichter’s novel yearns for the one thing all little girls dream of: a steady job with benefits. Unfortunately, her career is one of being thrown from one temp role to another, which include becoming a department store mannequin, pirate, surrogate mother, and personal assistant to an assassin, among other jobs.

Temporary both mocks and illuminates the way attitudes towards the millennial workforce, job security, and career advancement have changed, making the reader laugh and ask probing questions at the same time—exactly as a good satire should.

Self Care by Leigh Stein

In today’s hustle-happy day in age (see previous), we could all use a little self care. However, there are those that take it a little too far in the name of Likes, free stuff, and artificial self-validation. Self Care follows the founders of a wellness community and app called “Richual,” in which people (read: love-starved women) can track their mindfulness minutes, “me time,” and other measurements of self care on the app, then compare results with all their friends. Nothing like a little competitive spirit to be your best self.

This novel is a rich satire of a personal practice which has, in recent years, become immeasurably commercialized. It encourages the reader to take a break from their phone and consider what self care really means.

Cold Comfort Farm by by Stella Gibbons

The oldest twentieth-century example on this list, Cold Comfort Farm was published in 1932 as an intentional satire of a certain genre of rural fiction—think the Brontë sisters, Jane Austen, and Lucy Maud Montgomery. The protagonist, Flora Poste, is a meddling city girl who moves in with her eccentric family in the sticks. The family consists of a cousin who’s a preacher just a bit off his rocker, a cousin who moons around the countryside quoting poetry, another cousin with a healthy dose of roguish charm, a cow named Pointless, etc., etc. And don’t forget the creepy crumbling manor house.

If this sounds familiar, that’s because these tropes have been done to death, which makes them fertile ground for satirical writing. This novel is a great example of how you can use a satirical approach to take tired clichés and give them a fresh lease on life.

How to incorporate satire into your own writing

As a literary style, satire can be a wonderful way to explore political issues and expose flaws in the world around us in a light-hearted, entertaining way. It can be thought-provoking, and even—the goal of all truly great literature—put into motion a real change.

Here are some things to keep in mind while you explore the long tradition of satiric storytelling.

Consider your core message

All satires have a message they’re trying to communicate with the reader—it could be the absurdity of the housing crisis, or the toxicity of the lengths some people will go for love. Try and pinpoint what social, personal, or political issue you want the reader to take notice of before you begin writing. Then, your entire story structure is built around this message.

Once you know what you’re trying to say, you can look for small details that you can enhance for dramatic effect (and we’ll look at how to do this down below).

Create an allegory

An allegory is a story within a story —an entertaining fictional narrative overlying a deeper true narrative. For example, Animal Farm is a story about a community of farm animals who come together after their farmers leave. It’s also a story about the politics of the Russian Revolution. George Orwell uses the family-friendly overstory to create an indirect satire of the political figures of the time.

If your core message is delicate or potentially inflammatory, consider if there’s another story you could use as a framing device to convey your message in a clear, accessible way.

Use irony and hyperbole for dramatic effect

Irony and hyperbole are the cornerstones of satiric writing. Hyperbole, or extreme exaggeration to make a point, draws the reader’s attention to certain aspects of the work (you see this a lot in cartoons and other satiric art forms). By taking these aspects to their extreme, you encourage your reader to re-examine them in their own lives.

Irony achieves a similar effect. By using words or scenes that convey the opposite of what the reader or character expects, you encourage readers to question why those expectations exist in the first place. You can read more about using irony as a literary device here .

Use symbolism and metaphor

Satire is rich in symbolism and metaphor beyond its literal meaning. Very often, objects, characters, and places in a satire mean something other than what they first appear as. An expensive handbag could be a metaphor for the global disparity of wealth, or a shoebox filled with childhood memorabilia could be symbolic of coming of age in a rapidly shifting society.

When writing your satire (and particularly in the revision process), look for places in which you can heighten your story’s message using these thought-provoking literary devices.

Convey theme—not cruelty

It’s super important to remember that satire is a vehicle for social change—not a cheap opportunity to tear people down. Try to frame your message around ideas, social frameworks, and cultural beliefs rather than specific people. And instead of using your writing to simply say, “This sucks,” try saying “This sucks—but we can do something about it.”

Consider your destination, not just the vehicle.

Satire is a tool for humor, social commentary, and widespread change

Satire is a great literary genre for making people laugh—but it can also be used to explore serious topics and real-life cultural issues the world is facing today. You can convey satire through hyperbole, metaphor, and other literary devices, and through it, encourage people to think about society in a fresh and critical way.

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How to Write a Satire Essay: Examples, Outline and Topics

• By Zain Ul Abadin
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Introduction

Satire is a powerful literary tool that allows writers to critique and ridicule societal norms, behaviours, and institutions. Understanding how to write a satire essay is crucial for writers aiming to use humor and wit to convey important messages.

Understanding Satire

Types of Satire: Satire can take various forms, including Horatian satire, Juvenalian satire, and Menippean satire, each serving different purposes and employing distinct techniques.

Elements of Satire: Satire often involves exaggeration, irony, sarcasm, and parody to highlight societal absurdities and flaws.

Examples of Satire

Classic Satire Examples: Works such as Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” and Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” are timeless examples of classic satire, employing humor to critique societal issues.

Modern Satire Examples: Contemporary examples of satire include television shows like “Saturday Night Live” and online platforms like The Onion, which use satire to comment on current events and cultural phenomena.

Writing a Satire Essay

Choosing a Topic: Selecting the right topic is crucial for a successful satire essay. Writers should choose subjects that are relevant, controversial, and ripe for satire.

Developing a Thesis Statement: A strong thesis statement is essential for guiding the direction of the satire essay and conveying the writer’s perspective.

Structuring the Essay: A typical satire essay follows a traditional essay structure, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Techniques for Writing Satire

Exaggeration: Exaggerating the flaws or absurdities of a subject can emphasize its ridiculousness and make the satire more effective.

Irony: Irony involves conveying the opposite of what is expected, often leading to humorous or thought-provoking outcomes.

Sarcasm: Sarcasm employs sharp, cutting remarks to mock or ridicule a subject, adding wit and humor to the satire.

Parody: Parody involves imitating a specific style or work for comedic effect, often to critique the original and highlight its absurdities.

Crafting Satirical Characters

Characterization in Satire: Characters in satire are often exaggerated and caricatured to emphasize their flaws or virtues, adding depth and humor to the satire.

Creating Memorable Characters: Memorable characters resonate with readers and enhance the impact of the satire, making it more engaging and memorable.

Satirical Devices and Tools

Wordplay: Clever wordplay can add layers of meaning to satire, enhancing its comedic value and making it more engaging for readers.

Hyperbole: Hyperbole involves exaggerating aspects of a subject to absurd proportions, highlighting its flaws or absurdities in a humorous way.

Incongruity: Creating unexpected or illogical situations can underscore the absurdity of a subject or situation, adding humor and wit to the satire.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

While satire can be a powerful tool for social commentary, writers must be mindful of potential pitfalls that can undermine its effectiveness.

Offensiveness: Satire should never target marginalized or vulnerable groups in a way that perpetuates harm or discrimination, as this can alienate readers and detract from the message.

Lack of Subtlety: Heavy-handed satire can come across as preachy or didactic, failing to engage readers effectively and diminishing the impact of the satire.

Failing to Convey a Message: Effective satire should have a clear message or purpose, whether it’s to critique society, provoke thought, or simply entertain readers.

Modern Satirical Topics

Satire is a dynamic genre that evolves with society, addressing contemporary issues and concerns with humor and wit.

Political Satire: Political figures, policies, and institutions are frequent targets of satire, offering ample material for commentary on power dynamics and societal norms.

Social Media Satire: The rise of social media has provided fertile ground for satirical commentary on digital culture, online behavior, and social trends, highlighting the absurdities of modern life in the digital age.

Environmental Satire: With increasing awareness of environmental issues, satire can be used to critique human impact on the environment and the failure of conservation efforts, raising awareness and prompting action.

Writing Techniques and Tips

Mastering the art of satire requires practice and skillful execution of various writing techniques.

Researching Your Topic: Thorough research ensures that your satire is well-informed and grounded in reality, enhancing its credibility and impact.

Using Humour Effectively: Humor is central to satire, but it’s essential to strike a balance between amusement and insight, ensuring that your satire resonates with readers and effectively conveys its message.

Revising and Editing: Like any form of writing, effective satire benefits from careful revision and editing to refine ideas, improve clarity, and enhance comedic timing, ensuring that the satire is polished and engaging for readers.

Impact of Satire on Society

Satire has the power to shape public opinion, challenge societal norms, and provoke meaningful discourse on important issues.

Influencing Public Opinion: Satirical works can influence public perception of politicians, policies, and social issues, shaping public discourse and debate and raising awareness of important issues.

Addressing Social Issues: Satire often serves as a vehicle for addressing pressing social issues, from inequality and injustice to climate change and human rights violations. By highlighting these issues in a humorous and engaging way, satire can provoke thought, inspire action, and promote positive change within society.

Satire Essay Outline

Crafting a satire essay requires careful planning and organization to ensure that the message is conveyed effectively and the humor resonates with the audience.

Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for the satire essay, providing context for the topic and establishing the writer’s perspective.

Body Paragraphs: The body of the essay develops the writer’s argument through a series of well-structured paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect of the topic and providing supporting evidence and examples.

Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the main points of the essay and reinforces the writer’s message, leaving readers with a lasting impression or call to action.

Satire Essay Topics

When choosing a topic for a satire essay, writers should consider issues that are relevant, controversial, and ripe for satire.

Political Figures: Satirizing politicians and political leaders can shed light on their actions, policies, and character traits, providing fodder for humorous commentary.

Social Norms: Challenging societal norms and conventions through satire can highlight absurdities or contradictions in everyday life, prompting readers to question the status quo.

Technology: Exploring the impact of technology on society through satire can address issues such as social media addiction, surveillance culture, or technological dependence, offering a fresh perspective on modern-day challenges.

Satire in Different Forms of Media

Satire takes many forms, from written works to visual media and beyond, each offering unique opportunities for creative expression and social critique.

Satirical Cartoons: Political cartoons use caricature and symbolism to critique political figures and events, providing a visual representation of satire that is accessible and engaging for readers.

Satirical Literature: Satirical novels, essays, and plays offer a rich tapestry of comedic commentary on society, culture, and politics, allowing writers to explore complex issues in a humorous and thought-provoking way.

Satirical Films and Television Shows: From sitcoms to sketch comedy, television and film provide a platform for satirical commentary on a wide range of topics, from pop culture to current events, reaching a broad audience and sparking meaningful dialogue.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: Can anyone write satire?

A1: While anyone can attempt satire, mastering the art requires a keen understanding of comedic timing, irony, and social commentary.

Q2: Is satire always meant to be funny?

A2: While humor is a central component of satire, not all satire is intended to elicit laughter. Some forms of satire may provoke discomfort or provoke thought without relying solely on humor.

Q3: Are there any topics off-limits for satire?

A3: While satire is known for pushing boundaries, it’s essential to avoid targeting vulnerable or marginalized groups in a way that perpetuates harm or discrimination.

Q4: How can I ensure my satire is effective?

A4: Effective satire requires careful consideration of your audience, topic, and message. Be sure to research your subject thoroughly, use humor judiciously, and revise your work to ensure clarity and impact.

Q5: Can satire bring about social change?

A5: Satire has the power to challenge assumptions, provoke thought, and inspire action, making it a potent tool for social critique and change.

In conclusion, mastering the art of satire writing requires a combination of creativity, insight, and humor. By understanding the techniques and principles of satire, writers can craft compelling essays that entertain, provoke thought, and inspire change within society. Whether targeting political figures, social norms, or cultural practices, satire has the power to challenge the status quo and spark meaningful dialogue on important issues. So, embrace the wit and wisdom of satire, and let your pen be your sharpest weapon in the fight for truth and justice.

By examining the different types of satire, exploring real-world examples of satire efforts, and leveraging the power of AI writing tools like Blainy.com , students can create essays that make a real impact and help to combat this pervasive problem. With Blainy’s powerful features, including AI autocomplete, customized styles, and in-text citations, students can receive the expert guidance and support they need to produce high-quality essays on any topic. We encourage all students to sign up for a free trial of Blainy today and start writing with confidence.

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Writing a Satire Essay: Guide and Examples

Satire has many forms that can be used to write works practically about any topic. Knowing where to start can be tricky if you have never encountered similar tasks at school before. But there’s no need to worry! Our team has developed this helpful guide for such an occasion. We will explain the basics of satirical essays and provide valuable tips on making them.

This article will also provide plenty of topic ideas on popular themes to make your work less stressful. You’ll also get to check out several satire essay examples that can serve as an inspiration for your work. Use our guide to make your paper come out great!

😁 The Basics of Satirical Essays

🔎 types of satire, 📝 writing a satire essay.

• 💡 Best Satirical Topics
• 🤩 Satire Essay Examples

📎 References

The American historian Barbara W. Tuchman states, “Satire is a wrapping of exaggeration around a core of reality.” This quote perfectly describes this exciting and controversial genre. But what is the definition of satire anyway? It’s the art of making something ridiculous, laughable, or discrediting. Satire is one of the oldest literary genres, dating back to Ancient Greece and the rhetorician Quintallian . It has different types, but their purpose is largely the same.

You can use satire to make fun of political ideologies, excessive militarism, or the pitfalls of modern society.

That’s precisely what many authors like George Orwell, Terry Pratchett, Joseph Heller, and Jaroslaw Hasek did in their works. They give a funhouse mirror look at real or fictional concepts and, sometimes, a mix of both.

Every essay type has an essential role, and this one is no exception. A satire essay serves the same purpose as its larger counterparts. It lets you poke fun or criticize things you find absurd. A paper can ridicule anything from the agony of bureaucratic procedures and nonsensical laws to the media climate and pop culture scene. It allows you to voice your opinion on these matters in a lighthearted and fun way.

Essentially, you can use three types of satire in your essays. Check them out before approaching a new piece of writing. This way, you’ll better select the most suitable for your subject and writing style .

Writing a satirical essay has much in common with other examples of this genre. You need an introduction, body paragraphs , and a conclusion. This section outlines the steps that will help you in this process. Read on to learn how to perfect your satire essay!

• Step 1 : Select a topic. Find a subject that’s preferably already ridiculous or ironic. Your goal is to make it look even more exaggerated. Political c artoons are an excellent place to find a suitable theme for your essay.
• Step 2 : Make your point through a hyperbole. Keep in mind that a hyperbolizing doesn’t necessarily mean lying. Instead, exaggerate the facts to highlight how absurd they are. For example, you can talk about how Norway’s economy is thriving thanks to the sheer amount of salmon they consume yearly.
• Step 3 : Present your ideas through irony . This literary device uses words and phrases to tell the opposite of what they mean. It allows you to show a disconnect between someone’s expectations and what happens in reality.
• Step 4 : Make it humorous. Keeping up a light tone can be challenging. But you should still do your best, as humor is a great way to get people to side with you and accept your position on an issue. It can win people over faster than weighted and meticulously explained opinions.

💡 Best Satirical Topics for an Essay

A satirical essay can be about any theme you like, from literary works to global events. To keep you from losing your head in this sea of possibilities, we’ve decided to present some of the funniest and most engaging topics for your writings.

But before we get started, here are some ideas on how you can come up with a cool satirical topic for your paper:

✅ Personal Experiences. Reflect on the moments from your life that struck you as odd or downright hilarious. Maybe it’s when you mistook a raccoon for your neighbor’s cat. Funny experiences often harbor unique insights that, when shared, can resonate with others due to their unexpected humor.

✅ Social Norms and Expectations . Explore instances when societal norms clash with reality. Let’s imagine your coworkers dressed in regular clothes to work while you and your friend dressed in Halloween outfits. By dissecting these contradictions, you can craft a story that entertains and subtly challenges societal norms.

✅ Current Events and Trends . Take a satirical lens to recent happenings, whether it’s an obsession with a new TikTok trend or an outfit from Rihanna or Doja Cat that other influencers are rushing to copy. Amplify the absurdity of these events to highlight their often-overlooked humorous side while satirizing the public’s reactions surrounding them.

✅ Everyday Life Observations . Delve into the nuances of daily life that typically go unnoticed. It could be the funny habits of your soulmate or people’s behavior on public transportation or elevators. By magnifying these quirks, you can reveal the hilarity and peculiarity of the routines we take for granted.

School and Education Satire Topics

• How to master Google search for your academic pursuits.
• The art of procrastination : How to avoid studying until the last minute.
• How to ace an exam without studying.
• The myth of a perfect student and how it wrecks the lives of collegegoers.
• A satirical look at the pitfalls of contemporary American education .
• College application essays: The most needless thing and how to ace it.
• Why you should spend years earning a degree you’ll never use.
• Group projects and how to survive them.
• Funny utopian school: Where homework is banned and recess is eternal.
• The unfair world of homework assignments.

Technology and Social Media Satire Topics

• The Me generation: How social media raises an army of narcissists .
• Informational addiction: Truth or even scarier truth?
• Why you should post everything online.
• Artificial Intelligence : Our doom or salvation?
• The virtues of being a social media star.
• Social media and its effect on your personal life.
• How to wreck your life with Facebook .
• TikTok and the modern media contagion.
• Top 10 apps that ruin your life.
• How to live one day without technology and stay sane.

Historical Satire Topics

• A satirical look at the rise and fall of the Roman Empire .
• The Third Reich’s WWII propaganda: A study in ridiculousness.
• Fighting for peace: A short look at the arms race.
• “Let them eat cake” and other phrases that changed history.
• Historical influence of satire on the American Dream perception .
• How the Cold War shaped American satire of the late 20th century.
• Medieval gun control: Unsheathing the hilarity of sword registry laws.
• The rise of authoritarianism and political satire.
• 1812 and the folly of Napoleon .
• Slavery in the land of the free.

Politics and Government Satire Topics

• The wonderful world of the two-party system.
• Political promises: A study in honesty and integrity.
• A satirical look at the theatrics of political ads .
• The department of bureaucratic ballet: A satirical look at the government’s efficiency.
• How the US bureaucracy became the monster everybody loves to hate.
• A crash course in gaining political power without the fuss of democracy .
• Political dodgeball: Avoiding questions made easy.
• Ingenious solutions: How politicians promise to solve everything with catchy slogans.
• How to survive your next Thanksgiving dinner .
• How political division brings a country together.

Social Issues Satire Topics

• Ten ways to avoid pressing social issues and feel good about yourself.
• Why pulling yourself by the bootstraps no longer works.
• Eating your way to a healthier life.
• The luxury guide to poverty: How to embrace destitution with style.
• How to become an effective cyberbully.
• The selfie pandemic: A guide to self-obsession.
• Unemployment reality shows: Who wants to be a broke millionaire?
• Remaining private in a globally connected world.
• How to become a cut-throat millionaire.
• The great overpopulation and its humorous consequences.

Literature Satire Topics

• How to bore your audience while looking important.
• Outdated language: Making dictionaries cool again.
• Crafting complex plots with just simple literary techniques .
• A masterclass in confusing storytelling.
• How to write a novel that people won’t buy.
• The art of long-winded narrative in Stephen King novels.
• Endings that made you throw books out the window.
• Breaking the fourth wall and hilarious in-text solutions.
• How to talk about books without reading them.
• A guide to nonsensical plot twists.

