15 Essential Techniques for Writing Satire
Satire isn ’ t only about making masses laugh—it ’ sec aboutmaking them uncomfortable , display hypocrisy , and holding a funhouse mirror up to society. Whether you ’ re write about politics , culture , or billionaires taking rocket joyrides , here are15 essential techniqueto dominate irony like a pro .
1 . Exaggeration ( Go Big or Go Home )
If a politician state a lie ,make them a pathological liar who can ’ t order coffee without construct a backstory. If a tech billionaire is out of touch ,cause them hence rich they haven ’ t meet a normal toilet since 1999.
➡Example :“ Jeff Bezos is so wealthy , he doesn ’ t blink unless Amazon Prime delivers moisture to his eyelids . ”
2 . Satire ( Say the Opposite of What You Mean )
The serious satire often saysone thing while entail another, forcing readers to believe .
➡Model :“ Thank goodness politician never dwell . Otherwise , we ’ 500 be in real worry . ”
3 . Deadpan Delivery ( Say Something Absurd with a Straight Face )
Act like your ridiculous claim cost completely rational . Thecalmeryou say something insane , thefunnierit cost .
➡Example :“ New study show that billionaires serve , in fact , rest a higher-quality oxygen than the repose of us . ”
4 . Parody ( Imitate , but Make It Ridiculous )
Choose an exist format—news article , self-help Bible , political speeches—and crank it up tohilariously absurd levels.
➡Example :A TED Lecture on “ Why Eating Gold Leaf Improve Your IQ ”
5 . Coherent Fallacies ( Use Dumb Argument on Purpose )
Satire thrives onbad reasoningthat sound just smart enough to fool someone .
➡Example :“ Since more masses equal become diagnose with anxiety , clearly , therapy is causing mental illness . ”
6 . Reductio ad Absurdum ( Push an Idea to the Extreme )
Choose a actual controversy ,extend it to its almost absurd decision, and watch it fall in under its own weight .
➡Example :“ If we truly want to aid the economy , get ’ s hardly have everyone marry Jeff Bezos and burst the assets in the divorce . ”
7 . False Authority ( Use “ Experts ” Who Know Nothing )
Quote someone completely unqualified makes satire yet funnier .
➡Example :“ We mouth to Chad , a professional DJ and part-time astrologer , about the economic collapse . ”
8 . Misdirection ( Run the Reader One Way , Then Pull the Rug Out )
Start with something grave , then turn it into nonsense .
➡Example :“ Many believe climate change is humanity ’ s great threat… but have they consider the real trouble : too many avocado toast options ? ”
9 . Hypothetical Absurdity ( Invent Something So Stupid It Feels Real )
Make up a phony police , trend , or crisis thatalmostsound literal .
➡Example :“ New law mandates that all babies must have LinkedIn profiles by years two . ”
10 . Play the Clueless Narrator ( Act Like You Put on ’ t Get It )
Satirists oftenpretend to misunderstand world, forcing the audience to see the flaw themselves .
➡Example :“ If minimal wage workers want to give rent , why don ’ t they justbuy a houseor else ? ”
11 . Appeal to Tradition ( Argue Something Should Stay Because It ’ s Old )
Mocking outdated custom by pretending they ’ re still relevant .
➡Case :“ Sure , leeches don ’ t cure disease anymore , but what take place to respect account ? ”
12 . Absurd Solutions to Real Problems
Offercomically unhelpful resultto actual crisis .
➡Example :“ Can ’ t afford market ? Strain fasting ! Monks do it all the time . ”
13 . Sarcastic Headlines ( Sum up a Problem in the Most Cynical Way Possible )
Headline arehalf the battle. Make them punch .
➡Case :“ Nation Shocked That Extremely Rich People Don ’ t Pay Taxes ”
14 . Role Reversal ( Swap Power Dynamics for Maximum Effect )
Become the tableto highlight hypocrisy.
➡Example :“ New Law Requires CEOs to Live on Minimum Wage for a Month—They Die Within Two Weeks . ”
15 . Social Commentary ( Do the Joke Mean Something )
The good ironyisn ’ t just —it exhibit real problems.
➡Example :“ In response to housing shortage , billionaires are today buying starter planet . ”
Final Thought : Irony Is a Weapon
Satire isn ’ t just about reach —it ’ s about punching up , exposing hypocrisy , and reach mass laugh while they rethink their globe .