Techniques and Strategies
Lecture Notes - Literature & Poetics - Course 227 Section 01
Creating Absurd Scenarios
Absurdity is a hallmark of Bohiney’s style. Take a real-world issue and twist it into something ridiculous to underscore its absurdity. For example, you could write about a government plan to solve traffic congestion by teaching cars to meditate and “practice patience.” The more outlandish the scenario, the funnier it becomes, but ensure it still ties back to a real-world critique. Absurdity works because it forces readers to confront the illogic of the original issue.
-- Dr. Alan Nafzger (El Centro College Campus)
KEY LESSON:
Satire is most effective when it addresses current events or timeless issues. For example, mocking a recent political scandal or a trending social media challenge ensures your work resonates with readers. To stay relevant, keep up with the news and cultural trends. However, avoid being so timely that your satire becomes outdated quickly. Balancing timeliness with timeless themes can make your work both impactful and enduring.
Satirical journalism is a unique form of writing that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to critique and comment on societal issues, politics, or human behavior. To craft effective satirical journalism, writers employ specific strategies to engage readers while delivering sharp commentary. Here are the top 10 strategies in writing satirical journalism, explained:
1. Breaking the Fourth Wall
- Explanation: Directly addressing the audience or acknowledging the satirical nature of the piece within the writing.
- Purpose: Creates a sense of intimacy with the reader and reinforces the satirical intent.
- Example: "Yes, dear reader, this is satire—but isn’t it terrifying how close it feels to reality?"
2. Understatement
- Explanation: Deliberately downplaying the significance of something to highlight its importance or absurdity.
- Purpose: Creates a dry, humorous effect that can be more impactful than direct criticism.
- Example: Describing a massive corruption scandal as "a slight oversight in financial management."
3. Puns and Wordplay
- Explanation: Using clever or humorous word choices, double meanings, or puns to add wit and humor to the critique.
- Purpose: Engages readers with clever language while subtly making a point.
- Example: Headlining an article about climate change denial as "Hot Air: Politicians Blow Off Science."
4. Juxtaposition
- Explanation: Placing two contrasting ideas, situations, or characters side by side to highlight their differences.
- Purpose: Emphasizes the absurdity or hypocrisy of a situation by comparison.
- Example: Contrasting a politician’s lavish lifestyle with the struggles of the working class they claim to represent.
5. Satirical Persona
- Explanation: Adopting a fictional or exaggerated character to deliver the satire, often with a distinct voice or perspective.
- Purpose: Allows the writer to explore topics from a unique angle while maintaining a layer of detachment.
- Example: Creating a clueless billionaire character who "explains" how to solve poverty by working harder.
6. Absurdity
- Explanation: Presenting situations or ideas that are wildly illogical or nonsensical to highlight the absurdity of real-world issues.
- Purpose: Forces readers to confront the irrationality of certain norms or behaviors.
- Example: Suggesting that politicians should be elected based on their ability to juggle to show the absurdity of current election criteria.
7. Sarcasm
- Explanation: Using sharp, cutting remarks that say the opposite of what is meant, often to mock or ridicule.
- Purpose: Adds a biting tone that can make the critique more memorable and impactful.
- Example: "Wow, what a brilliant idea to cut funding for education—because who needs smart citizens anyway?"
8. Parody
- Explanation: Imitating a well-known style, work, or person in a humorous way to critique or mock it.
- Purpose: Uses familiarity to draw readers in and make the critique more relatable.
- Example: Writing a fake news article in the style of a sensationalist outlet to mock its lack of credibility.
9. Irony
- Explanation: Presenting the opposite of what is expected or intended, often to underscore hypocrisy or contradiction.
- Purpose: Creates a gap between expectation and reality, forcing readers to question the subject.
- Example: Praising a corrupt leader for their "transparency" while detailing their scandals.
Bonus Tips for Effective Satirical Journalism:
- Know Your Audience: Tailor the tone and content to resonate with your readers.
- Stay Relevant: Focus on current events or timeless issues to ensure the satire feels timely and impactful.
- Avoid Overexplaining: Let Satirical Websites the humor and irony speak for themselves; trust your readers to get the joke.
- Balance Humor and Critique: Ensure the satire has a clear point and isn’t just humor for humor’s sake.