🤩 Fantastic Satire Essay Examples

As we all know, theory is good but practice makes perfect. This is why we want to offer you these satire essay examples. Carefully reading through them will help you understand the elements they use and what makes them work. We suggest that you also try your hand at writing essays on these topics – compare them to our samples and see where you can improve!

• Failed Leadership Can Only Be Whipped by Satire George Orwell used Animal Farm to critique totalitarian regimes that oppress the masses. The work pokes fun at many authoritarian movements, from fascism to communism, with a strong and charismatic leader usurping the top position and gaining full power. But most prominently it’s an attack on the October Revolution and the rise of Joseph Stalin as the leader. On a broader scale, Animal Farm serves as a satire of communism that ultimately didn’t meet the high expectations that the USSR’s citizens anticipated. Each character symbolizes a class or type of individual with strong and weak character traits. The novel’s antagonist, Master Jones, represents the bourgeoisie that exploits workers to death. The animals, a.k.a the proletariat, revolt and overthrow his iron rule. While things seem better for a while, thanks to the efforts and philosophy of a pig called Old Major, everything quickly turns for the worse. That soon results in many tragic events and the farm falling into the hands of another pig named Napoleon. He usurps the prime position much like Joseph Stalin did from Leo Trotsky . Any mentions of his political rival are met with brutal retaliation. Pretty soon, nobody remembers the original ideas that spearheaded the revolution. Ultimately, the pigs take over the farm and start to resemble humans. It is a masterful allegory of the oppressed becoming the oppressors. Animals become rulers of the farm, but most live in the same squalor they started with. Of course, nobody who is “ more equal than others ” ever complains.
• Political Satire and Stephen Colbert Political satire has been around almost since the dawn of American independence. Over the past couple of decades, it has become a favorite subject of many shows, including the subject of this essay — Stephen Colbert . His The Colbert Report is a prime example of how to criticize the political climate with the right amount of humor and heart. Colbert’s approach to satire pulls no punches as he famously mocked former President George Bush Jr. during a White House Correspondent Dinner. He criticized Bush’s actions, lifestyle, beliefs, and foreign policy decisions. He especially criticized the decision to invade Iraq in 2003, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties. Stephen Colbert used an ironic approach to discuss such issues to draw attention to them. While this was done lightheartedly, many people sided with Colbert. That allowed him to influence public opinion without being directly involved in politics. And Colbert always encouraged his viewers to do the right thing. Even though The Colbert Report ended in 2014, the man himself remains popular with American audiences. His current Late Night Show with Stephen Colbert enjoys millions of subscribers on YouTube and hundreds of millions of views. His previous program is still popular, with new people discovering it daily.

Thank you for reading our article. Hopefully, it helped you create a perfect satire essay. And if you need to find more ideas for your work, try out our essay topic generator !

❓ Satirical Essay FAQ

What is a satire essay.

A satirical essay sheds light on the absurdities of comical aspects of life. They are often used to criticize or make fun of a concept, a person, or a trend. This type of writing utilizes literary devices of irony and hyperbole to emphasize its message. Political satire is the most popular type in this field.

How to Start a Satire Essay?

Like any essay, it should start with an introduction. Here, you explain the theme of your work and what you want to shed light upon, be it a person, an event, or a concept. A good intro starts with a hook sentence for readers. Make it fun and engaging, and they’ll likely continue reading your satirical essay.

How to Write a Satire Essay?

First, find the right topic to make the subject of your essay. Second, use hyperbole and irony to point out the ridiculous aspects of the theme. You can check out examples of satirical papers to understand how these literary devices work. Finally, make the writing full of humor to drive your point home.

• What is Satire? || Definition & Examples. – Evan Gottlieb, Oregon State University
• 7 Satire Techniques With Tips. – Indeed
• The Process for Setting up a Satire Essay. – Loudoun County Public Schools
• What Is Satire? How to Use Satire in Literature, Pop Culture, and Politics—Plus Tips on Using Satire in Writing. – MasterClass
• Satirical Writing. – Del Donno, Lone Star College-University Park
• How to Write Satire. – Alex Baia
• 4 Ways to Come Up With a Great Essay Idea. – Oxford Royale Academy
• How to Use Satire, Sarcasm, and the Power of Contrast to Expand Your Writing Repertoire. – Dawn Bevier, Medium
• Writing Satire Is Harder Than You Think. – Jeff Goins, Writer
• Choosing a Topic. – The On-Campus Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University

• Articles , Fun , Writing

How to Write Great Satire (With Examples)

Satire is a genre of literature and performing arts, often characterized by its use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. It’s a powerful tool for offering commentary on and criticism of its subject.

What Satire Is

Satire, as a genre, is more than just making jokes or mocking societal elements. It’s a sophisticated form of critique that’s carefully dressed in humor, insight, and relevance. Let’s delve deeper into what constitutes the essence of satire.

Satire is Critical

Satire fundamentally aims to expose and critique the flaws, faults, and shortcomings of its subjects, which could range from individuals and organizations to broader societal norms. This critique often comes with an undercurrent of moral or social improvement. Satire is not just about pointing out what’s wrong; it’s about holding up a mirror to the subject, often in a way that motivates reflection and, ideally, change. It’s a form of social commentary that seeks to bring to light the underlying issues that might otherwise go unnoticed or unaddressed.

Satire is Humorous

Humor in satire is not just for laughs; it’s a strategic tool. While satire might not always provoke outright laughter, it uses humor to make its critique more palatable and engaging. Techniques like wit, irony, and exaggeration are the hallmarks of satirical humor. They serve to soften the blow of the critique, making the message more accessible and less confrontational. This subtle infusion of humor is what often allows satire to deliver its message effectively, making complex or sensitive issues more approachable.

Satire is Usually Insightful

Effective satire goes beyond mere criticism; it is inherently insightful. It’s not just about highlighting problems but also about offering a deeper understanding of the issues at hand. Satire encourages the audience to think more critically and to see beyond the surface of the subject being satirized. It often provides a new perspective or sheds light on aspects of an issue that may not have been apparent before. This insightful nature of satire is what gives it depth, transforming it from mere comedy into a thought-provoking critique.

Satire is Often Timely

Satire is often at its most powerful when it is topical and relevant, focusing on current events, social trends, political happenings, and prominent figures. By engaging with contemporary issues, satire stays connected with its audience, offering commentary that is immediately recognizable and relatable. This relevance is crucial as it allows satire to comment on the pulse of society, reflecting and critiquing the world as it is at that moment. Topical satire can influence public opinion and contribute to the discourse on current issues, making it a dynamic and impactful form of expression.

What Satire Isn’t

Satire is often misunderstood, sometimes conflated with mere comedy or other forms of humorous expression. Understanding what satire isn’t is crucial for appreciating its unique character and purpose. Let’s demystify this by exploring common misconceptions about satire.

Satire Isn’t Merely Funny

While humor is a fundamental component of satire, it’s a mistake to equate satire with mere comedy. Comedy aims primarily to entertain and amuse, whereas satire uses humor as a means to an end – that end being critique and social commentary. Satire embeds its humor within a context of criticism; it’s not just about making people laugh, but making them think and question.

Satire is Not Always Negative or Desctructive

A common misconception is that satire exists solely to criticize or tear down its subjects. While critique is a key element of satire, it’s not just about highlighting the negative. Satire often has constructive goals – it aims to expose flaws and follies to prompt introspection, discussion, and even change. It’s not destruction for the sake of destruction, but rather, a tool for shedding light on issues with the hope of improvement.

Satire Isn’t Always Obvious

Satire is not always immediately obvious or overt. It can be subtle, requiring the audience to engage and recognize the layers of meaning beneath the surface. This subtlety is part of its effectiveness; it invites deeper reflection and analysis, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the issues at hand. This complexity means that satire can sometimes go unrecognized or be misinterpreted by those not attuned to its subtleties.

Satire Isn’t the Same as Parody

While both satire and parody use humor, they serve different purposes. Parody primarily focuses on imitation and exaggeration of a particular work, style, or genre for comic effect. It doesn’t inherently carry a critical message about broader societal issues, which is a hallmark of satire. Satire, on the other hand, while it may use parody as a technique, always has a deeper, often critical, intent.

Satire is Much More Than Sarcasm

Sarcasm is often blunt and straightforward in its ridicule or irony, and can sometimes be mean-spirited. While sarcasm might be a component of satire, satire is much broader in scope. It encompasses a wider range of humor and irony, and unlike sarcasm, it is often less about personal ridicule and more about critiquing societal structures, behaviors, and norms.

How to Write Great Satire

Choose your target.

Whether you’re poking fun at political ideologies, societal norms, cultural trends, or specific events or individuals, choosing your target is the first step in writing great satire. The key is clarity; your audience should easily be able discern what you’re satirizing. For instance, Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” didn’t just criticize poverty in Ireland; it satirized the heartless attitudes of the wealthy towards the poor.

While ideologies, norms, and trends are common fodder for satire, the choice is vast and varied. The key is to find a subject that resonates with you and your intended audience. For example, in “Catch-22,” Joseph Heller chose to satirize the bureaucratic absurdities and paradoxes of war, targeting not just the concept of war itself but the illogical nature of bureaucracies in a high-stakes environment.

When selecting your target, it’s also crucial to consider its relevance and timeliness. Satire that connects with current events or enduring societal issues tends to have a stronger impact. The TV show “South Park,” for instance, has built its reputation on rapidly responding to current events, making its satire feel immediate and pertinent.

Another aspect to consider is the universality of your target. While it’s tempting to choose a niche subject, broader topics often have a wider appeal. This doesn’t mean you should shy away from specific targets, but rather, find ways to make them relatable to a larger audience. “Veep,” for example, while set in the specific world of American politics, uses universal themes of power, ambition, and human folly, making it accessible and amusing to a wide range of viewers.

Finally, approach your chosen target with a blend of critical insight and empathy. Satire is not just about mockery; it’s an opportunity to offer a deeper critique of a subject, potentially inciting thought and discussion. The British show “The Office” satirizes the mundanity and absurdities of everyday office life, but it does so with a sense of understanding and empathy for its characters, enriching the satire.

Find the Absurdity

The essence of satire lies in exaggeration. Identify the inherent absurdities within your subject and amplify them. Imagine satirizing a political policy about increased surveillance. You could depict a future where drones follow citizens to ensure they floss daily. The exaggeration here emphasizes the overreach of surveillance in a humorous, yet thought-provoking way.

In satire, exaggeration isn’t just a stylistic choice; it’s a tool to uncover and magnify the absurdities inherent in your subject. The goal is to transform what might be a subtle or overlooked flaw into something glaringly obvious and, ideally, laughable. This process of magnification not only entertains but also encourages your audience to reconsider the subject with a more critical eye.

To effectively find and amplify absurdity, start by observing the nuances of your target. Look for contradictions, hypocrisies, or simply the oddities that often go unnoticed. For instance, if you were satirizing the complexities of modern relationships, you might depict a scenario where a couple communicates solely through social media updates, despite living together. This exaggeration highlights the absurdity of over-reliance on digital communication in personal relationships.

Another approach is to push a logical premise to illogical extremes. Take the example of satirizing consumer culture. You could create a world where people take extreme measures, like trading essential life experiences or memories, just to purchase the latest trendy product. This not only lampoons consumerism but also subtly comments on what we value as a society.

Satire often thrives in the realm of the ‘slippery slope.’ Take a policy, trend, or behavior and ask, “What if this were taken to its extreme?” This method was famously employed in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World,” where the pursuit of happiness through technology and control is pushed to dystopian extremes, reflecting on the potential consequences of our own societal choices.

It’s important to balance your exaggeration so that the absurdity is evident but not so outlandish that it becomes unbelievable. The best satirical exaggerations are those that make the audience pause and think, “This is ridiculous, but it could happen,” or “This is an exaggeration, but it reflects a real issue.”

Use Irony and Contrast

Satire thrives on the disparity between reality and expectation. Irony is your ally. Illustrate the gap between how things are and how they ought to be, or between public perception and reality. Consider how George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” uses animals to depict the irony of a revolution that ends up mirroring the oppression it sought to overthrow.

Irony can be a subtle and effective way to highlight the ridiculousness of a situation. For example, satirizing the inefficiency of a bureaucratic system by portraying a department dedicated to reducing paperwork that, in fact, generates more paperwork. This ironic twist not only induces laughter but also underscores the problem in a memorable way.

One powerful form of irony is situational irony, where the outcome of a situation is the opposite of what you would expect. An example of this can be found in Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal.” Swift ironically suggests that the poor in Ireland sell their children as food to the rich. This shocking proposal starkly contrasts with the expected discourse on poverty, thereby highlighting the severity of the issue and the indifference of the elite.

Another way to utilize irony is through verbal irony, where what is said is the opposite of what is meant. This is often seen in satirical dialogues, where characters may speak in praise of something that the author intends to criticize. For example, in the television series “Veep,” characters often make grandiose statements about political integrity that are blatantly at odds with their actions, thus satirizing the duplicity often found in politics.

Contrast is equally important in satire. It can be used to juxtapose the ideal with the real, the powerful with the powerless, or the past with the present. This contrast can be seen in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which uses the lavish lifestyle of the 1920s to contrast with the emptiness and moral decay of the characters’ lives, thereby critiquing the American Dream.

Another effective use of contrast is highlighting the difference between a character’s inner thoughts and outward actions. In “Dr. Strangelove,” the outward decorum and politeness of the military and political leaders starkly contrasts with the absurdity and horror of the nuclear war they are navigating, satirizing the cold war mentality and the absurdities of nuclear strategies.

The use of irony and contrast in satire is not just about creating humor; it’s about crafting a narrative that forces the audience to question and think critically about the subject at hand. By highlighting the discrepancies between reality and expectation, between what is said and what is meant, and by juxtaposing opposing ideas or values, satire can effectively critique and comment on the various facets of human society.

Balance Humor and Critique

Balancing humor and critique is the delicate tightrope walk at the heart of satire. The most impactful satirical works aren’t just amusing; they serve as a mirror, reflecting societal issues through the lens of humor. This balance is key in transforming satire from mere comedy to a potent form of social commentary.

Mark Twain, a maestro of this balance, wielded humor not as an end in itself but as a means to unveil deeper truths. In “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” Twain uses the innocent perspective of a child to subtly critique the entrenched racism and moral hypocrisy of antebellum America. The humorous escapades of Huck and Jim on the Mississippi River are juxtaposed with the stark realities of slavery and societal prejudices, creating a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

Another classic example is found in the works of British author Jonathan Swift. His essay “A Modest Proposal” is a masterclass in this balance. Swift uses dark humor, proposing that the poor sell their children as food to the rich, to deliver a scathing critique of the British exploitation of Ireland. The absurdity of the proposal, delivered with a straight face, heightens the underlying critique of societal indifference to the plight of the impoverished.

Jane Austen also excelled in this balance through her use of wit and irony to critique the social norms of her time. In “Pride and Prejudice,” Austen uses the character of Elizabeth Bennet and her sharp wit to both entertain and to subtly question the societal expectations placed on women, particularly regarding marriage and social status.

In modern times, television shows like “The Office” have continued this tradition. The show uses situational and character-driven humor to critique modern office culture, corporate management, and human relationships. The seemingly mundane setting of an office is transformed into a canvas for a humorous yet insightful commentary on the absurdities of everyday work life.

The key to achieving this balance lies in the subtlety of the critique. The humor should not overshadow the commentary; instead, it should be used to enhance it. This is achieved through careful crafting of characters, situations, and dialogues that are amusing on the surface but carry a deeper, often critical, meaning.

Great satire thrives on subtlety. It’s akin to a cleverly laid trap; the audience stumbles into realizations, rather than being directly confronted with them. This art of being implicit in your criticism is what separates good satire from mere parody or slapstick humor.

In “Parks and Recreation,” the character of Ron Swanson exemplifies a different approach to subtlety in satire. Swanson’s extreme libertarian views and his comical disdain for government, despite being a government employee, offer a nuanced critique of political ideologies and bureaucratic inefficiencies. The show refrains from directly mocking or condemning these views. Instead, it cleverly exaggerates them within a relatable and humorous framework. This leads viewers to reflect on and find humor in the paradoxes and contradictions inherent in real-world politics and government operations.

Similarly, consider the classic British sitcom “Yes, Minister.” The show never explicitly states its critique of bureaucratic inefficiency and political maneuvering. Instead, it uses the interactions and situations its characters find themselves in to highlight these issues. The audience is left to connect the dots, enjoying a laugh while simultaneously pondering the complexities of government and politics.

Subtlety in satire also involves using metaphors and allegories. Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis,” while not traditionally satirical, uses the absurd situation of a man turning into an insect to subtly comment on alienation, dehumanization, and the absurdity of modern life. The reader is drawn into a bizarre narrative, only to slowly realize the underlying commentary on society.

The effectiveness of subtlety in satire is also about timing and pacing. The humor and critique should unfold at a pace that allows the audience to engage and reflect. It’s about dropping hints, not revealing the entire joke or critique upfront. The reveal, when it comes, should feel like a discovery to the audience, a reward for their engagement and understanding.

In crafting subtle satire, it’s important to maintain a balance. Too obscure, and the satire loses its impact; too obvious, and it becomes preachy. The goal is to encourage the audience to think critically, to question and to see the deeper meaning behind the humor.

Know Your Audience

Understanding your audience is crucial in satire. The success of a satirical piece often hinges on how well the creator knows the beliefs, values, and sensitivities of their audience. Misjudging the audience can result in satire that is either too obtuse or too offensive, ultimately causing the piece to miss its mark.

One of the pitfalls of not understanding your audience is creating satire that is too esoteric. If the references, language, or the context of the satire are not accessible to the intended audience, it can lead to confusion rather than amusement or enlightenment. For instance, a satirical piece heavy with obscure literary references might resonate with an academic audience but could be lost on a general readership. This disconnect can make the satire seem aloof and unengaging.

On the other end of the spectrum, satire that is too blunt or heavy-handed can alienate the audience, especially if it crosses the line into insensitivity or offensiveness. For example, a satirical piece that makes light of a sensitive or traumatic event without considering the potential impact on those directly affected might evoke anger and backlash rather than prompting reflection or debate.

Stay Relevant: The Impact of Timeliness in Satire

In the world of satire, staying relevant and timely is paramount. Satirical works that tap into current events, social trends, and political happenings tend to resonate more deeply with audiences. This relevance not only enhances the humor but also sharpens the critique, making it a powerful tool for commentary on contemporary issues.

“Saturday Night Live” (SNL) exemplifies the effective use of current events in satire. The show’s sketches often reflect and comment on the latest political developments, pop culture phenomena, and societal trends. For instance, SNL’s political parodies, which have featured impressions of various U.S. presidents and political figures, capture not just their mannerisms but also the essence of the political climate. This timely reflection ensures that the satire is not just funny, but also poignant and thought-provoking.

Websites like “The Onion” and “The Babylon Bee” have taken the art of satirical news to a new level. These platforms publish articles that mimic the style and appearance of traditional news but with a satirical twist. They cover a wide range of topics from politics to culture, often commenting on recent news and events. For example, “The Onion” might publish a piece with a headline that’s a hyperbolic take on a current political issue, offering a humorous yet incisive critique of the situation. “The Babylon Bee” similarly uses satire, often with a more conservative slant, to comment on cultural and political issues, highlighting the absurdities in recent events.

Social media has become a fertile ground for satirical content. Memes, tweets, and short videos that satirize current events can go viral, spreading rapidly across social platforms. Yes, a meme can certainly be considered satirical. Satire often thrives on brevity and impact, qualities inherent in memes. These snippets can quickly and effectively convey commentary through a blend of images and text. This immediacy allows satirists to react quickly to events as they unfold, engaging with a broad audience in real-time. The speed and reach of social media have made it an invaluable tool for satirical commentary, enabling satirists to stay highly relevant and topical.

Writing satire is a delicate art that balances humor with critique, subtlety with clarity, and relevance with creativity. By choosing a clear target, finding the absurdity in the subject, using irony, maintaining a balance between humor and critique, being subtle, knowing your audience, and staying informed, your satirical piece – be it an article, script, story, poem, or song – can not only entertain but also offer insightful commentary.

Use AI for a Shortcut to Satire

Artificial Intelligence can write just about anything, and satire is no exception. We at Word.Studio have built a fun tool to help you quickly generate a nice blend of humor and commentary on the fly. If you would like to experiment with generating original satirical articles, try our Satirical Article Generator to draft a satirical article on just about any subject you can imagine. This is an emerging field, and AI doesn’t always excel at the nuance of humor and subtlety, but it certainly tries. You are welcome to take it for a spin to see for yourself here.

• This page was originally published by Word.Studio
• on January 10, 2024
• in Articles , Fun , Writing

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Biting Social Satire: How to Write a Great Critique

Social satire is a genre of film that relies on irony, exaggeration, ridicule, or humor to critique an unfavorable aspect of society and/or human nature.

The best social satires are entertaining at the surface level – often featuring elements of fantasy or absurdism – and also pack a critical punch. 

In this article, we’ll break down the key aspects of a social satire.

Warning: This post contains spoilers for GET OUT, SORRY TO BOTHER YOU, and FIGHT CLUB.

Table of Contents

Broad vs. specific satire.

• Exaggeration 

Metaphors/Allegories

• Elements of Fantasy 

Psychological Devices

Combining genres, knowing the audience of your social satire, the social satire: a conclusion, what issue are you satirizing in your social satire .

A social satire revolves around whatever aspect of society it’s critiquing. 

Therefore the first step of writing a social satire is determining what societal issue your script is going to satirize. Some possible topics might include:

• Politics – Power struggles, deception, and deceit in the political sphere.
• The Social Hierarchy – How society is structured, and how that structure often disadvantages people of certain races, classes, genders, sexualities, etc.
• Technology  – How people communicate, how society is becoming increasingly reliant on technology, etc.
• The Environment – How humans affect the environment and their ignorance regarding their impact. 
• Religion – The psychology of religion, the corrupt aspects of the institution, etc.

When choosing a topic for your social satire, it’s helpful to read the news and stay up to date with current events. You may even want to keep a journal where you take notes about societal trends that you notice (particularly those that you think should change) throughout everyday life. 

The best social satires critique relevant subject matter. So allow the current state of the world to inform your choices as a writer. 

You may choose to critique a broader issue, like power/corruption ( THE FAVOURITE ) or classism ( PARASITE ). Such films primarily rely on other elements like style, setting, or characters to add nuance to the critique. Clearly, this can be effective. 

But more specific or niche topics – when properly executed – will help distinguish your script from other social satires.

For example:

• Each BLACK MIRROR episode focuses on a particular aspect of modern technology and its impact on society. For example, “ Nosedive ” satirizes people’s over-reliance on social media, criticizing those who constantly seek validation through likes and ratings.
• THE LOBSTER is a satirical commentary on the social pressures that underlie the search for a lifelong romantic partner. 
• LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE critiques society’s impractical standards of beauty, specifically satirizing the toxicity of beauty pageant culture.

Novel topics can add the necessary dose of originality to your social satire script. Of course, originality is an important aspect of any film regardless of its genre. But a social satire requires some degree of novelty to be fully effective. 

A critique should open viewers’ eyes to an issue, or at least highlight some aspect of the issue largely unexplored in popular media. If the topic (or execution of the topic) feels jaded, the critique will fall flat. Your social satire should challenge viewers by presenting a new perspective. 

But what differentiates a satire from a traditional critique? Films like IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK or FRUITVALE STATION , for example, critique racism in America without satirizing it. It’s essential to understand the key features of a social satire before delving into the writing process. 

What Makes a Social Satire a Satire?

As previously mentioned, a satire uses irony, exaggeration, humor or ridicule to critique some aspect of society or human nature. Your script doesn’t need to incorporate every one of these devices, but it must use at least one to technically qualify as a satire. 

Irony is an effective way to highlight hypocrisy, draw attention to the absurdity of an issue, or even just to elicit laughs from an audience. 

There are three types of irony:

• Verbal irony occurs when a person says one thing but means something different, often the opposite. One of the most common forms of verbal irony is sarcasm.
• Dramatic irony takes place when audience members know information that the characters in the story don’t. 
• Situational irony occurs when the expected outcome of an event or situation and the actual outcome don’t match. 

Many genres of films use irony to make a commentary or to inject humor into a script, not just social satires. But it is particularly prevalent in social satires, as it’s a clever way to criticize society or human nature without feeling preachy. 

In LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, for instance, the beauty pageant audience is appalled by Olive’s silly dance routine. Yes, some of the moves are overtly sexual. But Olive is dressed like a child (even after she tears off her top layer), she’s bare-faced like a child, and she moves like a child. 

Ironically, no one in the audience bats an eye when the scantily clad children who are made up to look like full-grown adults strut across the stage. The film therefore effectively uses irony to critique pageant culture and the sexualization of young girls.

But irony is not the only literary device that emphasizes the absurdity of a situation and draws attention to a critique. Exaggeration can serve a similar purpose, sometimes to an even more comedic effect. 

Exaggeration 

Exaggerated scenarios and characters make it easier to identify the topic being satirized and often force viewers to confront an uncomfortable truth. Almost every social satire features some amount of exaggeration:

• BLACK MIRROR is a hyperbolic take on modern society. For instance, “ Fifteen Million Merits ” exaggerates the flaws of consumerism – people ride stationary bikes to earn “merits” that pay for their daily needs. It also exaggerates technology’s role as a distraction in today’s world.
• Through Brad Pitt’s Tyler Durden, FIGHT CLUB exaggerates (and personifies) toxic masculinity. 
• In ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT , a Bush-era satire, Lucille Bluth is an exaggerated depiction of a rich white conservative. 

To effectively use exaggeration in your social satire, begin with a realistic issue. Take sexism, for example. Make sure you fully understand the nuances of the topic before brainstorming ways to exaggerate it. 

One common way to over-dramatize an issue is to think about who it is affecting or disadvantaging. Who is the perpetrator and who is the victim? Continuing the sexism example, women are typically the ones who are oppressed and men are historically the oppressors.

A social satire might use hyperbolic characters or scenarios to exaggerate this dynamic and highlight its problematic nature.

Exaggeration can also be used to ridicule a subject, which is common in harsher critiques.

To understand how ridicule functions in a social satire, picture Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump. SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE is famous for ridiculing popular (and unpopular) celebrities and politicians. 

But what exactly is ridicule and how does it relate to satire? According to Merriam-Webster, ridicule is…

“the act of making fun of someone or something in a cruel or harsh way”.

Cruel or harsh are the key words here. Clearly, ridicule won’t suit every social satire. But Juvenalian satire, one of the most abrasive types of satire, relies heavily on ridicule to deliver its critique. Juvenalian satires disdainfully and indignantly attack their subject matter and aim to spark anger in their audience. 

Some examples of Juvenalian satires include:

• A CLOCKWORK ORANGE , which ridicules communism and behaviorism. 
• AMERICAN PSYCHO , which ridicules consumerism and hypermasculinity.

Social satires that ridicule their subject matter are often more biting and can leave a longer-lasting impact. 

But the best social satires typically don’t attack their subject too harshly. The goal of the critique shouldn’t necessarily be to draw blood or do any real damage, but rather to open viewers’ eyes to an issue. 

Even if you’re condemning something that most people agree is wrong, an overly aggressive approach can make your audience defensive. A social satire should force viewers to look inward and accept their role (if any) in perpetuating the issue. 

But it’s easy for a message to get lost amongst heavy-handed ridicule. Remember, social satire can be biting without being offensive. 

This is not to say you shouldn’t be bold in your critique. Just keep in mind the goal you’re trying to achieve. If you’re striving for a more lighthearted social satire, you may opt to use humor rather than ridicule.

Humor 

Most social satires – or any kind of satire, for that matter – utilize some degree of humor to critique their subject matter. 

In a social satire, humor should contrast with the significance of the film’s message. This juxtaposition highlights the film’s central critique while also garnering laughs. 

The three previously mentioned elements of a satire (irony, exaggeration, and ridicule) can all be used to a humorous effect. Here are some other ways to infuse humor into your social satire script:

• Incongruity , or a mismatch between a thing and its surroundings. Incongruity is a form of juxtaposition that typically results in humorously absurd situations. In SORRY TO BOTHER YOU , Cassius’s “white voice” is dubbed over by David Cross. The dubbing is very obvious, which makes it funny and incongruous. 
• Inversion, where a script subverts a well-known situation or character type. For example, the Queen in THE FAVOURITE prefers playing with bunnies and racing ducks over ruling the country. 
• Repetition , which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: a repeating joke whose efficacy relies on audience recognition. There are countless examples in ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, like Gene Parmesan fooling Lucille with disguises or Michael not recognizing George Michael’s girlfriend Ann.  
• Slapstick humor , or physical humor. In THE FAVOURITE, characters fall out of carriages, throw shoes at one another, pretend to faint at Parliament meetings, and much more. 

Although humor can be a great tool, not all social satires have to be laugh-out-loud funny. In fact, humor in social satires is often more subtle and offbeat. 

Before writing, determine which elements of a satire you’re going to include (humor, exaggeration, irony, and/or ridicule) and also how you’re going to incorporate them. The delivery of the critique is as important as its topic, and it often involves devices like metaphors and fantasy elements. 

Delivery of a Social Satire

The delivery of a critique refers to the techniques a writer uses to satirize their subject matter. If the topic of the critique is the “what,” the delivery is the “how.”

Metaphors and allegories (extended metaphors) are two commonly used tools in social satires. They’re a simple and effective way to infuse deeper meaning into a story.

• In GET OUT , *spoiler alert* the liberal white elite transplant their brains into the “physically superior” bodies of kidnapped Black Americans. It’s an allegory of slavery and a commentary on the theft and exploitation of Black bodies.
• SORRY TO BOTHER YOU uses *spoiler alert* slave-like horse people as a not-so-subtle metaphor for capitalist culture. 
• DISTRICT 9 is both a sci-fi alien blockbuster and an allegory of apartheid. 

Metaphors and allegories create contrast between the absurdity of the film’s surface-level plot and the gravity of its underlying message. This contrast typically alerts the viewer to the fact that the film is a satire. 

The best social satires don’t make their critiques too obvious, however. Viewers should have to work to connect what’s unfolding on screen with the statement the film is trying to make. 

Metaphors and allegories can help a social satire script achieve the optimal balance between subtle and explicit critique. But a social satire should be more than its central metaphor – it should still feature interesting characters, believable conflict, and a structure that makes sense. 

Viewers who don’t catch every intricacy of the metaphor should not only still follow the plot, but they should also be interested in it. So make sure your script isn’t all metaphor with no surface value. 

If you think a metaphor or allegory suits your script, the next step is to determine what comparison you’re going to make and how you’re going to make it. Social satire metaphors often utilize absurd/outlandish/fantastical elements, which contrast with the film’s serious theme . 

Elements of Fantasy 

Satire and fantasy often go hand in hand. Non-realistic story elements not only provide an outlet for exaggeration and humor, but they also give writers more creative freedom in terms of the delivery of their critique. 

• All three of the films mentioned in the metaphor/allegory section feature elements of fantasy: *spoiler alert* in GET OUT it’s the brain procedure, in SORRY TO BOTHER YOU it’s the horse-human hybrids, and in DISTRICT 9 it’s the aliens. 
• In the world of THE LOBSTER, single people have 45 days to find a romantic partner before they’re turned into an animal of their choosing. 
• Almost all of the technology in BLACK MIRROR – from the memory recorders in “ The Entire History of You ” to the virtual dating simulators in “ Hang the DJ ” – is fantasy (at least for now).
• BAD HAIR features a murderous hair weave as its antagonist.

In these examples, the fantasy elements add complexity to the critique by forcing viewers to ponder, “What if?” They help deliver the film’s message in a unique and thoughtful way while also ensuring that the surface level plot remains interesting.

Obviously, writers should not aimlessly toss elements of fantasy into their scripts. Everything must be purposeful. When planning how to use fantasy elements in your story, ask yourself:

• What purpose do they serve? They should be central to the critique, not thrown in as an afterthought. 
• How do they improve the script’s critique or central metaphor/allegory (if there is one)? 
• How will you make sure they don’t feel gimmicky?

While creatures like dragons, ghosts, and aliens exist externally in the fantasy world, fantasy elements can also be internal. Scripts that focus on internal conflict may rely heavier on psychological devices, like daydreams or hallucinations, to deliver their critiques. 

Psychological devices give viewers a glimpse into a character’s head and add complexity to a social satire. Such devices are particularly useful in a script that satirizes an internal process, like imagination as an escape from the mundanity of daily life in THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY . 

In the context of this article, a psychological device refers to any narrative element that personifies or visually represents an internal mental process.

• In FIGHT CLUB, *spoiler alert* the narrator’s alter ego is a walking, talking character (portrayed by a separate actor) in the story. 
• Adolf Hitler is a young boy’s imaginary friend in JOJO RABBIT , which satirizes the nazi regime. The film employs the psychological device to make a commentary on learned hatred and brainwashing. 
• THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY portrays the titular character’s daydreams in a series of adventure sequences. 

Psychological devices will not work for every social satire, but they might be worth exploring if your script delves deep into an individual’s psyche. There are countless internal processes to satirize: greed, jealousy, prejudice… the list goes on.

Based on your topic, determine if a psychological device would make your critique more interesting or effective. If so, which device will you use (dreams, visions, alter egos, intrusive thoughts, etc.) and how will you visually represent it?

After reading this section, hopefully you have an idea of whether you want to use metaphors, fantasy elements, psychological devices, or all or neither in your script. But the devices you use to satirize your topic may ultimately depend on the subgenre of social satire you’re writing. 

Social Satire Subgenres

Social satires can range from straightforward comedies like ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT and BORAT to horror flicks like BAD HAIR.

Other common subgenres include:

• Thrillers –  THE HUNT satirizes the divide between liberals and conservatives in the United States.
• Science Fiction – See BLACK MIRROR, DISTRICT 9, and GET OUT. 
• Romance – Think PRIDE AND PREJUDICE , which satirizes the idea that women should only care about marrying rich. 
• War – DR. STRANGELOVE , a Cold War satire, and JOJO RABBIT both critique the follies of war. 

Determining the subgenre of your social satire is a crucial part of the writing process. 

In most cases, a film’s subgenre influences – and often even dictates – its tone. Think of a typical horror film; its tone is likely scary or unsettling. One of the beauties of social satires, however, is that their overall tone does not have to match the tone of their subject matter.

In fact, there usually should be some degree of tonal mismatch. For instance, JOJO RABBIT is essentially a comedy about the Second World War. 

Such incongruity draws attention to the film’s central critique and is typically a major characteristic of social satires.

Most social satires are a blend of multiple genres, which further complicates their tone.

• PARASITE is a thriller with hints of comedy. 
• GET OUT is a combination of horror, science fiction, and comedy. 
• THE LOBSTER is a dark, comedic, science fiction romance. 
• SORRY TO BOTHER YOU is both a comedy and a fantasy. 

Genre is a tool that facilitates the marketing process and also gives viewers or readers an idea of what to expect from a particular film or script. 

People generally posit that a script should have a clear-cut genre so producers know how to market it. However, social satires flip this notion on its head. A mix of genres is not only acceptable, but it often elevates a social satire script.

Contrasting genres create a juxtaposition between the expected and the unexpected. In a social satire, the unexpected elements are typically the comedic ones. For example, viewers expect a horror film like GET OUT to be scary, but its humor may catch people by surprise. 

Some films transition from one genre to another, which can also be a pleasant surprise. Think SORRY TO BOTHER YOU, which unexpectedly veers into the fantasy realm, or PARASITE, which transitions from a mildly comedic heist movie to a full-fledged thriller. 

The blending of genres adds depth to a critique and keeps viewers on their toes. So think about which genres you might combine to maximize your critique’s efficacy.  

But although your social satire may be a mixture of genres, it’s still important to pinpoint who your target audience is. 

If GET OUT’s target audience was wealthy white conservative retirees, it would be an entirely different film. 

Instead, director Jordan Peele said GET OUT is primarily aimed toward black audiences – a demographic who is more likely to understand the film’s references, appreciate its critique of racism, and relate to the characters’ struggles. 

Knowing your audience is a crucial aspect of writing an effective social satire. Its efficacy may even rest on its target audience. For instance, a Trump-era satire that is exclusively targeted at liberal college students likely won’t turn many heads or change many opinions. 

While writing your social satire, ponder the following questions: 

• Who is my target audience? Is it a broad group of people or a more specific population? Are there elements of my critique that will be lost on certain audiences?
• Is my target audience of the same demographic as the people I’m critiquing? If so, how will I open their eyes to an issue without coming off as overly condescending or offensive? 
• Does my critique feature language, characters, situations, and conflicts that are relevant to my intended audience? 

It’s important to include story elements, references, and overall themes that feel applicable and pertinent to your viewers. However, your goal should also be to appeal to as many people as possible. So if your target audience is narrow, try to think of ways to broaden it. 

Perhaps you can add characters of varying demographics, play around with different narrators/point of views, or even sprinkle in references that people outside of your target audience might understand. 

Anything that broadens your audience – without sacrificing the integrity of your critique, of course – will ultimately benefit your social satire script. 

Social satires use irony, exaggeration, ridicule and/or humor to critique society or human nature. They typically balance multiple genres and tones to create an altogether unique viewing experience. 

Remember, social satires should still be entertaining despite how heavy their underlying critique may be. In fact, the blend of genres and use of absurdism make social satires one of the most entertaining genres of film. 

The most successful social satires balance humor with seriousness, surface-level plot with deeper meaning, and absurdism with realism. Balance is key, but it’s also important to be bold in your critique. Satire is all about making a statement.

Follow the tips in this article and you’ll be ready to make yours.

Your topic should be relevant to the current state of the world. If the issue you’re critiquing is on the broader end of the spectrum, other story elements should add nuance to your script. 

To be considered a social satire, a film must feature at least one of the following elements: irony, exaggeration, ridicule, and humor. 

How a social satire delivers its critique is as important as the topic of the critique. Metaphors, allegories, fantasy elements, and psychological devices are all potential ingredients of a thought-provoking critique. 

Most social satires are a mix of multiple subgenres, which makes for a complex tone. The blend of genres and tonal mismatch keep audiences on their toes and create a juxtaposition that highlights the film’s critique. 

