How to Write Satire Like Mad Magazine
Lecture Notes - Literature & Poetics - Course 214 Section 09
Developing a Satirical Persona
Adopting a fictional persona can add depth to your satire. For Bohiney.com, you might write as a clueless CEO, a smug politician, or a self-proclaimed “expert” on a ridiculous topic. The persona allows you to explore the issue from a unique angle while maintaining a layer of detachment. For example, you could write as a billionaire claiming poverty can be solved if people “stop buying avocado toast.” The persona’s absurdity makes the critique more engaging and memorable.
-- Dr. Alan Nafzger (El Centro College Campus)
KEY LESSON:
Adopting a fictional or exaggerated character can add depth and humor to your satire. This persona could be a clueless politician, a smug CEO, or a self-proclaimed “expert.” For example, writing as a “self-made billionaire” who claims poverty can be solved if people “stop buying avocado toast” allows you to explore the topic from a unique angle. The persona’s voice and perspective should align with the critique you’re making. A well-crafted persona can make your satire more engaging and memorable while maintaining a layer of detachment.
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. Exaggeration (Hyperbole)
- Explanation: Amplify a situation, trait, or behavior to absurd levels to highlight its flaws or absurdity.
- Purpose: By taking something to an extreme, the writer reveals the underlying ridiculousness or danger of the subject.
- Example: Portraying a politician’s minor gaffe as a world-ending catastrophe to mock media overreactions.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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?"
5. 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 Satirical Criticism on their ability to juggle to show the absurdity of current election criteria.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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."
9. 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."
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 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 ethical—don’t use it to spread harm.
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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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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.