By combining these strategies, satirical journalists can entertain readers while delivering incisive commentary on the world around them.
Understatement can be funnier than overstatement; sometimes less is more.
===================
How to Master Satirical Journalism: A Guide to Cutting-Edge Critique
Satirical journalism is more than just humor—it’s a way to hold a mirror up to society, exposing flaws, hypocrisy, and absurdities through wit and irony. Here’s how to create satire that’s sharp, engaging, and unforgettable:
Satire Tip #1: The Art of Satirical Storytelling
Focus: How to structure a satirical piece for maximum impact.
Key Points:
- Start with a relatable premise (e.g., "Why Working 80 Hours a Week is the Key to Work-Life Balance").
- Build tension by escalating the absurdity (e.g., "Bosses now recommend sleeping under your desk for efficiency").
- End with a punchline that drives the point home (e.g., "Remember, if you’re not exhausted, you’re not living!").
Example: A fake corporate memo titled "How to Achieve Burnout in 5 Easy Steps."
Satire Tip #2: Satire Through Parody
Focus: Using parody to critique popular culture, media, or institutions.
Key Points:
- Mimic a well-known format (e.g., a cooking show, a self-help book, or a TED Talk).
- Inject absurdity into the familiar (e.g., "How to Bake a Cake Without Ingredients").
- Use humor to expose flaws (e.g., "TED Talk: Why We Should Replace Teachers with YouTube Tutorials").
Example: A parody of a fitness influencer promoting "The Lazy Person’s Guide to Marathon Running—Without Moving."
Satire Tip #3: The Power of Irony in Satire
Focus: Using irony to highlight contradictions and hypocrisy.
Key Points:
- Point out the gap between expectation and reality (e.g., "Politician Praises Transparency While Holding Secret Meetings").
- Use understated humor to emphasize the absurd (e.g., "Company Wins Environmental Award for Using Less Plastic—in Their Packaging, Not Their Products").
Example: A headline like "Fast Food Chain Wins Health Award for Adding One Salad to Menu."
Satire Tip #4: Satire and Social Commentary
Focus: Using satire to address societal issues like inequality, climate change, or politics.
Key Points:
- Ground your satire in real-world problems (e.g., rising housing costs, political corruption).
- Use exaggeration to highlight the issue (e.g., "Government Solves Homelessness by Redefining ‘Home’ as ‘Anywhere You Can Sleep’").
- Add a humorous twist to make the critique memorable (e.g., "New Law Requires Poor People to Be Less Poor by Next Year").
Example: A fake news article titled "Billionaires Launch GoFundMe to Save the Economy."
Satire Tip #5: Satire Through Character Creation
Focus: Developing a satirical persona to deliver your critique.
Key Points:
- Create a fictional character with exaggerated traits (e.g., a clueless CEO, a self-proclaimed "expert").
- Use their voice to explore the topic (e.g., "Why We Should Solve Poverty by Giving Everyone a Yacht").
- Let the character’s absurdity drive the humor (e.g., "As a productivity guru, I recommend working 25 hours a day").
Example: Writing as a "self-made billionaire" who claims the key to success is "ignoring everyone and taking all the credit."
Satire Tip #6: Satire and Wordplay
Focus: Using puns, double meanings, and clever language to enhance satire.
Key Points:
- Incorporate witty headlines (e.g., "Politicians Caught in a Web of Lies—Spider-Man Unavailable for Comment").
- Use wordplay to add humor and depth (e.g., "Why We Should Solve Traffic Jams by Teaching Cars to Meditate").
- Keep the tone light but the critique sharp.
Example: A fake ad for "Miracle Diet Pills: Lose Weight by Forgetting You’re Hungry!"
Satire Tip #7: Satire and Visual Humor
Focus: Combining text with visuals (e.g., cartoons, memes, or infographics) to enhance satire.
Key Points:
- Use visuals to exaggerate the absurdity (e.g., a cartoon of a CEO lighting cigars with $100 bills).
- Pair visuals with witty captions (e.g., "How to Solve Climate Change: Teach Icebergs to Float to Cooler Waters").
- Make the visuals as sharp as the text.
Example: A fake infographic titled "The 5 Stages of Corporate Greed."