Most social satires are a mix of multiple subgenres, which makes for a complex tone. The blend of genres and tonal mismatch keeps audiences on their toes and creates a juxtaposition that highlights the film’s critique. 

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This article was written by Alissa Evans and edited by IS Staff .

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• Literary Terms
• When & How to Write Satire
• Definition & Examples

How to Write Satire

Because satire is such a diverse category, there’s no simple end-to-end guide to writing it. But the first step is always to come up with an idea or target. In order to make people think critically about a subject, you have to have something to write about first. Maybe there’s something going on in contemporary politics that you find absurd, or maybe it’s the way people talk about politics that you want to make fun of. Or, it might be something on a smaller level – something about the “politics” of your school, team, or family might be worth satirizing.

As in all other forms of writing, it’s important to remember that you don’t need to have everything worked out in advance. If you’re curious about something, or bothered by it, and you feel compelled to say something, then do so. Always remember that you’ll learn as you write, and the process of writing your satire may help you see more clearly what it is that you want to write about. Through a gradual process of writing and revising, you’ll keep noticing new ideas about your target, and eventually you may be able to craft a satire that makes people laugh and, at the same time, changes the way they think.

When to use Satire

Be careful using satire in school assignments! Most teachers and professors are accustomed to seeing straightforward essays , and they may not notice (or appreciate) your attempt at satire. Some teachers, however, feel exactly the opposite way. Be careful, and if you’re not sure, you can always ask. In creative writing, something similar applies – if you’re using satire in a school project, it’s best to be sure the teacher is OK with it.

Outside of school, however, satire can be an excellent way to make a point about any social issue – no matter how big or small.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

Satire Definition

What is satire? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

Satire is the use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone. Public figures, such as politicians, are often the subject of satire, but satirists can take aim at other targets as well—from societal conventions to government policies. Satire is an entertaining form of social commentary, and it occurs in many forms: there are satirical novels, poems, and essays, as well as satirical films, shows, and cartoons. Alec Baldwin's impersonation of Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live is an example of satire.

Some additional key details about satire:

• Satire is a bit unusual as a literary term because it can be used to describe both a literary device and the specific genre of literature that makes use of the device. Just like a comedy is comedic because it uses comedy, a satire is satirical because it uses satire. For most of this entry, the word "satire" will be used refer to the device, not the genre.
• Satire often coincides with the use of other literary devices, such as irony , malapropism , overstatement , understatement , juxtaposition , or parody .
• Though most satires seek to draw laughter, there are many unfunny or even dark examples of satire, such as George Orwell's Animal Farm or Bret Easton Ellis's American Psycho , which criticize communist societies and capitalist societies, respectively.

How to Pronounce Satire

Here's how to pronounce satire: sa -tire

Satire as Literary Device vs. Satire as Genre

There are many novels, plays, and other works of literature that fall into the genre of satire. These works are all characterized by their consistent and sustained satirical attacks on their various targets. For instance, Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn satirizes the hypocrisies of pre-Civil-War society in the American South, especially its traditions of racism and slavery.

But satire is not only found in literature that falls into the broader genre of satire. To the contrary, satire is a device that can be used in many types of writing and art. For instance, a 2017 production of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in New York City came under criticism for costuming Caesar (who gets assassinated in the play) in a business suit and bright red tie that closely resembled the standard garb of President Donald Trump. While the play Julius Caesar is not itself a satire, this costuming decision added an element of satire to the play, since it equated the despotic almost-Roman-emperor with an American president whom some have criticized as having tyrannical impulses of his own.

Satire and Humor

Satirists use humor not only to to ridicule their subjects, but also to gain the attention and trust of their readers. While readers might not always respond to a highly-conceptual, nuanced argument for change laid out in a dense manifesto or academic essay, they can easily and enjoyably recognize societal problems targeted by satirical writing. Some scholars have argued that the popular appeal of satire helps in bringing about actual social reform, since the use of humor makes it easier to disseminate political and societal critiques more widely.

However, humor is not a required element of satire. George Orwell's Animal Farm is one of the more famous satires ever written, but few people find humor in it—and in fact, many people find it to be a deeply unsettling and not-at-all funny book.

Types of Satire

Traditionally, scholars have divided satire into two main categories: Horatian and Juvenalian satire. These labels are derived from the names of the renowned Roman satirists Horace and Juvenal, who originated each type. A third, less common type of satire is Menippean satire, named after Menippus, the Greek cynic and satirist. These labels are more of a classical framework for literary critics rather than a strict set of guidelines that all modern satires must follow, but they are worth reviewing because they can help make clear the wide variety of forms that satire can take.

• Alexander Pope's poem The Rape of the Lock is an example of Horatian satire that gently mocks the English upper class for its vanity and dim-wittedness.
• George Orwell's Animal Farm is a Juvenalian satire that isn't particularly funny. It ridicules communist governments for their total lack of equality.
• Though Alec Baldwin's portrayal of President Trump on Saturday Night Live can have its lighter moments, the bulk of his satire pointedly criticizes Trump, perhaps with the intent of shaming the president into altering his course or of mobilizing citizens to work against Trump's goals and policies.
• Menippean satire is less common than Juvenalian or Horatian satire, though it's the oldest type of satire. Menippean satires target mindsets or worldviews instead of targeting specific people. There is considerable overlap between Horatian and Menippean satire, since both often target people's stupidity or vices rather than targeting specific people, though the tone of Menippean satire is often harsher, like Juvenalian satire.

Literary Devices Used in Satire

Satire often depends on other literary devices to help it achieve its effect. Below is a list of some of the most common devices that satirists employ when mocking their subjects. Keep in mind that these devices are not specific types of satire—they're just devices that are commonly used as a part of satire (the device), or in satire (the genre).

• Verbal irony refers to the use of words to express something other than their literal meaning. This type of irony depends on a disconnect between what is said and what is meant or what is true—so satirists often use irony to suggest that a speaker is too much of a fool to understand a situation or, worse, a liar. Imagine if a public official told a group of citizens, "There's nothing to worry about!" right after a dam had broken before their very eyes. This would make for an effective satire of a government's careless response to a natural disaster.
• An anachronism is a person or thing that belongs to a time period other than the one during which a piece of writing is set. Satirists might use anachronism to demonstrate how out of touch a subject is with his or her society. For example, if the same public official in the example above told a 21st-century crowd not to worry because steamboats would come to rescue them, readers would understand that the implication was that officials were either too incompetent or too clueless to resolve the problem.
• Parody is the imitation of a literary style for humorous effect. Satirical authors use parody to attack literary conventions and traditional forms of rhetoric, often by exaggerating the key characteristics of the genre until they seem ridiculous or nonsensical. For example, in the prologue to Miguel de Cervantes' classic novel, Don Quixote , Cervantes satirizes the pompous literary conventions in his contemporary Spain by creating his own over-the-top imitations of the elaborate poems that other authors commonly cited in the prologues to their works. Other writers of the time cited such poems to impress readers and project a sense of authority, but Cervantes' parodies make clear that those other writers are merely pretentious and ridiculous.
• Understatement is downplaying something's size, significance, or quality. This device is useful to satirists because, like irony, it can often be used to portray a speaker as deceptive or foolish. If a politician understates the severity of his or her actions (e.g., "I don't think starting a war we couldn't win was the best decision"), it underscores just how ineffective and uncritical someone in a position of power can be.
• Overstatement is the exaggeration of something's size, significance, or quality. This device can also be used to underscore a speaker's shaky grasp on the reality of any given situation. A politician might overstate the extent of his or her achievements ("This was the best bill ever passed"), so satirists use the device to expose the disconnect between what someone says and the reality of the situation.
• Juxtaposition is a literary device in which an author places two things next to each other to highlight the contrast between them. In satirical writing, juxtaposition is especially effective when the combination is unexpected. For example, Seth Grahame-Smith's popular parody novel, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, inserts zombies into the genteel world of Jane Austen's 19th-century England. Grahame-Smith could be said to be using juxtaposition to satirize either the propriety of Bennet's society, the ubiquity of zombies in American popular culture, or both.
• Malapropism is the humorous and usually unintentional use of a word in the place of a similar-sounding one. Because these speech errors have the potential to be embarrassing, satirists may portray people as fools by giving them malapropistic lines.

Satire Examples

You can find examples of satire in most art forms, because artists who are critical of their societies may wish to bring about reform or simply to entertain their audiences by mocking familiar people or institutions.

Satire in Literature

There has been a long tradition of satirical novels that criticize and poke fun at all aspects of both society and humanity more generally.

Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels

In this example from Chapter Four of Gulliver's Travels , Swift satirizes the historically troubled relationship between Catholics and Protestants in England, recreating the conflict as a battle over the correct way to eat eggs:

It began upon the following Occasion. It is allowed on all Hands, that the primitive way of breaking Eggs, before we eat them, was upon the larger End: But his present Majesty's Grand-father, while he was a Boy, going to eat an Egg, and breaking it according to the ancient Practice, happened to cut one of his Fingers. Whereupon the Emperor his Father published an Edict, commanding all his Subjects, upon great Penaltys, to break the smaller End of their Eggs. The People so highly resented this Law, that our Histories tell us there have been six Rebellions raised on that accoun t; wherein one Emperor lost his Life, and another his Crown. These civil Commotions were constantly fomented by the Monarchs of Blefuscu; and when they were quelled, the Exiles always fled for Refuge to that Empire . It is computed, that eleven thousand Persons have, at several times, suffered Death, rather than submit to break their Eggs at the smaller End.

While the battle between the two types of egg-eaters is clearly ridiculous—those who fight in it would rather die than eat their eggs "incorrectly"—Swift here is actually taking a jab at the religious quarrels that have played a major role in English politics for hundreds of years by recasting these disputes as frivolous and arbitrary. Swift makes it clear that he's satirizing religious conflicts in England with an allusion to the religious revolts that claimed the life of King Charles I in 1625 and caused his heir, James II, to flee to France. By juxtaposing the king's dramatic escape with the trivial law that led to it, Swift is mocking the seriousness of the ongoing feud.

Satire in Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock

In the Third Canto of The Rape of the Lock , Pope satirizes the vanity of his fellow Englishmen, describing a minor incident (in which a woman loses a lock of hair) as an epic event.

Sudden he view'd, in spite of all her art, An earthly lover lurking at her heart. Amazed, confused, he found his power expired, Resign'd to fate , and with a sigh retired. The peer now spreads the glittering forfex wide, To enclose the lock; now joins it, to divide. E'en then, before the fatal engine closed, A wretched Sylph too fondly interposed; Fate urged the shears , and cut the Sylph in twain (But airy substance soon unites again), The meeting points the sacred hair dissever From the fair head, for ever, and for ever!

Here Pope alludes to a real-life episode in which Robert Petre stole a lock of hair from his love interest, Arabella Fermor. Pope satirizes the minor event by inflating its importance to epic proportions: he makes reference to Sylphs, which are mythological creatures who intervene in moments of crisis. Additionally, Pope overstates the male lover's frustration and the extent to which Fate played a role in the incident (the minor theft of a single curl). The repetition of "for ever" in the final line only heightens the humor of the situation: the hair will obviously grow back in a short amount of time. These lines are gentle jabs at his peers' fixation on appearances.

Additional Works of Satire in Literature

Some additional famous satirical works of literature, and their targets, are:

• Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Pre-civil-war Southern society, in particular its racism)
• American Psycho (Consumer capitalist American society of the 1980s)
• Animal Farm (Communist in general and the Soviet Union in particular)
• Arms and the Man (Romantic ideals, particularly about love and war)
• Candide (Every powerful institution, from the Church to the military, of 18th century Europe)
• Catch-22 (The U.S. military)
• Don Quixote (Among many other things, fictional books about chivalrous heroes that were popular when Cervantes wrote Don Quixote )
• Gulliver's Travels (English society, and humans in general)
• A Modest Proposal (English society, particularly in its dealings with Ireland, which at the time was under English control)

Satire in Film and Television

Satire is popular on television, especially on late-night talk shows like Saturday Night Live and The Late Night Show with Stephen Colbert , where hosts regularly target politicians and celebrities who have been in the news recently. Ssome famous satirical movies and their targets are:

• Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (the Cold War, American geopolitics, the military industrial complex, and nuclear proliferation)
• Deadpool (Marvel superheroes, particularly their straight-laced style)
• The Wolf of Wall Street (American capitalists, in particular their lavish lifestyles and prodigious hedonism)
• Happiness (American suburban life, particularly its treatment of sexuality)
• Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (English society, particularly its propriety and religious convictions)
• Zoolander (The fashion industry)
• M*A*S*H (The U.S. Military)

Satire in Political Cartoons

For centuries, cartoonists have used satire to raise awareness of political issues and to belittle people in positions of power. Often, they present extremely unflattering portraits of public figures, with exaggerated facial features and outrageous outfits to emphasize how loathsome they are in the eyes of the artist and readers.

Satire in James Gillray's The Plumb-pudding in Danger

Published in 1805, this cartoon depicts the French emperor and British prime minister battling for bigger portions of a globe-shaped dessert. Gillray satirizes French and British political ambitions by recasting the two leaders' competition for global dominance as a fight at the dinner table. While leaders often present their expansion efforts as being for the good of the nation, Gillray links their desire for new territory to their endless appetite for personal fame and power.

Why Do Writers Choose to Write Satire?

Some authors write satire to raise awareness of social problems and apply pressure on the individuals or institutions responsible for creating them. However, satires don't have to explicitly call for social change—they may just be poking fun at human nature for the sake of entertainment. Writers can use satire for a variety of reasons:

• To bring attention to issues that might otherwise be overlooked.
• To advocate for social reform.
• To provide insight into human weaknesses.
• To amuse readers by bringing powerful figures down a notch.
• To invite readers to reflect on their own weaknesses and shortcomings.
• To mock literary or stylistic conventions.
• To recast strongly-held convictions as harmful and/or meaningless.
• To make light of, or quell anxiety about, unpleasant situations by making them fun.

Other Helpful Satire Resources

• The Wikipedia Page on Satire: A discussion of satire that focuses primarily on the genre's classical origins and role in politics.
• Canyon Crest Academy's List of Satire and Satirical Devices: Though some of the devices aren't fully fleshed out, this is a concise list of the most common literary devices used in satirical writing.
• Culture Trip's List of The 15 Most Influential Political Cartoons of All Time: While Culture Trip doesn't specifically refer to these cartoons as satire, that's what many of these political cartoons are — the cartoons make light of public figures or societal norms.
• List of Satirical Novels: An extensive list of satirical novels from Wikipedia.

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How to Use Satire in Your Writing

5-minute read

• 27th December 2022

Satire is a popular genre that most readers are familiar with, but it can be difficult to use effectively.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide to using satire in your writing , complete with an explanation of the concept and our top tips for making satire work for you.

What is Satire?

Satire is the concept of humorously criticizing an aspect of everyday life in order to promote change or discussion.

It is a literary genre and device originating in ancient Rome. Today, satire is widely used in literature, art, and pop culture as a form of social commentary . Typically, the best satire uses sarcasm, irony, exaggeration, and humor to make its point.

Some famous examples of satire include:

●  Jonathan Swift’s “ A Modest Proposal ,” an essay that satirically suggests that the poor should sell their children to the rich as food.

●  Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 film Dr. Strangelove , which satirizes the politics of the Cold War.

●  Saturday Night Live , a TV comedy series that parodies various political and celebrity figures.

Despite being a common literary device, satire is very easy to get wrong.

With that in mind, here are our five tips for writing satire:

• Know where you stand on the issue.
• Mimic other writing styles.
• Make use of irony and sarcasm.
• Push things to the extreme.
• Don’t forget the humor.

Ready to learn more about writing satire? Read on below!

1. Know Where You Stand on the Issue

Most satire is directed towards a particular target. The topic of a piece of satire can be just about anything, including:

●  Political figures

●  Celebrities

●  Current events

●  Controversies

●  Modern life and society

To write satire well, though, you need to do more than just pick an individual or issue that’s popular at the moment.

Your subject should be something that you have a particular opinion on or have strong feelings about.

Before you start writing, identify your stance on the topic. This will give your satire direction and help you create an overall point or message beyond simply making fun of the topic at hand.

2. Parody Other Writing Styles

Many works of satire mimic popular writing styles. This type of imitation is known as parody, which is often exempt from certain copyright laws .

Jonathan Swift’s novel Gulliver’s Travels , for example, is a satirical take on travel writing. Satirical websites such as The Onion and Reductress mimic different styles of online journalism.

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Your writing style will likely depend on the topic of your work. If you were writing a piece of satire about modern consumerism, for example, it may make sense to present as an advertisement:

You could even satirize ideas about writing itself, perhaps by writing a deliberately bad poem .

Before you decide to parody a certain style, though, make sure you are familiar with that style’s conventions and tone . This will help make your satire convincing and allow your readers to identify the type of writing that you are parodying.

3. Make Use of Irony

Satire relies heavily on a literary device known as irony.

There are several different types of irony , which usually involve saying the opposite of what is actually meant.

You can use irony in your writing by:

●  Making note of any contrasts in your subject (for example, the differences between a person’s words and actions.)

●  Highlighting a subject’s negative qualities by presenting them as something positive:

●  Subverting your reader’s expectations of what they are familiar with.

4. Push Things to the Extreme

Part of what makes satire effective is the use of hyperbole , or the act of exaggerating something for dramatic effect.

By starting out with a real-world thought, argument, or action and then taking it to a ridiculous extreme, you can draw attention to its flaws.

To use hyperbole in your writing, start by listing the defining qualities of your subject, its biggest flaws, or the things that stand out most to you.

Then, think about how you can exaggerate those qualities in a way that illustrates the point you are trying to make.

Make sure to choose only one or two things to exaggerate or highlight; too many, and your satire will lose focus.

5. Don’t Forget the Humor

It might sound obvious, but satire isn’t satire without humor.

When writing on a subject you’re passionate about, it’s easy to let feelings like anger take over.

But while the point of satire is to criticize a subject in order to promote change, it should do so by making that subject humorous. Failing to do so can result in your writing becoming overly negative, cruel, or difficult to read.

Make sure you strike the correct balance between critique and humor.

If you’re not sure you’ve achieved the right tone, ask a friend, coworker, or professional editor to review your work for you.

Here at Proofed, our proofreading team can make sure your satire reads as it should. Submit a trial document and get your first 500 words proofread for free.

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There is no such a student who has never been assigned to write a college satire essay when getting education. I am not an exception! Despite the fact that I have never had serious problems with academic writing before and I have a great sense of humor, I must admit that the satirical essay turned out not as easy as ABC. It wasn't much fun-I had to pull an all-nighter to choose a favorite topic on some social issues that would be interesting to most people in America; search for the relevant information everywhere, including media; find good examples, and finally write my work according to a certain structure. To tell the truth, the thought to order the ready satire essay from professional writers has crossed my mind because this kind of task seemed to be the most difficult one in my life. I had neither time nor the knowledge about its distinctive features. However, I decided not to email custom writers and take this challenge on my own as I didn't get used to giving up. Now, I am here sharing my personal satire writing experience with everyone who is just going to deal with this kind of the written task.  

A Complete Guide on How to Write a Satire Essay

Before I got started with my essay, I have checked a large number of funny satire essay examples belonging to different categories. While reading, it seemed to me that I would cope with this assignment easily. However, I was mistaken. In general, essay structure looked like the one other essays have but at the same time, I understood that this kind of paper has its own distinctive features and peculiarities. I had to check a lot of guides on how to write a satire essay before I got started with mine. All of them said that it's very important to find interesting controversial satire essy topics about some political, cultural, social issues. Usually knowing language on a good level is very helpful so it is better to attend English Courses if you don't have enough knowledge. Due to the fact that I didn't know much about the two last spheres, I decided to write about the famous Donald Trump. You will be able to check my piece of writing later. Before you look at the satire paper itself, you should have a clear picture of how your paper must look like in terms of structural elements. I would like to share my personal experience in structuring the satire paper in accordance with the required instructions given by my school teacher. Now, I am going to tell you how to write a satire essay the right way.  

• An Introduction I think that all of you know that the first steps you should take are to think of a killer title, which I had to change for several times after having finished and to write an introduction. I've understood that if you want to attract the reader's attention, you need to start either with the intriguing question that your reader would like to answer, or some figures.

For example, if you are going to craft an essay about the well-known politician, - find some interesting facts about his/her life and career, start your work with some shocking information. Don't forget to include a powerful thesis statement at the end of your introduction. Write just 1-2 sentences keeping in mind that they must be informative and strong, expressing the main idea, and explaining to the reader what you are going to discuss in your work. I had to rewrite my introduction 3 or 5 times until I made it perfect. Every time when rereading I tried to imagine that I was a reader. This trick will help you to understand how the paper beginning sounds, whether it is able to hook or not.

• The Main Body The process of writing the main body took me much time - a day or two if to be exact. This is due to the fact that this is a part where you are expected to provide all information on the chosen subject.

First, I had to find all the relevant materials and select those which could add some value to my paper. I used a lot of different information sources, including the Internet, published and electronic books online, magazine articles, blog posts, and a lot of various publications. I have checked every place where I could find something about Trump. I chose interesting pieces of information, gathered them like a puzzle, made sure that the main part of my essay was creative, original, and logical. Remember that it is better to stick to the 5-6 paragraph structure, which means that the main body will take the major part of your work-3-4 paragraphs. Use thematic essay examples while writing your task. The exact volume will depend on the number of facts you are going to use in your paper. The most difficult thing is to present the facts so that the reader feels where exactly you have used exaggerations, hyperbole, and another language device to poke fun.

• The Conclusion As any other kind of academic paper, a satire essay should end with the brief conclusion. I wrote a short summary of all the ideas that I have included in the main body, and then added a couple of sentences explaining the reader my point of view and the reasons why I consider my work valuable for the today's generation. Can't come up with a thought-provoking conclusion? Rely on StudyCrumb's essay conclusion generator and get a nice ending made in seconds.

Check Good Satire Essay Examples Before You Get Started

Have you wanted to see my satire essay? Here, you are! Have a closer look at the piece of writing I have submitted and got an A-grade! 

The eccentric billionaire has become a symbol of anti-establishment sentiments that have swept the United States in the recent years. Having crushed the orderly number of forecasts of numerous experts, and the results of opinion polls, a candidate from the Republican Party Donald Trump won the presidential elections in the United States. The man who promised to "drain the Washington swamp" won. But will the hopes of his supporters be justified, when Trump as the 45th president of America will take decisions in the White House? While the United States was counting votes in the presidential election, and the scales were becoming more confident in favor of Donald Trump, the website of the state migration service in neighboring Canada was working intermittently. These disruptions seem to have arisen from the fact that many Americans have decided to examine the conditions of moving to the land of the maple leaf. The number of requests in Google about how to move to Canada, also sharply increased. According to one of the pre-election polls, 28% of Americans considered the option of leaving for Canada in the event of Trump's victory. They said that the US residents had a threat to go to Canadians - this is almost traditional national fun for the presidential elections. But it is unlikely that this "fun" was so serious before. Several American celebrities - from B. Streisand and Cher to Samuel L. Jackson and Whoopi Goldberg – threatened that if Trump would become their President, they would "choose freedom": go to Spain, to South Africa, or to Jupiter. In the information battles of the pre-election race against Donald Trump heavy artillery was used. The main caliber was hit in two directions. First: Trump is a misogynist and a womanizer. Second: Trump is a puppet of the Kremlin. Donald Trump himself played along with his critics on the "Russian" direction saying "I think I will get along well with Vladimir Putin. I just think so”. Trump shared his thoughts when he announced his intention to become a president. A few months later, he said that if he would be elected, it is unlikely that there will be problems in relations with Russia. Trump gratefully accepted the praise addressed to him by Putin: "It's always an honor to be praised by a man so respected in his own country and abroad. I always believed that together, Russia and the United States could defeat terrorism and restore peace. We could also trade with each other, not to mention other benefits." The businessman and showman, producer and politician are 4 in 1 and all these personalities are in one "great and terrible person" Trump. The showman, perhaps, is the key word in this series. Donald for many years was an active organizer of the Miss USA competitions. His cameo can be seen in several movies and television series. Trump entered the history of the American show business as the host and co-producer of the reality show The Apprentice on the NBC channel. So, after the Hollywood actor Ronald Reagan, a TV star appeared in the White House. Trump is a one hundred percent challenge to the system, which it must respond to in order to get out of the current state, where Trump appeared.

Want a similar satire paper? Contact StudyCrumb and get professional writing help from experts. 

Top-20 A-Grade Satire Essay Topics for You to Choose From

• The smartest human of all the times.
• Childish labor helps businesses to flourish.
• D. Trump is the most famous President who is free in his self-expression.
• H. Clinton always takes right decisions.
• Trump and Putin have “friendly” relationships.
• Are the US citizens happy with the President selection?
• Comment on cultural differences and their influence on relationships between students.
• Media: the best invention or the worst thing ever?
• Today, people learn about their lives from the morning newspapers.
• All harmful things have a great taste.
• The best president in the US history.
• Doing nothing is fashionable today.
• A robot works better than real people.
• Politicians and comedians have much in common.
• Money values in the modern society.
• Fast food – fast weight.
• Satire in English literature.
• A family business is the worst thing that may happen to the family members.
• Living alone is much better than with anyone else.
• Boring teacher-bored students.

Choose one of the above-mentioned satire essay topics, follow the tips for writing a satire essay, and I guarantee that you’ll get a high score! Never give up and treat the satire essay assignment as a fun thing to do demonstrating your unique sense of humor! Good luck!

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

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How To Write A Satire Essay

This article will guide you on how to write a satire essay in detail and will explain what a satire essay is as well as show you some examples. The text uses satire to make you understand its main objective. Assignments on this topic are known to be the most challenging for most students. In these kinds of essays, students need to show their expertise in content and subject area. Similarly, they should use humor to point absurdities found in our real-life situations . Although satire essays are full of humor, there are those without or minimal instances of humor. Most of them are expressed in a serious tone which shows that readers should take them seriously.

There are advantages of writing these kinds of essays more so to those individuals wishing to master the art of writing. Once you have learned how to infuse irony, humor, and hyperbole, you will discover them not only being fun but also easy to write.

• Learning your Task

It’s crucial for you to understand every aspect of your writing assignment. You should be in a position to point out the following:

If your homework intends to satirize a given cultural topic

• The length of the essay

Our formatting guide will help you select the right format to use while writing your assignment. You might be in a dilemma not knowing whether to write your paper in first, second or third person point of view. For those who have never read satire essays before, you should consider reading the work of Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal who is well known for these types of pieces. If you are wondering where to find them, then consider the site “The Onion” which usually deals with the topics in politics.

While writing your assignment, incorporating satire enables you to write the essay in a first person’s point of view. This makes you point out issues in the society especially those concerning society and culture. Using an example where this article points women’s demeaning which is being explained by Trump’s Hollywood tapes leaked information (“Satire Essay,” 2019). Meme proposing that female gender should not oppose what amen say suggest that they are annoyed by his utterances. This is clearly shown through the work of E.L. James’s Fifty Shades of Gray showing a romantic relationship between female and male where the male is in total control and the woman is expected to submit to him.

Topics of Satire Essay

When writing a satire essay on any topics, it’s good to point out the significant events of culture and politics. The most common ideas you should consider while writing:

• Border Walls
• Hillary Clinton
• Donald Trump
• Barack Obama
• Immigration reform

A list of satirical topics is endless and if you are unsure of what to select contact our support team who are ready to help you any time.

Brainstorming of Any Satirical Essay

Any good essay writing process begins with brainstorming. Brainstorming is a useful tool for all essay writers that plays a significant role even in writing a satirical essay (“Satire Essay,” 2019). While there are familiar writing outlines employed in the initial stages of planning, there are other methods that work perfectly well when it comes to satire writing tasks. One of the tools that are commonly used and we like most is the use of a bubble map. A bubble map is a simple tool that would be used starting from elementary schools onwards. The tool associates words in line with your topic of interest. For instance, if you decide to write a bubble map for any prominent figure in the society say, Donald Trump, you will diversify and use words like businessman, father, married, adulterer, divorced, New York City, orange, billionaire, bombastic, real estate, and home alone.

You can see from the above bubble map how those words bring out elements that are associated with Donald Trump. When it comes to descriptive essays on a dog, there would be some words in the middle like the name of that given dog (“Satire Essay,” 2019). When using the bubble map, you should be aware that the words you choose should not be your own words you decide to use while writing your essay. The words used should aid in exposing an issue and further directs on the ways of approaching it satirically.

Thesis Statements in Satire Essays

After deciding on the right topic, you should then come up with a good thesis statement for your essay. You may be wondering what a thesis statement is. Thesis Statement is merely a road map of your piece that is always one or two sentences. It helps your readers understand the primary objective of your essay. Regardless of your essay type, the structure of your thesis statement always remains the same except in satire essay where it differs slightly. In satire essays, it is different unlike situations when one is proposing a real idea.

Below are some examples of Thesis Statements:

To ensure the safety of your jewelry, you need to be conspicuous on it, ensure valuable jewelry is stored in a vault or deposit box that is safe, also, do not travel with excessive jewelry than (Author: Kim Kardashian-West)

Having a successful marriage is extremely simple: you have to identify your second wife while married to your first wife and have more children with her before you get married. (Author: Brad Pitt)

From the above examples, it is clear that the most satirical element in the essay is the individual writing it. Also, the target audience can be part of the satire. When Jimmy Carter wrote to Trump a letter informing him not to worry of offending women is satirical in a way since both Jimmy and Trump are respected figures in the United States of America.  The case of Bill Clinton is writing a letter to Barrack Obama to guide him on how to be a good husband while in the White House is Irony in itself. This is because Obama is well known for his excellence in family matters and he is perceived to be an excellent husband too. On the other hand, Bill had a lousy legacy as he had an affair outside marriage while in office. Finally, criticisms of Maddona of Lady Gaga of publicity or even Peter Rose Criticizing Tom utilize all aspects of double-satire.

Resources for Satirical Essays

A wide range of satirical essays is based on events happening in the current century. Though citing them directly may not be compulsory at the moment, it is essential for you to know the real facts and issues that are associated with a given situation (“Satire Essay,” 2019). It is even ironical for you to identify the satiric news sites. In this modern time, this would be much more difficult to notice concerning political context. To avoid all these troubles, you need to be careful while selecting your topic and ensure your sources are unbiased and academically reliable.

It can be difficult finding a reliable source for your essay. To be sure you have the right sources, use the sources that are not more than three years old and from reputable publishers like newspapers, magazines, and .com and .org websites. However, you are free to use sources for more than three years old, but you should inform your readers of any change of information in the concerned period.

Additionally, you might have been discouraged to use sources like Wikipedia, Britannica, and Encyclopedia while doing your writing assignments. The advice is good as these sources are not regarded as reliable sources in the scholarly world. However, do not allow the ban to prevent you from using the references (“Satire Essay,” 2019). They can give an excellent overview of your topic and give you resources you can research for further information.  Google scholar is another great search engine that gives you an opportunity to limit the kind of resources you want to look at. With the above search engine, you can find either academic or scholarly articles and would support you in finding the best academic and scholarly writing.

Other generic sites like CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC are also good sources of information while writing satire essays. Also, you can make use of other local and major networks as they are good sources of news. The above news channels have programs that are not sources but are both social and political commentary. While using these shows, you need to be careful as they sometimes present information to the readers in a biased way or give unreliable information. As you write be aware of possible biased information especially when selecting your sources.

Citing your Sources

If you decide to incorporate all your resources in your satirical essay, you will have to cite all academic sources to back-up any claim you make on certain political styles. If your essay is based on actual dates, rare facts, and figures, you need to cite all your sources. In such cases, you will be directed on the formats to use, or you will have to decide on your own . The most commonly used academic citation styles for undergraduate students are the American Psychology Association (APA), modern language association (MLA), and Turabian or Chicago. Unless in your assignment there are clear instructions on the type of format to use, go for the writing style you understand best.

Examples of Satire Essays

As a student, it’s easy for you to digest a concept if you are given an example. Thus, our model will not only help you understand how you can write an amazing satirical essay but will also help you master how you can format your essays correctly. On our site, you will get an excellent satirical essay. Just fill in the order form.

We hope that after reading our article on satire and using our provided examples, you will be more confident than before to confront any satire essay throughout your academic journey. Even after reading our article and examples you might still encounter challenges right from topic selection to completing your essay . Remember Tutoriage writing service is here for you. We have a complete team of tutors ready to help you in any challenge you encounter in your writing process from topic selection to writing a flawless piece. To get more insight, go to our website.

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How to Write a Satirical Essay

Satirical essays use humor, hyperbole and irony to criticize or poke fun at a subject. They are often aimed at political candidates, celebrities or current events. While satirical essays primarily entertain readers, the satire writer often seeks to provide relevant, useful, eye-opening information. Understanding the techniques used for the style and the purpose of your content can help you learn to write satirically.

Choose a topic. Look for subject matter that is already ironic or ridiculous. Much like a caricature artist exaggerates the facial features of his subject, your goal is to bring out the absurdity in your topic. You might try looking in your Sunday paper at political cartoons to get ideas for subject matter.

Use hyperbole to make your point. Hyperbole is a literary device that exaggerates facts. It does not, however, mean lying. You need to stick to the facts, but use hyperbole creatively to highlight the absurdity behind them. An example line might be, "Andy Garbo drinks tons of coffee a year to make sure he keeps his stock in Folgers profitable." This is obvious hyperbole, but it's used to make an exaggerated point about Andy.

Use irony to present your ideas. Irony is the use of words or phrases to express the opposite of what you truly mean, or to express an incongruity between what someone expects and what actually occurs. A simple example of irony would be, "He's kind enough to steal from the poor to feed his pockets." The use of "kind enough" turns this into an ironic statement. Irony is a good tool to use in satirical essays because its sarcastic tone.

Aim for humor in your satirical essays. Not all satire is funny, but by pointing out the ridiculous elements of your topic, you can often bring people over to your way of thinking or make your point quicker. A lot of readers respond faster to humor, especially when you can make them see the absurdity the same way you do.

Things You'll Need

Carl Hose is the author of the anthology "Dead Horizon" and the the zombie novella "Dead Rising." His work has appeared in "Cold Storage," "Butcher Knives and Body Counts," "Writer's Journal," and "Lighthouse Digest.". He is editor of the "Dark Light" anthology to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Home — Essay Types — Satire Essay

Satire Essay Examples

Satire essay topics and satire essay ideas are boundless, allowing for creative expression in various formats and lengths. However, it's crucial to maintain a delicate balance, ensuring that humor does not transform into rudeness. Satire should be a lighthearted, even nurturing approach to highlighting the absurd or inappropriate aspects of a subject. The ultimate goal is to shed light on why something is shameful or incorrect.

To achieve this, writers often employ literary devices such as irony, allegory, hyperbole, and metaphors to invite the audience to read between the lines. Satire frequently conveys a message different from its surface meaning, so it's important to choose words carefully when using irony. The essence of satire lies in its ability to provoke thought and laughter simultaneously.

As you brainstorm satirical essay ideas and satirical essay topics, consider subjects that can be approached with a touch of wit and humor, while still highlighting important issues or absurdities in society. By doing so, you can create thought-provoking and entertaining pieces that captivate your audience while delivering a meaningful commentary on the world around us.

Popular Topics for Satire Essays

Explore a diverse array of thought-provoking and humorous subjects that serve as perfect topics for satire essays. These topics offer ample material for crafting witty and insightful satirical pieces.

• The Absurdity of Social Media Influencer Culture
• The Perils of Modern Dating Apps
• Corporate Jargon and Buzzword Overload
• The Bizarre World of Celebrity Obsession
• Analysis of The Television Show "The Office"
• The Ridiculousness of Fashion Trends
• Over-the-Top Fitness and Diet Fads
• The Hilarity of Political Campaign Promises
• The Exaggerated Culture of Political Correctness
• The Comedic Side of Student Loan Debts
• The Presentation of Products to Consumers in The Onion Magnasoles: Rhetorical Analysis"
• The Quirks of Office Politics and Office Etiquette

Satire Topics for High School Students

When seeking inspiration for satire essay topics, high school students or anyone else can benefit from exploring satire essay samples.These examples of satire topics for high school students can provide valuable insights into effective satirical techniques and help generate fresh and engaging ideas.

Literature:

• The Inexplicable Popularity of SparkNotes and CliffsNotes
• The Dramatic Overanalysis of Shakespearean Sonnets in English Class
• The Misadventures of Students Trying to Interpret Symbolism in Classic Novels
• Comparing The Construction of Satire Through Naiveté
• The Puzzling Fascination with Cliffhangers in Young Adult Fiction
• The Chronicles of the Overused Book Report Clichés
• The Hilarious World of High School Student Council Elections
• The Absurdity of School Cafeteria Politics and Lunchtime Alliances
• The Bizarre Election Promises Made by Class President Candidates
• The Satirical Take on History Class and Revisionist History
• The Comedy of Errors in Mock United Nations Debates
• The Comedic Chronicle of Historical Misinterpretations in Textbooks
• The Secret Lives of Historical Figures: A Satirical Exposé
• The Time-Traveling Adventures of History Class: When Studying the Past Gets Weird
• The Great Historical Conspiracy Theories: Aliens, Time Travelers, and Other Explanations
• The Absurdity of Students Reenacting Historical Battles with Water Balloons

These satire topics provide a humorous take on various aspects of high school life, making them relatable and entertaining for high school students.

Remember, satire is a powerful tool for social commentary and humor, so it's essential to use it responsibly and thoughtfully. By staying within the bounds of humor and wit, you can create compelling satire essays that entertain and enlighten your audience without resorting to negativity or insult.

Writing a satirical essay presents a unique challenge that stands apart from other forms of writing. This genre requires not only a deep understanding of the subject matter but also a keen sense of humor and the ability to see the world through a critical, often ironic lens. Satirical essays aim to highlight the absurdities, hypocrisies, and flaws in society, politics, or human behavior, using humor as a tool to provoke thought and encourage change.

Writing a satirical essay stands in sharp contrast to drafting research or proposal essays, each distinguished by their unique objectives and stylistic approaches. While research essays are anchored in a thorough investigation, presenting findings with academic rigor, and proposal essays outline detailed plans for future projects or studies, satirical essays carve out a niche that relies on wit, irony, and humor to critique and reflect upon societal norms, policies, and human behaviors.

Unlike research essays, which aim to contribute new knowledge to a specific field through systematic inquiry and analysis, satirical essays use exaggeration and satire to underscore the absurdity and flaws within those very topics or in broader societal issues. Where proposal essays are structured to persuade or seek approval for initiatives with logical argumentation and evidence-based benefits, satirical essays skewer proposed solutions or existing conditions, highlighting their shortcomings or the ironic realities that underpin them.

The essence of a satirical essay lies in its ability to disguise critique within humor, making it a unique vehicle for social commentary. It challenges readers to question and reconsider the status quo, using laughter as a tool for reflection, rather than straightforward persuasion or the presentation of empirical research. This distinct difference sets satirical essays apart, making them not just a form of entertainment but a powerful medium for conveying complex critiques in an accessible and engaging manner.

What is a Satire Essay

Satire is a literary technique that employs humor, irony, and sarcasm to criticize or mock various aspects of society, politics, or human behavior. If you’re looking for inspiration for your satire essays , consider exploring satire essay examples and existing satire essays on various topics.

Contrary to popular belief, a satire essay is not about getting angry or bitter as you write about politics or some social issues that must be explained. The trick here is to explore existing satire essay topics that would help you come up with ideas. If you have never written satire in the past, you may be already provided with a topic to start with. In simple terms, a satire essay must criticize some subject by making it in a smart way where you talk about issues like procrastination or being too greedy. It has to be fun and not turn into a sort of bullying. Always show due respect as you structure things, as it will help you provide an excellent paper.

The Art and Power of Satire

Satire is a versatile and influential form of expression, frequently employed by writers and comedians to address serious issues indirectly. Let’s examine how it works, why it’s so popular, and explore some satire writing examples for a better understanding.

Understanding Satirical Elements

Satire typically utilizes the following elements:

• Exaggeration : Satire often takes real-life situations and exaggerates them to absurd proportions. This technique draws attention to the flaws or absurdities of the subject.
• Irony : Irony is a cornerstone of satire. It involves saying one thing but meaning another, creating a humorous contrast.
• Sarcasm : The use of biting humor and cutting remarks is a trademark of satire. Sarcasm is a potent tool for satirists to convey their message.
• Parody : Satire often mimics the style of its subject matter, creating a humorous imitation that highlights the subject’s flaws.

Satire has been a potent tool throughout history, addressing issues from politics to social norms. Its effectiveness lies in its ability to entertain and provoke thought simultaneously.

5 Satire Writing Examples

• The “Smart” Home Assistant:   

In this satire piece, imagine a world where smart home assistants have become so intelligent that they start giving unsolicited advice, judging your life choices, and offering condescending remarks. It humorously highlights the overreliance on technology and the invasion of privacy in the digital age.

• The “Healthy” Fast Food Chain:

Explore a fictional fast-food restaurant that claims to serve healthy alternatives, but in reality, their salads are drenched in more calories than a burger, and their smoothies are packed with sugar. This satire pokes fun at the deceptive marketing tactics used by some food establishments.

• The “Eco-Friendly” Space Travel Company:

Imagine a future where space tourism companies claim to be eco-friendly while launching rockets that spew massive amounts of pollution into the atmosphere. This satirical piece highlights the hypocrisy of industries that prioritize profit over environmental concerns.

• The “Innovative” Social Media Platform:

Create a satire of a fictional social media platform that constantly introduces new features, each more intrusive and time-consuming than the last. This piece satirizes the addictive nature of social media and the never-ending quest for user engagement.

• The “Superhero” Government Agency:

Craft a story about a government agency tasked with solving everyday inconveniences rather than addressing real issues. This satire highlights the bureaucracy and inefficiency often associated with government institutions.

These satirical essay examples provide a glimpse into the world of satirical writing, where humor and wit are used to comment on various aspects of society, culture, and human behavior.

How to Start a Satire Essay

Speaking of satire essay structure , you must remember that it should resemble the rules of creative writing or narrative papers.

Here is what you can do as you are about to start with a satire essay:

• Introduction with a strong sentence hook where you introduce a fictional person or a problem. 
• Talk about why it’s bad and explain things by providing several examples that we all know well. 
• Talk about how to avoid the problem by using some ideas why this or that is wrong. 
• Tell a story or provide another example by making things fun. 
• Provide a conclusion paragraph by explaining why something is wrong or pose a moral lesson. 

Remember, satire is all about using humor and irony to critique and comment on various aspects of society or human behavior. These prompts should inspire you to create a satirical essay that engages and amuses your readers while offering a unique perspective on the chosen topic. Explore free critical analysis essays to improve your understanding of satire and enhance your writing skills further

Prompts for a Satirical Essays

Social Media and Technology:

•  The Social Media Obsession: Explore the absurdities of our society’s obsession with social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. How has it affected our lives, self-esteem, and relationships?
• The Endless Quest for the Perfect Selfie: Explore the humorous side of our society’s obsession with taking the perfect selfie. How far are people willing to go for that flawless Instagram post?

Health and Wellness:

• The Ridiculous World of Fad Diets: Satirize the never-ending cycle of fad diets and weight loss trends. Are these diets truly effective, or are they just empty promises?
• The Fast-Food Frenzy: Take a humorous approach to the culture of fast food, addressing issues like overindulgence, health consequences, and the strange allure of the drive-thru.

Society and Cultural Trends:

• The Culture of Political Correctness: Explore the concept of political correctness and how it sometimes goes to extremes, leading to hilariously awkward situations and language policing.
• The Fantasy of Reality TV: Explore the surreal world of reality television and the way it blurs the line between real life and scripted entertainment. How does it shape our perceptions of reality?

How to Write a Satire Essay

Here are the steps to help you write a satire essay effectively:

Satire Essay Writing Checklist

Take a look at our checklist for a satire essay and explore our free examples of satire essays . It’s always much better to find out what good satire essay structure must be like!

• You introduce your topic by explaining why a certain problem exists.
• You provide at least one example of a problem in real-life or describe a fictional character.
• Make sure that there is no anger or offense.
• You keep your tone in a narrative and follow an explanatory way.
• You provide a moral lesson in the final paragraph by explaining things as to “why and how”.
• You edit and proofread your satire essay by checking for logical words and transitions between the paragraphs.

Remember that satire is a form of social commentary, and while it is humorous, it should still convey a message or critique a particular aspect of society or the subject you’re addressing. Use your creativity and wit to craft a compelling satire essay that effectively communicates your perspective while entertaining your readers. Think about exploring satire books in classic literature to see what modern subjects can be suitable. 

10 Free Satire Essay Examples

Funny satire essay examples.

Satire it’s a powerful form of expression that allows writers to poke fun at the quirks and absurdities of our world while delivering insightful social criticism. But satire doesn’t always have to be serious or solemn; it can be downright hilarious! These humorous satirical essay examples are crafted with the sole purpose of making you laugh out loud while offering a satirical take on various aspects of society, culture, and human behavior. 

Famous Satirical Essay Examples 

Famous satirical essay examples showcase the remarkable ability of satire to address serious issues indirectly. Through humor, irony, and sarcasm, these essays provide a lens through which we can examine the absurdities of society, politics, and human behavior. They invite us to question the status quo and see the world through a new and often amusing perspective

These topics provide a starting point for creating famous satirical essays that engage with timeless themes while offering fresh and humorous perspectives on contemporary issues.

Modern Satirical Essay Examples

Modern satirical essay examples capture the spirit of our digitally interconnected world. From social media antics to the challenges of remote work, these essays take a humorous look at the experiences and dilemmas of the 21st century. They highlight the ways technology, politics, and culture intersect in our daily lives

Satire essay examples like the ones mentioned above demonstrate how humor can be a powerful vehicle for social commentary. Satire’s ability to entertain while prompting critical thinking makes it a unique and valuable form of expression.

In conclusion, exploring free satire essays and satire essay examples can be both enlightening and entertaining. It reminds us of the power of humor in addressing serious issues and encourages us to view the world with a more critical eye. So, next time you come across a satire essay, remember that beneath the humor lies a deeper message waiting to be discovered.

Satire on Bullying

Bullying is a prevalent issue in society, especially among young people. It can have serious consequences for the victims, including emotional and psychological trauma. Satire, as a form of humor that uses irony and exaggeration to criticize and ridicule societal issues, can be a powerful…

Voltaire’s Use of Satire in Candide

Voltaire’s novel, Candide, is a classic example of satire. Through the use of wit, humor, and irony, Voltaire challenges the prevailing ideas of his time and criticizes the societal norms and institutions of the 18th century. This essay will explore how Voltaire uses satire in…

Religious Satire in Huck Finn

One of the most debated aspects of the novel is the use of religious satire, particularly in relation to Christianity. In this essay, we will explore the religious satire present in the novel and examine its significance in the context of the story. Huck’s Relationship…

Satirical Elements in WALL-E

WALL-E, a 2008 animated film by Pixar, is often celebrated for its heartwarming story and stunning visuals. However, beneath its surface, the film also contains a number of satirical elements that comment on modern society. Through its portrayal of consumerism, environmental degradation, and human reliance…

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What’s Wrong with Illegal Immigration: Satire

Illegal immigration is a topic that has been widely debated for decades. It refers to the act of entering a country without proper authorization or overstaying a visa. Illegal immigration is a significant issue, and it affects various aspects of society. From economics to security,…

The Satirical and Hopeful Message of Wall-E

Wall-E is a 2008 Pixar film that tells the story of a lonely robot that cleans up the trash-covered Earth while dreaming of finding love. Through its satirical portrayal of contemporary society, modern technology, and capitalism, Wall-E offers a thought-provoking commentary on the current state…

The High School Circus: A Satirical Perspective

High school, the place where young minds are nurtured, friendships are forged, and the foundations of adulthood are laid. Or at least, that’s what they want you to believe. In reality, high school is more like a three-ring circus where the clowns wear backpacks, the…

The Absurdity of Poverty: A Satirical Examination

Imagine a world where the richest 1% of the population holds more wealth than the bottom 90%. Oh wait, that’s not just imagination; that’s reality! In our modern society, poverty has become an art form, a masterpiece of absurdity that leaves us all scratching our…

The Absurdity and Hypocrisy of Dress Codes

One of the most common forms of dress codes is for students in primary and secondary schools. These dress codes often impose restrictions on clothing, such as prohibiting tank tops, shorts, or clothing with offensive or provocative language or imagery. The consequences for breaking the…

The Absurdities of Social Media Culture: A Satirical Reflection

The rise of social media has transformed the way we communicate, consume information, and interact with others. While social media platforms have undoubtedly opened up opportunities for connection and communication, they have also given rise to a new culture that is often absurd, superficial, and…

What is a satire essay?

Although you might have seen rude satirical essay examples, this kind of writing stands for polite fun. The idea of satire is to expose the moral sides of a topic. The most popular satire topics will revolve around politicians, absurd situations, human greed, or even Instagram stars. Most importantly, satire essays should not be insulting or angry in any case!

How to write a satire essay?

The most satire essay examples you will encounter will have a structure that starts with an engaging statement, a famous quote, or an anecdote. You may even tell a story you have seen in person by turning it into a narration. Choose funny satire topics with a light-hearted approach and keep things educational. It has to teach a good lesson!

What makes a satire essay effective?

A satire essay is a piece of writing that uses humor, irony, sarcasm, and exaggeration to criticize or mock a particular subject, such as societal issues, individuals, or institutions. The primary goal is to entertain and provoke thought while highlighting the flaws or absurdities of the subject.

What topics can I satirize in my essay?

You can satirize a wide range of topics, including social issues, politics, popular culture, trends, and human behavior. The key is to choose a subject that you find interesting and that has room for satire.

How do I come up with satirical ideas?

Observe the world around you, paying attention to absurdities, contradictions, and hypocrisy. Satirical ideas often arise from everyday situations and human behavior.

How do I know if my satire essay is successful?

A successful satire essay entertains the reader, makes them think, and effectively critiques the subject. If your essay achieves these goals, it can be considered successful.

The most popular topics for Satire Essay

• Christopher Columbus
• Homelessness
• Illegal Immigration
• Competitive Sports
• Global Warming
• Climate Change
• School Uniform
• Freedom of Speech
• Donald Trump

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256 Satirical Essay Topics & Satire Essay Examples [2024]

A satire essay is a creative writing assignment where you use irony and humor to criticize people’s vices or follies. It’s especially prevalent in the context of current political and social events. A satirical essay contains facts on a particular topic but presents it in a comical way.

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

This task may be intimidating. Don’t worry: even the greatest masters of satire didn’t always succeed in their early efforts! Our custom writing experts are here to help you. In this article, you will find:

• helpful info about satirical essays;
• a list of 256 essay topics;
• examples of satirical essays.

🔝 Top 10 Satire Essay Topics

• 😆 Satire Essay Definition
• ✍️ Writing Tips
• 😜 Essay Topics
• 💡 Writing Prompts

📚 Satire Essay Examples

🔗 references.

• The joy of scambaiting.
• Who teaches politicians to lie?
• How to build a cult successfully.
• Reasons why the sky should be green.
• How to fail your exams using Facebook.
• How not to get bored at family dinners.
• Let’s build walls around all countries.
• How to eat a lot without gaining weight.
• Ways to escape visits to the dentist.
• What do soccer and impact factors have in common?

😆 What Is a Satirical Essay?

A satirical essay is a composition written about a particular subject using irony or sarcasm. Usually, the topics are related to politics, society, or money. The primary goal of any satire is to use humor creatively to make fun of foolish human behavior and criticize topical issues.

You can find examples of satire in numerous books, poems, and movies. If you enjoy dry humor based on exaggerations, you’ll surely have fun writing your satire essay.

✍️ How to Write a Satire Essay

Does the task of writing a satirical essay look daunting? No worries! Check out our expert advice:

• First off, sit down and relax. Do something inspiring. For example, get in a fight (preferably a literal one.) Satire needs to be written at the boiling point; that’s exactly where the best essay ideas come from.
• Get inspiration from classic satire examples. Scan through the works of famous satirists when looking for ideas. It can be helpful to draw parallels with the situation in the modern world.
• Another great way to get satirical essay ideas is life itself. This is where every masterpiece comes from. Ideas for a satire may pop into your head at any time. Maybe you got into a fight with a lady in the supermarket or argued about clothes with your sibling. Whatever noteworthy event happened to you recently, write it down!
• The best satire paper ideas are those that reflect reality. If your readers can draw parallels with their life, then you’ve succeeded. Completely made-up stories are harder to pull off: you can end up not convincing your readers.
• Think about your audience. Should you choose a formal or casual tone for your satirical piece? If a professor is going to read it, the first option is preferable.
• Set your goals. Good satire only makes your readers laugh but also demonstrates to them your way of thinking. Use your satirical essay to show your attitude towards serious issues.
• Add a personal touch to your satirical writing. Narrate in first-person perspective or make yourself the protagonist. Adding a unique spin and an interesting perspective will help your essay stand out. It’s also good to use hyperboles and metaphors to make your point.

If you’re struggling with picking good satire topics, check out the ideas below.

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😜 Satire Essay Topics List

Topics for a satirical essay on social media & technology.

Many of us have a complicated relationship with social media. Despite their convenience, they use a lot of our time as well as storage space. A satirical discussion can sharpen a critical perspective on these topics.

• Like, repost, and get married. It’s difficult to determine someone’s real intentions on the Internet. How does this impact people’s dating behavior?
• How cute animals became the main driving force of Instagram advertising. Emotions play a significant role in marketing . Adorable cats and dogs wield much power in this regard. What do you think is their secret?
• “I will just check a few posts and stories… Whoops, there goes my day.” If that sounds familiar to you, write about it in your satire essay on social media!
• “I’m going to filter this anyway.” However unflattering your photo looks, Instagram’s got your back. Discuss how you can use this power to your advantage.
• Let’s Zoom! Online classes are not everybody’s cup of tea. Will they become the new standard model of learning? Or will they disappear to where they came from?
• Twitter, Instagram, Facebook : can you use all of them without losing your grip on reality?
• The rise of knock-off products: will the Asian competition sweep Apple and others away?
• What if your phone is hacked?
• Providing a constant flow of content as a modern virtue.
• Exchanging gossip as a currency on social media.
• English will become an endangered language thanks to emojis.
• The worst social media virus: “Have you seen this TikTok ?”
• Step-by-step instructions on how to use hashtags to Twitter .
• Tagging in Facebook posts as an invasion of personal space.
• How to ruin your life with the help of only one social media account.
• Equality on the media: why are we discriminating against positive news?
• If you don’t watch my stories back, you don’t love me.
• Is your life as perfect as the one you display on your Instagram?
• Viral challenges are getting overly complicated.
• Caution: fact-checking Tweets may cause severe fires on social media.
• What if you were paid to scroll social media feeds?
• Understanding the cloud : how did my files get all the way up in the sky?
• Warning: downloading these apps may shorten your life.
• Tweets are short for a good reason: an average person’s attention span is getting shorter.
• Dumb ways to die: or, why you should never google how to save your life.
• Imagine the Internet disappears tomorrow.
• Can you make your coffee without a coffee machine?
• What do hackers look like in real life?
• An updated set of rules on how not to embarrass yourself on the Internet .
• Modern life: did you get the newest human update?
• TikTok should be banned in schools.
• FOMO: does it make you have nightmares ?
• There is nothing bad about having a date with someone from social media.
• Social media jargon that we will never understand.
• How to unsee all the disgusting stuff you have seen on social media.
• A quick test to find out whether you’re smarter than your smartphone .
• Hiding your flaws on social media for dummies.
• Spotting an authentic lifestyle on Instagram is not that easy.
• Learning how to make a relevant and adequate comment on social media.
• Things from the Internet that could’ve been funny if they weren’t so real.
• Feeling good about your body doesn’t mean you should post nudes.
• How to stay at home forever: Let your parents see your photos from last night’s party on social media.
• How to gain more followers on your Twitter .
• Should we expect an apocalypse if social media shuts down?
• Is social media the best way to make new friends ?
• Do your Instagram followers really care what you had for breakfast?
• It’s impossible to avoid Internet addiction.
• Should robots have human rights ?
• 10 reasons not to use Google for your exam prep .
• Should robots replace humans?
• Why should everyone have Internet access?
• Technology is not what devastated human communication .
• Why are smartphones more important than desktop PCs?
• 10 reasons for taking online classes only.
• How do modern technologies affect the way we learn?

Satire Essay on School: Topic Ideas

In a satirical essay, you can criticize the social issues that concern you using irony and funny punchlines. You can express your ideas and worries about education with a little bit of humor. It sounds like a dream essay, doesn’t it? Writing about your problems in a satirical way might help you to look at them from a more optimistic perspective!

