Satire and Irony

Satire

What is Satire? 

the 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.

Methods

• Exaggeration: To enlarge, increase, or represent something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous and its faults can be seen.

• Incongruity: To present things that are out of place or are absurd in relation to its surroundings.

• Reversal: To present the opposite of the normal order (e.g., the order of events, hierarchical order).

• Parody: To imitate the techniques and/or style of some person, place, or thing.

​Caricature

​Carcicature: An exaggerated portrayal of the weaknesses, frailties or humorous aspects of a group.

​Understatement

​Understatement: Saying less than what is meant

• Example: You come in from a torrential downpour and say, “It’s a bit wet out there.”

​Sarcasm

​Sarcasm: Harsh, personally directed comment; using praise to mock someone; usually aims to hurt 

• Example:  To refer to a 98-pound weakling as a real “he-man”

​Irony

​Irony- a strong contrast between

reality and expectations

1. Verbal irony- when a character or writer says something different than what he or she actually means.

2. Situational irony- when what happens is different than the audience’s expectations.

3. Dramatic irony- when the audience knows more than a character

Example 1

Open Ended

What is the topic being satirized in this sketch?

Poll

What method did the writer use to convey their satire?

• Exaggeration

• Incongruity

• Reversal

• Parody

Example 2

Open Ended

What is the topic being satirized in this sketch?

Poll

What method did the writer use to convey their satire?

• Exaggeration

• Incongruity

• Reversal

• Parody

Example 3

Open Ended

What is the topic being satirized in this sketch?

Poll

What method did the writer use to convey their satire?

• Exaggeration

• Incongruity

• Reversal

• Parody