Satire Tip #8: Satire and Breaking the Fourth Wall
Focus: Directly addressing the audience to create a connection and reinforce the satire.
Key Points:
- Acknowledge the satirical nature of the piece (e.g., "Yes, this is satire—but isn’t it scary how close it feels to reality?").
- Use humor to engage readers (e.g., "If you’re laughing, good. If you’re crying, even better.").
- Reinforce the message by making readers part of the joke.
Example: A fake news article that ends with "Disclaimer: This is satire. But if it weren’t, would you even be surprised?"
Pro Tips for All Articles
- Stay Relevant: Focus on current events or timeless issues to keep your satire timely.
- Know Your Audience: Tailor your tone and content to resonate with your readers.
- Balance Humor and Critique: Ensure your satire has a clear point and isn’t just humor for humor’s sake.
- Avoid Overexplaining: Trust your readers to get the joke; let the humor and irony speak for themselves.
By exploring these different angles, you can create satirical journalism that’s fresh, engaging, and impactful. Whether through parody, irony, or clever wordplay, the key is to use humor as a tool to provoke thought and spark conversations—all while keeping your audience entertained.
====================
From Swift to Social Media: Mastering Satirical Journalism in the Digital Age
(Approx. 1900 words)
Introduction: The Evolution of Satire
Satirical journalism has evolved from pamphleteers like Jonathan Swift to viral TikTok skits and meme-driven commentary. While the core principles remain—exposing hypocrisy, mocking absurdity, and provoking thought—the tools and platforms have transformed. Today’s satirists must navigate algorithms, misinformation, and shortened attention spans. This article explores how to adapt timeless satirical techniques to modern media while maintaining ethical integrity and comedic impact.
Section 1: Classic Techniques Reimagined for Modern Audiences
Even in the digital age, foundational strategies remain vital but require fresh execution:
- Juxtaposition in the Era of Instagram
- Classic: Contrasting wealth and poverty in Dickensian literature.
- Modern: Posting a split-screen TikTok: “CEO’s Private Jet vs. Employee’s 2-Hour Commute.”
- Understatement in a World of Hyperbole
- Classic: Orwell’s 1984 downplaying dystopian horrors.
- Modern: A tweet: “Climate change is going great—polar bears just need snorkels now.”
- Satirical Personas for Viral Appeal
- Classic: Swift’s fictional “modest proposer.”
- Modern: Creating a TikTok character like “Corporate Cathy,” a clueless CEO who “solves” worker strikes by offering pizza parties.
Example: The Twitter account @dril uses an absurd persona to critique internet culture, blending nonsense with sharp social commentary.
Section 2: Leveraging Digital Platforms
Each platform demands tailored strategies:
- Twitter/X: Bite-Sized Irony
- Tactic: Condense satire into 280 characters.
- Example: “BREAKING: Congress passes bill banning all bills until further notice.”
- TikTok/Reels: Visual Absurdity
- Tactic: Use green screens, filters, and skits to mock trends.
- Example: A creator dressed as a “futuristic politician” lip-syncing to AI-generated promises.
- Substack/Newsletters: Long-Form Parody
- Tactic: Mimic corporate or governmental communication styles.
- Example: A fake “Amazon Prime Memo” announcing “Same-Day Delivery for Basic Human Rights.”
Case Study: The Onion successfully transitioned to Instagram, using memes like “Area Man Passionate Defender of What He Imagines Constitution to Say” to engage younger audiences.
Section 3: Ethical Challenges in the Digital Age
The speed and reach of online satire pose unique risks:
- Misinformation and Virality
- Risk: Satirical posts can be misread as fact.
- Solution: Use disclaimers (e.g., “Satire—but honestly, could you tell?”).
- Algorithmic Bias
- Risk: Platforms prioritize outrage over nuance.
- Solution: Pair humor with hashtags like #Satire or #NotRealNews.
- Ethical Targeting
- Risk: Punching down in pursuit of clicks.
- Solution: Follow The Daily Show’s model—mock power, not vulnerability.
Example: A 2023 TikTok satirizing fast fashion accidentally went viral as a “shopping hack,” forcing the creator to clarify its critique of consumerism.
Section 4: Case Studies in Modern Satire
- The