• What is the point of a school uniform? Even office workers rarely have to follow strict dress code rules. All in all, your brain won’t solve calculus tasks better if you wear a uniform.
• Why is studying online more productive than going to school? You don’t have to go anywhere to become more intelligent. All the existing knowledge is available on the Internet, and most of it is free.
• Teachers enjoy giving a lot of homework to their students. Many students suspect that. Do you think there might be some truth behind it?
• How can you defend yourself from older kids at school? Taking up boxing or karate ? Becoming a bully ? Or maybe you just need to be a good runner? Try to think about the most creative and outlandish options.
• Reasons why you should write essays in the last minute. Nothing motivates a student more than an approaching deadline. Try to remember the time you finished your assignment the night before the due date. What was it like?
• What’s wrong with the educational system in America? Find the flaws in your program or describe the problems that your peers face. For example, think about tuition fees in colleges, overcrowding, or lack of attention to students.
• How social media help students in their studies. The educational content on social media can be helpful for your studies. Wouldn’t it be more interesting if your teachers interacted with you via TikTok or YouTube?
• How do you survive your senior year at high school? Applying to college, preparing for SAT or ACT, and keeping up with deadlines seem like a lot of multitasking . Describe all the difficulties students have to face and offer your solutions.
• Do we even need to go to school ? At first, think about why you like and dislike school . Why do you think school helped you, and when was it useless? Provide your reasons why you keep going to school and what you aim to achieve.

Topics for a Satire Essay on Obesity

Healthy lifestyles keep gaining popularity. There are plenty of low-fat and vegan options in supermarkets, cafes, and restaurants. However, obesity is still a big problem for people’s health and self-esteem. Satirical topics below will help you look at it from a new perspective; just make sure to be respectful.

• Are overweight people happier than the rest of us? Many fat people keep positive and simply don’t care about the way others see them. They can enjoy their favorite foods and don’t feel the need to work out after that.
• Do overweight people want to lose weight ? Some of them surely do. Others are happy the way they are and still face the constant pressure of the people surrounding them. Explain why it’s not necessary to lose weight just to fit the standards.
• How to stop eating at night. Nothing seems like a better idea than grabbing a snack at 2 a.m. The following day you cannot even realize why your brain persuaded you to do it. Explain why this habit can be harmful and what possible solutions can help to get rid of it.
• Crazy solutions for losing weight . You can find thousands of diets and fat-burning workouts on the Internet, but none of them work as well as promised. Find the funniest weight loss tips and describe them in your essay.
• How to persuade children to choose healthy foods . When you force somebody to do something, it doesn’t work well. Maybe we should show kids educational cartoons on nutrition? Or perhaps we need to learn how to cook delicious and healthy foods ?
• How do some skinny people eat so much and don’t gain weight? Probably everyone knows a person who eats all the time and is not even close to getting fat. It might be fast metabolism , an active lifestyle , or black magic.
• What should you eat to lose weight? Everybody knows that you need to consume fewer calories than you burn. But people still want to find a perfect diet to reduce body fat . Can you come up with one?
• Signs that you need to lose some weight . Maybe your favorite jeans became too tight, or you can’t walk up the stairs as quickly as you used to. Think of the indicators showing that you’ve gained some extra weight.
• How does smoking affect weight loss? Many people believe that smoking reduces the feeling of hunger and makes you eat less. Ex-smokers also tend to gain weight when they give up smoking. Explore this issue in a satirical essay.

Environment & Global Warming Satire Essay Topics

Environmental issues are a big part of today’s debates. Satire can make your essay more prominent and draw more attention to the issues you discuss. Satirizing the current situation can be a powerful tool in motivating people to go green. If you’re looking for good satirical topics concerning the environment, this is your section.

• Behold: anyone is now able to walk on water. You can do it, too—thanks to giant garbage islands. What other “wonders” has pollution made possible?
• Our dependency on the environment is one-sided. Speculate what would happen if nature strikes back. Who will have the upper hand?
• No one likes to wade through garbage. Yet, many people just throw their trash on the ground. What’s going on in their minds?
• New technology: guilty until proven innocent. Can humans sustain technological progress at the cost of the environment?
• We are ready to cut down the tree if we need a toothpick. Is this acceptable or outrageous? Ponder on it in your essay.
• What if you could stop climate change ? Imagine that you can control everything in the world. What would you do to stop global warming ? Offer your solutions to climate change having this kind of power.
• Climate change is fake news . With this essay, you can satirize the point of view of climate change deniers. Winter is as cold as it used to be. Maybe global warming is a trick politicians use to deflect our attention from real problems.
• Dirty water vs. polluted air : the irony of rich nations looking down on developing societies.
• Is sustainability in big companies merely a fashionable way to make a profit?
• How can we live comfortably without degrading the environment ?
• Natural disasters vs. climate change denial: is there a correlation?
• Can humans live in a symbiotic relationship with nature, as plants do?
• Stop brushing your teeth if you have heard of global warming.
• Why we should stop hating public transport .
• Overpopulated cemeteries: an underrated issue.
• Who cares about the environment when we need more housing ?
• I hate recycling , so here is what I do instead of helping the environment.
• Riding horses instead of driving cars can be fun!
• Let’s be honest: do we really need that much ozone ?
• The best solution for global warming: using hover boards instead of cars.
• Trashy waste disposal ways: can we do better?
• If you’re convinced “there is plenty of fish in the sea,” think twice.
• Humans sacrifice dozens of species to save one: themselves.
• The latest research shows that people don’t care about the environment .
• Should we consider reusable toilet paper to save our planet?
• Can’t people just plant more trees to save the forests?
• How to reduce pollution without recycling.
• What’s wrong with the zero waste ideology?
• How not making your bed can stop global warming.
• Why should humanity move to Mars ?
• 10 reasons why deforestation makes our planet cleaner.
• Are gasoline cars better than electric ones?

Satirical Essay on Social Issues: Topics & Questions

In this section, you’ll find satirical writing ideas about society, culture, and other related things.

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• “I want to speak to the manager !” If you’re dying of shame every time someone says this sentence, welcome to the Karen phenomenon. What can you do to avoid becoming such a person?
• Multinational corporations are masters of disguise. The variety of choices on grocery store shelves is deceiving. Almost all goods there belong to one of few transnational corporations .
• You can achieve anything you set your mind to—unless you’re poor. Think of examples that support this statement, such as education not being accessible for everyone.
• Hungry Google. How can promising tech start-ups prevent being devoured by a giant? The greediness of a big corporation such as Google is a great satirical topic to write about.
• The dark side of the fashion industry. What’s your opinion on beautiful designs made by the hands of Asian children?
• Trends, bans, and censorship: is free speech only for the elite?
• How to keep up with slang as you get older.
• Will Apple’s planned obsolescence ever backfire?
• “I can paint like this”: the appeal of abstract art .
• Spartans knew how to deal with overpopulation .
• Who really deserves the title of the Greatest Generation?
• ”Let’s make it simple!”: the dullness of modern pop culture.
• Is it time to create a new currency in the US?
• What should you answer to a time-traveler from the past asking about the worst event in the 21st century?
• What if pharmaceutical companies merely want to keep us sick?
• 10 reasons why breastfeeding in public should be illegal.
• 7 reasons why women should not get pregnant .
• Why should you avoid getting vaccinated?
• Life hacks on how to get a cold in summer.
• What’s so good about plastic surgery ?
• What adverse effects can sports have on your life?

Other Satirical Essay Topics

Below you’ll find humorous topics related to politics and family life. You’re welcome to use them for your satirical writing assignment.

Satire Topics on Politics

It’s hard to face reality without a bit of humor. With everything that’s happening in the world, politics is perfect joke material. This is especially relevant for Juvenalian satire. To help you limit your choices, here are some prompts:

• Do men in power actually plan to destroy the world one day? Or is hoarding atomic weapons the politicians’ version of collecting stamps?
• “The internet is new territory for all of us.” At least it was, according to the German chancellor Angela Merkel in 2013. Sounds accurate? Unpack this quote in your essay.
• Democracies have one big problem: everyone is allowed to vote. Should democratic governments introduce some kind of an IQ test before authorizing people to participate in voting ?
• Is Donald Trump a lizard person? How would this comical theory fit with his politics? Discuss this satire topic in your essay.
• North Korea’s role in the global playing field. Is the country a serious threat or a minor disturbance?
• How much influence do celebrities have in international politics ?
• Politicians in Hungary and Poland use excessive anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. What are they afraid of?
• Are rich people and Twitter enthusiasts such as Elon Musk secretly governing the world?
• Manufacturing conspiracy theories for fun and profit.
• Would life in Russia be any different if Putin crowned himself tsar?
• Why would shopping malls make perfect prisons ?
• Analyze the dictionary meaning of the word “trump.”
• Romantic relationship between Hillary Clinton and the media.
• Do all presidents just follow their basic primitive instincts?
• If someone believes politicians , they might as well believe in aliens.
• 13 reasons why teenagers should create laws.
• The most effective method to treat your post-election stress.
• Every year’s slogan: Let’s make politics work again!
• A team of professionals working on upgrading Donald Trump’s lies.
• A practical dictionary to help you translate the Trump language.
• How would the deep state save us from the climate catastrophe?
• Winning as the ultimate goal of all elections for political figures.
• Why do presidents always appear to be right?
• Following the success of Germany , we have to unite the US, too!
• If you have these symptoms, you should see a doctor to treat your Political Correctness Syndrome immediately!
• Donald Trump’s best solution for wildfires, or “Rake, people, rake!”
• Family planning gone wrong: Alabama’s law on abortion .
• What do Canadians say about America’s struggles with immigrants ?
• Making parallels between Humpty Dumpty and the issues with the US wall .
• Why everyone should own a gun .
• Why doesn’t freedom of speech make you free?
• Beware: the new virus of civil disobedience is coming.
• Why do we keep thanking the wrong heroes?
• A white American man: the most terrorized person in the world nowadays.
• Shouldn’t we treat China as America’s best friend?
• Communism is capitalism’s evil twin.
• Why didn’t the government invoke the 25 th amendment during Trump’s presidency ?
• How to build hype: tips from the man who told everyone to drink bleach.
• Donald Trump as the next candidate for winning a Nobel Prize in medicine.
• Sending hippie-like peace text messages to the terrorists .

• Why won’t anyone believe what politicians say?
• What makes Donald Trump so unique?
• Trust me, the Great Wall of China will still stand after the alien invasion.
• Let’s see if Captain America would make a good president.
• Can we use ideas from comic books to confront terrorists ?
• 10 reasons why you should watch CNN news twice a day before a meal.
• The gun control issue couldn’t be more overrated.
• People are dying: legalize marijuana to save lives!
• A collection of Donald Trump’s best advice.
• 10 reasons why Tony Stark should become the next president of the United States.
• Is Russia America’s top enemy?
• Should the Communist party be the world’s leading social organization ?
• 15 reasons why all countries should liberalize visa regimes.
• How much should countries spend on military expenses?
• Why is political satire important?

Satirical Essay Topics: Marriage and Family

Family life can be a blessing as well as a challenge. Humor is a big help. Looking through this section, you’ll definitely find a relatable satire essay topic. Be sure to have a witty solution for the next time!

• You’re a cat person; your partner loves dogs . And your child begs you to buy a snake. What’s the best way to choose a pet for the whole family? Explore this funny satire topic in your essay!
• “I have a great business idea . ” Have you come to fear hearing these words? Write about how to discourage your loved ones from investing in bad ideas.
• Just married! And the routine already sets in. How can a couple keep the spark?
• Marrying is easy; it is difficult to be married . If this hits close to home, consider it as the topic for your essay.
• Grandma Online. Many people underestimate their grandparents’ abilities to use the Internet. How can said grandparents use this to their advantage?
• What’s the best way to deal with ex-partners after marrying someone else?
• Marrying a Catholic priest: how to handle celibacy.
• “Blood is thicker than water”: when is this statement not valid?
• Love at first sight: truth or myth?
• Cool parents for all Millennials : a practical guidebook.
• Why do people who have failed relationships keep advising others?
• What are your grandpa’s best retirement ideas for young people?
• Paying back: what can you ask your grandparents at the end of the day?
• Family discussions are like puzzles that one has to piece together.
• Why does nobody tell you how overrated a married life is?
• The turning point of my life: before and after marriage .
• What if same-sex marriage becomes legal everywhere?
• Why some men don’t wear engagement rings.
• Why would anyone save for their kids’ college or wedding?
• The secret behind high divorce rates in the US.
• Don’t rush to say “I do,” check these things first.
• Living in communities as a substitute for marriage in the future.
• The reasons why my kids won’t get married in a church .
• If love is blind, why are we still so self-conscious?
• The most misused pickup line of the decade.
• Guidebook of the year: places where you can find love .
• When being yourself on a date doesn’t help, just be weird.
• The real struggle behind “ happily ever after .”
• The most obvious signs you have a nosy partner.
• How can paternity leave save the whole world?
• Top useful tricks on how to win a fight with your partner.
• Things you should do on the first date if you need to escape.
• At what age should teens enter romantic relationships?
• Social media comes to rescue you: why is it the best way to break up ?
• Breaking up for introverts: how to do it without words.
• Not awkward, not cute: conversation starters for the first date.
• How to find out what your partner actually thinks about that dress.
• Get ready: questions your partner will definitely ask you at some point.
• How many times do I have to say “I love you” before my partner believes me?
• Family getaway planning on a budget (spoiler: stay home!)
• More money spent on weddings equals a higher chance of divorce .
• Being a housewife and a mom is so much easier than working! Right?
• Make your husband clean after himself: a step-by-step guide.
• Learning to love your parents who tag you in every post on Facebook.
• Who needs a babysitter when you have a tablet and a TV?
• Dressing your toddler: are there only pink and blue clothes?
• Enjoy your time as a kid of a divorced couple ; you live in two places!
• The top 10 passive-aggressive comments to make to your “favorite” relative.
• How do you detect a typical mansplaining answer from a woman?
• The middle child : why do people often seem to forget about them?
• The reasons why your mother-in-law is not the greatest evil .
• Create a 100% stress-free family life by divorcing .
• How to make a bathroom your private space in 5 steps.
• Fixing racism issues by promoting interracial marriages.
• Your evolution into everything you hate about your parents.
• Are divorces more expensive than weddings?
• Why all fathers should be taking paternity leave .
• What to do on a date to never be asked out by that person again.
• How to lie to your spouse and get away with it.
• The most effective tricks never to have dishwashing duty.
• How to tell your partner that they’ve gained weight .
• How to please your mom without actually following her advice.
• 10 life hacks to break up with your partner without doing anything.
• Getting a haircut is the best method to deal with a breakup.
• 15 reasons why you should always be late for dates.

If you haven’t found a suitable topic, you can use our topic generator for inspiration.

💡 Prompts for a Satirical Essay: Examples

Need some additional inspiration? The following prompts will instantly provide you with writing ideas.

Get an originally-written paper according to your instructions!

Satirical Essay on Drugs: Writing Prompt

Illegal drug use is a grave problem in our society. You can draw attention to this issue by writing a satirical proposal. Here are some options:

• Try to imagine what would happen if illegal drugs were free. What adverse “benefits” would this solution have? To drive the point home, use facts and statistics to show how easily addictions form.
• You may use the same approach to write about smoking or alcohol abuse. It’s a great idea to draw inspiration from old advertisements and taglines glamorizing the “benefits” of these addictions.

Feminist Satire Essay: Writing Prompt

Describing female oppression ironically as something positive allows you to demonstrate the absurdity of sexism. Think about the following:

• Many antifeminists see equal rights as a threat to patriarchy. For your essay, think about the examples of traditional misogynistic values, such as reducing women’s roles to housework. Then, present them in an ironic way to show how absurd they are.
• Another point worth satirizing is the idea that women are tired of equal rights. Do they want to go back to doing simple tasks in the kitchen and being banned from having a fulfilling job?
• Finally, you may want to explore if feminism hurts men. Is it true, or do some men just miss being in the spotlight?

Satirical Essay on Drinking and Driving: Writing Prompt

Drunk driving is among the primary reasons for road accidents in the US. It’s also an interesting topic to explore in a satirical essay. You can research ways of reducing impaired driving and turn them upside down:

• What if we start encouraging drunk driving by making alcohol more accessible? Think what would happen if the government lowers alcohol prices or makes it legal to drink everywhere.
• You may also want to ponder the consequences of lowering the legal drinking age. What would happen if kids start thinking that drunk driving is acceptable or even cool?
• You can go even further and ironically suggest making sober driving illegal.

Satirical Essay on Texting: Writing Prompt

Texting is fun—but it also comes with plenty of downsides. Below are some points you can satirize in your essay:

• One of the major drawbacks of texting is the lack of nuance compared to real-life communication. But what if it was actually an advantage? Try to describe the “benefits” of not being able to convey irony via texting.
• You may take a more serious stance and write a satirical essay on texting and driving. Why should texting be more important than watching the road? Show why this activity is pointless and highly dangerous.

Now let’s have a look at an essay example before you start writing. You can use this sample as inspiration or help you set a tone for a satire essay. Feel free to download the PDF file below:

Sometimes I dread graduating from high school just because I won’t have to wear a uniform anymore. It’s so wonderful to me because everything else I wear is either “too short” or “too bright.” In my opinion, school uniform relieves pressure and reduces unnecessary creativity and freedom of choice.

Satire Essay Examples from World Literature

If you are used to serious writing, it’s time to give it a break. Satire essays are all about fun. Some people even consider it to be one of the most entertaining types of essays.

Not only does satire show us reality as it is: it also entertains us. Let’s look at some satire writing examples from literary masters.

• The Cop and the Anthem by O. Henry The irony is already noticeable from the very beginning of O. Henry’s short story. Whatever main character Soapy intends to do, it results in the opposite. O. Henry perfectly plays around with Soapy’s sophisticated language use: it shows that despite being homeless, the character tries to appear as if he is of high status.
• Advice to Youth by M. Twain This satirical essay by Mark Twain aims to give a piece of advice to younger readers. They would expect it to be thoughtful as it comes from a respectable author. Instead of passing down his ideas about morality and values, Twain teaches youth how to act nicely. Long story short, it’s a convenient guide on how to pretend to be well-behaved. Twain’s use of sarcastic humor flips the theme of morality upside down.
• At the Funeral by M. Twain After reading this masterpiece, most adults and parents probably wouldn’t find Mark Twain so respectable anymore. In this essay, he mocks a set of social norms related to funerals. You can see how the writer plays around with this seemingly depressing topic. However, this satirical piece comes out to be quite entertaining. The reader can’t even sense the depressing mood surrounding the funeral processions. Twain also avoids using any terms related to it. He underlines that there is no value in such a custom anymore. All in all, he conveys his ideas very naturally and humorously.
• When I Was a Witch by Charlotte Perkins Gilman This short story created by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is considered one of the best satirical writing examples. It’s a story about a woman who discovers that all her wishes come true. She starts wishing for her surroundings and society at large to change. Though her wishes might seem strange, they are related to Gilman’s real-life circumstances. Ironically, only her wishes that are caused by negative emotions come true.
• A Modest Proposal by J. Swift This satirical essay by an English writer Jonathan Swift is about Ireland’s social and political problems. At the time, there was a famine in the country. Unfortunately, the government didn’t seem to find a solution to that issue. Swift decided to make a suggestion. He proposes to breed humans like cattle, resolving overpopulation and hunger at the same time. Such a horrible suggestion is nothing but an impossible idea with a hint of sarcasm. The main point of this essay is to make fun of the Irish government’s incapability to deal with social issues.

These texts will surely inspire you to write an outstanding essay.

We wish you good luck and hope this article was helpful! Don’t hesitate to share it with your friends.

Further reading:

• 435 Literary Analysis Essay Topics and Prompts [Upd]
• 460 Excellent Political Topics to Write about in 2024
• 420 Funny Speech Topics (Informative & Persuasive) + Presentation Ideas
• Funny Persuasive Speech Topics: Best Ideas for 2024
• 150 Best Environmental Essay Topics & Questions

✏️ Satirical Essay FAQ

In the modern world, there are way too many serious issues. Sensational media portrayal doesn’t make dealing with them easier. Satire helps to digest some ideas more effectively. Essays and articles often use satirical writing.

If you already have a topic, analyze the issue. You should come up with a good list of ideas first. Then, choose the most relevant points. Describe these in a satirical style. Add an introduction and a conclusion.

Students often have tasks with exact topics for their satire essays. If you need to develop an idea yourself, think about a topical issue you’ve heard about recently. Your subject might be related to your community or society as a whole.

First, read some examples of how other authors start their essays. This might vary from a quote or an anecdote to a rhetorical question. Sometimes the best way is to create an outline for the essay before writing an introduction.

• Essay Structure: Elizabeth Abrams, for the Writing Center at Harvard University  
• What Is Satire? How to Use Satire in Literature, Pop Culture, and Politics: MasterClass  
• Choosing a Topic: Purdue Writing Lab  
• Satire Essays: Bartleby  
• Origin of the Roman Satire Genre: NS. Gill, ThoughtCo  
• Juvenalian Satire: Encyclopedia Britannica  
• The Power of Political Satire: The New Yorker  
• Political Satire: Huff Post  
• Political Issues of 2024: I Side With  
• Political Issues Students Care About in 2020: Best Colleges  
• These Satirical Nat Geo Headlines Aren’t Too Far Off: National Geographic  
• Laughing in the Face of Climate Change? Satire as a Device for Engaging Audiences in Public Debate: University of Colorado Boulder  
• Technology Addiction: How Should It Be Treated?: Medical News Today  
• Concerns Regarding Concerns Regarding Social Media and Health Issues in Adolescents and Young Adults: ACOG.org  
• Social/Family Issues: Medline Plus  
• Trump’s Biggest Accomplishments and Failures from His 1-Term Presidency: Business Insider
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Seeking Social Justice Through Satire: Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal"

• Resources & Preparation
• Instructional Plan
• Related Resources

Jonathan Swift's 1729 pamphlet “A Modest Proposal” is a model for satirizing social problems. In this lesson, students complete multiple readings of Swift's essay: a guided reading with the teacher, a collaborative reading with a peer, and an independent reading. The online Notetaker tool helps students restate key ideas from Swift's essay as they read and elaborate upon these ideas postreading. After independent reading, pairs of students develop a mock television newscast or editorial script, like those found on Saturday Night Live's “Weekend Update,” The Daily Show with Jon Stewart , or The Colbert Report , including appropriate visual images in PowerPoint.

Featured Resources

“A Modest Proposal” : Based upon the text taken from Project Gutenberg, Swift’s essay has been edited to conventionalize spelling and usage, with explanatory footnotes to provide historical and social contexts.

Mock Television Newscast or Editorial Assignment : This printout guides students in the development of their own satiric television newscast or editorial script based on a contemporary social issue.

Evaluation Rubric for Mock Television Newscast or Editorial Assignment : This rubric helps in the evaluation of students’ newscasts and editorial scripts.

From Theory to Practice

• To address students’ needs, teachers should cyclically return to a variety of instructional practices that include (among other things) use of modeling, guided practice, collaboration, and independent practice.
• Pearson and Gallagher’s (1983) gradual release of responsibility model includes three parts: modeling and guiding acquisition of new content, collaborating to refine students’ understanding of it, and presenting opportunities for students to try out new content independently (p.75).

The teacher’s use of guided reading provides students with a model for critical reading and for the sharing of the moves that an experienced reader uses to comprehend a difficult text.

• Langer’s (2002) call for balancing instruction includes separated, simulated, and integrated instruction.
• Separated instruction presents students with concepts, simulated instruction allows students to apply the concepts in specific contexts, and integrated instruction provides students with opportunities to apply their learning within a large and purposeful context of their own creation.

Common Core Standards

This resource has been aligned to the Common Core State Standards for states in which they have been adopted. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, CCSS alignments are forthcoming.

State Standards

This lesson has been aligned to standards in the following states. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, standard alignments are not currently available for that state.

NCTE/IRA National Standards for the English Language Arts

• 1. Students read a wide range of print and nonprint texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary works.
• 2. Students read a wide range of literature from many periods in many genres to build an understanding of the many dimensions (e.g., philosophical, ethical, aesthetic) of human experience.
• 3. Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts. They draw on their prior experience, their interactions with other readers and writers, their knowledge of word meaning and of other texts, their word identification strategies, and their understanding of textual features (e.g., sound-letter correspondence, sentence structure, context, graphics).
• 6. Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and nonprint texts.
• 8. Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.
• 12. Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information).

Materials and Technology

• Computer with Internet access and projector
• Computers with word processing (such as Word) and presentation (such as PowerPoint) software
• “A Modest Proposal”
• Guided Reading of “A Modest Proposal”
• Commonly Used Satiric Devices
• Mock Television Newscast or Editorial Assignment
• Evaluation Rubric for Mock Television Newscast or Editorial Assignment
• Rubric for Assessing Guided Reading

Preparation

• Print and review the printouts for the unit: “A Modest Proposal,” Guided Reading of “A Modest Proposal,” Commonly Used Satiric Devices , Mock Television Newscast or Editorial Assignment , Evaluation Rubric for Mock Television Newscast or Editorial Assignment , and Rubric for Assessing Guided Reading .
• Download and make a copy of the deer cartoon from Narrative Magazine: Literary Puzzler: Famous Last Words . Work through the “Analyzing a Single-Panel Cartoon” section of the Guided Reading of “A Modest Proposal” printout.
• Select a mock newscast from a recent episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart , The Colbert Report , or the “Weekend Update” segment of Saturday Night Live for your students to view. Schedule any audio-visual equipment you may need to present it to the class. Work through the “Viewing an Episode of a Satiric Television Program” section of the Guided Reading of “A Modest Proposal” printout. Take note of the metacognitive moves that enable you to appreciate the humor of the broadcast.
• Review the websites providing background information on satire on Hodgart on The Conditions of Political Satire and on Swift’s biography and career at Jonathan Swift.biography .
• Read Swift’s “A Modest Proposal,” noting the essay’s overall structure and Swift’s use of various satiric techniques.

I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust. (ll. 58-61)

• Complete a copy of the printout Commonly Used Satiric Devices based upon your reading of “A Modest Proposal.”
• Using the division headings on the Guided Reading of “A Modest Proposal,” jot down your own paraphrases of Swift’s ideas with the online interactive Notetaker .
• Review the PowerPoint Tool Tips .
• Review the Mock Television Newscast or Editorial Assignment and the Evaluation Rubric for Mock Television Newscast or Editorial Assignment .

Student Objectives

Students will

• Enhance their comprehension of an edited and footnoted text of Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” through multiple readings: guided, collaborative, and independent
• Identify Swift’s use of specific literary techniques in “A Modest Proposal” through collaboration
• Collaboratively identify a contemporary social problem, analyze it, and develop an outrageous satiric solution to resolve it
• Write the script for a fake newscast—supported by a PowerPoint presentation as a substitute for the blue screen graphics seen in broadcasts—as a means of presenting a satiric solution for a social problem to an audience

Session 1: Introduction to Guided Reading

• To introduce the idea of guided reading to students, begin by presenting a copy of the single-panel cartoon of two deer from Narrative Magazine: Literary Puzzler: Famous Last Words , and work through the first section, “Analyzing a Single-Panel Cartoon,” on the printout Guided Reading of “A Modest Proposal.”
• As you work with students, ask them to share what specific cognitive steps they used to understand the joke. You may need to share your steps first; however, emphasize that there are likely to be many sets of steps involved, all resulting in getting the joke.
• Introduce the idea of satire to students by presenting, reviewing, and discussing the website Hodgart on The Conditions of Political Satire .
• Ask students to give examples of books, essays, movies, and radio or television programs that employ satire. Ask them what issues these media criticize through the use of satire.
• Prepare students for their viewing of the episode of the satiric television program that you selected by reviewing the “Viewing an Episode of a Satiric Television Program” section of the printout Guided Reading of “A Modest Proposal.”
• Watch the program and discuss students’ various responses, again encouraging students to share the cognitive processes that allowed them to comprehend the satire.

Sessions 2 and 3: Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”

• Distribute the edited text of “A Modest Proposal.” Have students read background material on Swift’s life and career from Jonathan Swift.biography.
• Direct students to turn to the edited version of Swift’s pamphlet that you just distributed, pointing out the title, date of publication, and footnotes and how to use them.
• Complete the Guided Reading of “A Modest Proposal” printout. For each section, pose the question(s) before reading, and allow students to read the section and record their responses before asking them to share their understandings. Be prepared to answer their questions about how you, as an experienced reader, process Swift’s ideas. Use the Rubric for Assessing Guided Reading to evaluate students’ understanding.

Session 4: Techniques Commonly Used in Satire

• Distribute and review the printout Commonly Used Satiric Devices .
• Divide the class into pairs of students. Working collaboratively, have each pair fill in the printout with personal examples.
• Have each pair work collaboratively to locate examples of the techniques within Swift’s “A Modest Proposal.” Note that students’ responses are likely to vary widely. They may not find examples within Swift’s essay for all of the techniques.
• At the end of class, have students share their responses in either small or large groups.

Session 5: Independent Reading

• Have students review their responses to the Guided Reading of “A Modest Proposal” and their work on Commonly Used Satiric Devices .
• Working independently and using the section headings from the Guided Reading of “A Modest Proposal,” have each student paraphrase the major ideas of each section of “A Modest Proposal.” Have them use the online interactive Notetaker .

Session 6: Prewriting for Mock Television Newscast or Editorial Assignment

• Distribute and review the Mock Television Newscast or Editorial Assignment and the Evaluation Rubric for Mock Television Newscast or Editorial Assignment .
• Divide the class into pairs, and have each pair complete the prewriting section of the first printout. Note that you may wish to prescreen specific episodes of the television programs that students viewed and analyzed during Session 1 now in this prewriting section, which repeats the analytical questioning used in Session 1.
• If time permits, have students begin drafting the announcer’s script.

Sessions 7 and 8: Drafting the Mock Television Newscast or Editorial Assignment

• Have students begin or continue drafting their scripts, consulting the Web for supporting information as necessary.
• Once students are satisfied with their drafts, have them begin determining and locating appropriate visual images to accompany the script. (Note that the Mock Television Newscast or Editorial Assignment printout provides suggestions for locating these audio-visual components.)

Session 9: Refining and Rehearsing Their Presentations

• Have students revise and edit their scripts.
• While sitting at computers, have students quietly rehearse their presentations, incorporating their PowerPoint content. Direct students to the PowerPoint Tool Tips printout if they need extra guidance using PowerPoint.

Additional Sessions for Presentations

• Determine the order of students’ presentations. You may wish to have the pairs of students draw numbers to do this. Once students are prepared and know when they’re expected to present, you should be able to complete 5–6 presentations in a class session. For example, for a class of 24 students making 12 presentations, you’ll need two to three class periods.
• To encourage better listening, ask students to complete their own Evaluation Rubric for Mock Television Newscast or Editorial Assignment printouts to evaluate each presentation.

As a means of publication, digitally record and post several of the presentations to the website for either your class or your school. Be certain to secure written consent from your students’ parents first.

Student Assessment / Reflections

• Observe student participation in the guided reading sessions. Collect students’ Guided Reading of “A Modest Proposal” printouts. On these, make comments about students’ work and address any individual questions that students pose. Because students’ responses to the activities are designed to scaffold their reading of satire, view these responses as pieces of expressive discourse where the emphasis is upon exploring ideas and understandings, not upon getting correct answers or writing well. With this type of writing, it’s better to ignore grammar, usage, and mechanics. To guide assessment of student participation in these activities, see the Rubric for Assessing Guided Reading .
• Collect, quickly review, and briefly comment on students’ work on Commonly Used Satiric Devices. Check for completion and in order to monitor students’ understanding and application of concepts.
• Use the Evaluation Rubric for Mock Television Newscast or Editorial Assignment to evaluate both students’ scripts and their presentations.

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• Kindergarten K

5 Ways to Write a Satire Essay

Not all essays are meant to be sound serious and forbidding. At times, essays can be quite fun to read. Satire essay is one best example of a highly entertaining essay. Certain websites such as The Onion, The Satirist, or The Private Eye are widely known for their satirical essays. But first let us determine what is satire and what is a satire essay.

• Satire in Literature
• Literary Essay Writing Example

What is Satire and Satirical Essay?

Merriam-Webster defines satire as a literary work that uses wit, irony, or sarcasm to expose and ridicule human vices or foolishness. Satire is most prevalent in literary works like books, poems, essays, songs, and even in films. Using satire in a literary piece is one way of showing one’s humor creatively.

It is also one way of putting a subtle constructive criticism to the shortcomings of a certain topic that an author is discussing (may it be related to politics, social change, celebrities, etc). Satirical essays are meant to write factual information about a certain topic but twists it to make it appear comical. Your readers will be more engrossed in reading satire essay since not only they will be entertained they will also gain more knowledge about a certain topic. Examples of satire present in literature include:

• Jonathan Swift’s essay called “A Modest Proposal” talks about the societal and political issue in Ireland. The Irish are suffering from famine and the government is unable to solve this problem. Swift then cheekily suggested that in order to resolve the famine, a new form of human breeding is the solution for the economic recovery in Ireland. When deliberating his essay, Swift’s suggestion may seem horrendous but his point is to sarcastically suggest an impossible suggestion to make fun of the shortcoming of the Ireland’s government.
• The Rape of Lock by Alexander Pope satirized the upper middle class of the 18th century England. Most people who belonged in this class were vain and narcissistic. Most young men and women were fashionable, self-absorbed, and superficial.
• “Whether the nymph shall break Diana’s law, o r some frail china jar receive a flaw, o r stain her honor, or her new brocade…”.  An excerpt from Pope’s poem describes a young woman called Belinda who lost a lock of her hair seemed to her that she lost a valuable virtue of their class in this particular era. The lost lock of hair is almost similar like a precious frail china jar that cracked.

Other Forms of Satire

Satirizing politicians, celebrities, or other prominent people are most commonly spoofed in the media. Parodies are used to make fun of these people by exaggerating their chosen subject’s behavior or characteristics. Some even impersonate these people and exaggerate their looks. Parodies are prevalent in films, television, and music.

One example is the parody band called the Rutles. Established in the late 70’s, this band satirizes the Beatles and their avid supporters. They dressed up like the Beatles and poked fun of their songs by making a similar songs by the Beatles.

One example is the song “Get Up and Go” by the Rutles which is a parody from the song “Get Back” by the Beatles. Here is an excerpt of “Get Up and Go”:

Cruising down the highway doing sixty-five in the middle of the double white line His foot down on the gas and his head in the clouds He didn’t see the one-way sign Get up and go Get up and go Get up and go back home

Sarcasm is of course prevalent in satire. It is what makes satire engaging and entertaining. Sarcasm as defined in Cambridge dictionary is making remarks that means the opposite of what the person is supposed to say in order to criticize something or someone in a humorous way.  Some examples of sarcastic quotes are:

“We are all both ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.” Benjamin Franklin

“Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.” Mark Twain

“All men are the same. They have different faces so that women differentiate them.” Marilyn Monroe

But what makes satire important?

Basically, satire exists to point out the shortcomings in the society or within ourselves and to inspire change from these flaws. Through satire writing, readers will be aware of the changes they need to do in order to make a better version of themselves or in the society.

Now comes the part on how to write a satire essay efficiently.

How to Write a Satire Essay?

1. familiarize first how to write a satire essay.

When writing a satire essay, it is important to know that you have a strong motive to address your own views and opinion over a specific issue to you care about. Even if it is opinionated in its form, you can put your own perspective of this certain issue and spin it to make it funny, don’t forget to always provide the factual information of the topic you are writing about.

2. Choose the right topic to write

In choosing a topic to write, it’s best to know what topic are you want to write about. It must be something that you are highly interested in. Otherwise, if you choose a topic you are not really into it or not familiar to, you get bored in writing halfway to it. Other key points to consider is to choose a topic or an issue that is relevant to society and is relatable to everyone.

The best examples of topics to choose from are:

• current events
• health or environmental issues
• celebrities
• human vices
• holiday celebrations
• social media

It is also helpful to familiarize yourself with these topics by watching or reading the news. These kinds of topics are what people mostly have their own stand, so it’s best to choose it as you will get reactions from your readers. Don’t forget the point of writing essays is for the readers to read it. Getting reactions, whether favorable or not, means you have successfully done your job.

3. Get to the point

Finally, after poring and musing and deciding the topic you want to discuss, it’s time to figure out, what is the point of this essay I am writing about?  The things you want to consider are: What is your stand in this certain topic? Do you rule favor or not?, How can you make this topic ironic? Once you have figured out your point, you have a clear and strong idea on what will you write about.

4. Know your audience

It’s crucial for you as a writer to know who is the audience you are writing to. Are you writing for the professional readers? Or the students? These different groups of people have their own preference or style of writing. The professionals might want a formal style of writing or the students might want a casual style. The point is, by identifying your readers, it’s better to be more relatable towards them. To help you adjust your style of writing to your specific audience, here are the questions you need to answer: How do you write in casual or formal style of writing? How do you write this essay if you are writing for young people?

5. Now it’s time to write

Now you already have a gist on writing a satire essay. You already know what topic you will discuss and what will be your main point, and you already identified who will be your audience. Now it’s time to write down your outstanding essay. Of course, in order for it to be outstanding, you need some tips in order to make your essay interesting to read. Familiarize yourself with the figures of speech to use when writing a satire essay to make it more engaging to your readers. Examples of figures of speech you can use are:

Hyperbole: The use of exaggerated words for heightened effect on the reader.

My high heeled shoes are killing me!

Irony: It is the use of words used to convey the opposite of its literal meaning.

A person looking out at his window while it was raining hard. He exclaims, “ What a beautiful weather we are having today.”

Metaphor: A figure of speech that implied a comparison between two dissimilar things that have something in common.

You have a heart of stone.

Pun: Is described as ‘a play on words’. It’s structure can be on different senses of the same word or sometimes on the similar sense or sound of different words.

“Now is the winter or our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York…” an excerpt from William Shakespeare Richard III (Act 1 scene 1). The context of this statement by the character Richard III is that he was the son of the Duke of York.

Understatement: This type of figure of speech is when a speaker intentionally makes a situation or a person less important that it is.

“It was rather a serious evening, you know.”  Shipwreck survivor Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon, as he described the sinking of the Titanic.

You may also look up some hyperbole examples , and irony examples to familiarize yourself to these figures of speech.

Now that you have mastered on writing a satire essay, don’t forget to have some fun while writing it. In fact, it is more enjoyable to write since you are allowed to put your own creativity and your personal views in your essay. However don’t forget to cite facts to make your essay credible. But don’t forget that the main essence of satire essay is to persuade your readers to agree with your opinion. So be persuasive, be creative and showcase your talent in comedy in your satire essay.

Satire Essay Generator

Text prompt

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Write a Satire Essay about the obsession with social media

Discuss in a Satire Essay how procrastination has become a key skill for students