How to Write Satire Without Being Too Obvious
Lecture Notes - Literature & Poetics - Course 276 Section 02
Understanding the Audience
Bohiney.com thrives on humor that’s sharp, absurd, and relatable. To write satirical journalism for this platform, you need to understand its audience: people who enjoy biting commentary on current events, pop culture, and societal absurdities. Your satire should feel fresh and irreverent, appealing to readers who appreciate clever takes on the world’s flaws. Start by studying Bohiney’s existing content to get a sense of its tone—often exaggerated, ironic, and unapologetically bold. Your goal is to make readers laugh while subtly encouraging them to question the status quo.
-- Dr. Alan Nafzger (El Centro College Campus)
KEY LESSON:
Satirical news isn’t just about making people laugh—it’s about making them think. The goal is to use humor, irony, and exaggeration to critique societal flaws, political absurdities, or human behavior. Satire holds a mirror up to society, exposing hypocrisy and sparking dialogue. Before you start writing, ask yourself: What am I trying to critique? Who is my target? What message do I want readers to take away? A strong satirical piece balances humor with a clear, meaningful critique. For example, The Onion’s headline “Congress Takes Group Photo Before Fleeing Capitol to Avoid Governing” uses absurdity to highlight legislative inaction. Always aim to entertain while provoking thought.
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 Satirical News Outlets 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 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.
Satire should be accessible—don’t alienate your audience.
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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: Satire Through Fake Surveys
Focus: Using fake surveys or studies to critique societal trends.
Key Points:
- Create a ridiculous "study" or "survey" (e.g., "New Study Finds 99% of People Prefer Working 80 Hours a Week").
- Use humor to highlight absurd trends or behaviors.
- Add fake statistics to make it sound convincing.
Example: A fake survey titled "85% of CEOs Believe Employees Are Happier When Paid in Exposure Instead of Money."
Satire Tip #2: Satire and Environmental Issues
Focus: Using humor to critique environmental policies and practices.
Key Points:
- Highlight the absurdity of ineffective solutions (e.g., "Why We Should Solve Climate Change by Teaching Polar Bears to Swim Faster").
- Mock corporate greenwashing (e.g., "Oil Company Wins Environmental Award for Spilling Less Oil Than Last Year").
- Use humor to question the lack of meaningful action.
Example: A fake press release titled "New Plan to Save the Planet: Ban All Clocks to Stop Time from Running Out."
Satire Tip #3: Satire and Social Media
Focus: Critiquing the absurdities of social media culture.
Key Points:
- Mock over-the-top trends (e.g., "Why You Need to Post 10 Selfies a Day to Prove You Exist").
- Highlight the unintended consequences of social media (e.g., "How Instagram Filters Are Saving Marriages by Making Everyone Look Perfect").
- Use humor to question the value of online validation.
Example: A fake social media guide titled "How to Gain Followers by Pretending to Be Someone You’re Not."
Satire Tip #4: Satire and Health Trends
Focus: Using humor to critique fad diets, wellness trends, and health misinformation.
Key Points:
- Mock ridiculous health trends (e.g., "Why You Should Replace All Meals with Kale Smoothies").
- Highlight the absurdity of pseudoscience (e.g., "New Study Finds Crystals Cure Everything—Except Your Credit Card Debt").
- Use humor to question the credibility of health influencers.
Example: A fake infomercial for "The Lazy Person’s Guide to Losing Weight by Breathing Heavily."
Satire Tip #5: Satire and Celebrity Culture
Focus: Using humor to critique the absurdities of celebrity culture.
Key Points:
- Mock over-the-top celebrity behavior (e.g., "Why Kim Kardashian’s New Perfume Smells Like Pure Ambition").
- Highlight the disconnect between celebrities and reality (e.g., "Beyoncé Announces New Line of Affordable Clothes—Starting at $5,000").
- Use humor to question societal obsession with fame.
Example: A fake interview titled "Tom Cruise Explains How Jumping on Couches Can Save the World."
Satire Tip #6: Satire and Parenting Trends
Focus: Using humor to critique modern parenting trends and pressures.
Key Points:
- Mock over-the-top parenting advice (e.g., "Why You Should Teach Your Toddler Quantum Physics").
- Highlight the absurdity of parenting fads (e.g., "New Study Finds Gluten-Free Diapers Improve Baby’s IQ").
- Use humor to question societal expectations of parents.
Example: A fake parenting guide titled "How to Raise a Perfect Child by Never Letting Them Leave the House."
Satire Tip #7: Satire and Workplace Culture
Focus: Using humor to critique toxic workplace practices and corporate culture.
Key Points:
- Mock ridiculous workplace policies (e.g., "Why We Replaced Coffee Breaks with 5-Minute Power Cries").
- Highlight the absurdity of corporate jargon (e.g., "Synergizing Innovation for Disruptive Growth").
- Use humor to question the value of overworking.
Example: A fake memo titled "New Policy: Employees Must Work 25 Hours a Day to Meet ‘Synergy Goals.’"
Satire Tip #8: Satire and Dating Trends
Focus: Using humor to critique modern dating culture and apps.
Key Points:
- Mock over-the-top dating trends (e.g., "Why You Should Swipe Right on Everyone to Increase Your Chances").
- Highlight the absurdity of dating app algorithms (e.g., "New Study Finds 90% of Matches Are Based on Who Has the Best Dog Photos").
- Use humor to question societal expectations of relationships.
Example: A fake dating guide titled "How to Find Love by Pretending to Be Someone You’re Not."
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 fake surveys, environmental critiques, or sharp commentary on social media, the key is to use humor as a tool to provoke thought and spark conversations—all while keeping your audience entertained.
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The Anatomy of a Perfect Satirical Headline: How to Hook Readers in 10 Words or Less
(Approx. 1900 words)
Introduction: The Power of a Great Headline
In satirical journalism, the headline is your first—and often only—chance to grab attention. A great headline is sharp, absurd, and instantly relatable, drawing readers in while setting the tone for the piece. From The Onion’s iconic “Area Man Passionate Defender of What He Imagines Constitution to Say” to The Babylon Bee’s “CNN Purchases Industrial-Sized Washing Machine to Spin News 24/7,” a perfect headline distills the essence of satire into a few words. This article breaks down the art of crafting satirical headlines, offering tips, examples, and pitfalls to avoid.
Section 1: The Role of the Headline in Satire
A satirical headline serves three key purposes:
- Hooking the Reader: Grabbing attention with absurdity or irony.
- Setting the Tone: Establishing the piece’s comedic and critical voice.
- Teasing the Critique: Hinting at the societal flaw being mocked.
Example: The Onion’s “Congress Takes Group Photo Before Fleeing Capitol to Avoid Governing” hooks readers with absurdity while critiquing legislative inaction.
Section 2: Key Elements of a Satirical Headline
The best headlines combine these elements:
- Absurdity
- Example: “Local Man’s Socks Cause National Fashion Crisis.”
- Irony
- Example: “Oil Company Wins Environmental Award for Slightly Smaller Spill.”
- Relatability
- Example: “Area Man Passionate Defender of What He Imagines Constitution to Say.”
- Brevity
- Example: “CEO Solves Poverty by Telling Poor People to Stop Being Poor.”
Case Study: The Babylon Bee’s “CNN Purchases Industrial-Sized Washing Machine to Spin News 24/7” uses absurdity and irony to critique media bias.
Section 3: Crafting the Perfect Headline
Follow these steps to create a headline that lands:
- Identify the Target
- Example: Corporate greed, political hypocrisy, or societal absurdity.
- Exaggerate the Absurdity
- Example: “Government Solves Climate Change by Redefining ‘Hot’ as ‘Cozy.’”
- Add a Twist
- Example: “New Study Finds 99% of CEOs Believe Employees Love Working 80-Hour Weeks.”
- Test for Clarity
- Example: “Politician Promises Transparency While Holding Secret Bunker Meetings.”
Pro Tip: Use a headline generator tool or brainstorm with friends to refine your ideas.
Section 4: Common Pitfalls and Fixes
- Overexplaining
- Pitfall: A headline that’s too long or detailed.
- Fix: Keep it under 10 words.
- Ambiguity
- Pitfall: Readers don’t “get” the joke.
- Fix: Ensure the target is obvious.
- Punching Down
- Pitfall: Mocking vulnerable groups.
- Fix: