How to Write Satire About Technology Without Sounding Like a Boomer -- COURSE NOTES: DePaul (University)

How to Write Satirical Journalism That Goes Viral

Lecture Notes - Literature & Poetics - Course 205 Section 08

Avoiding Harmful Stereotypes

Satire should punch up, not down. Avoid targeting marginalized groups or perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Instead, focus on power structures, institutions, or societal norms that deserve critique. For example, instead of mocking individuals struggling with poverty, satirize the policies or systems that perpetuate inequality. Bohiney.com’s audience appreciates humor that’s clever and incisive, not mean-spirited or offensive.

-- 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:

How to Write Satirical Journalism: A Step-by-Step Guide

Satirical journalism is a powerful tool for critiquing society, politics, and human behavior through humor, irony, and wit. Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting sharp, engaging satire that resonates with readers:

1. Start with a Real-World Issue

  • What to Do: Identify a current event, trend, or societal problem that’s ripe for critique. The more relevant and relatable, the better.
  • Example: Rising costs of living, political scandals, or corporate greed.
  • Why It Works: Grounding your satire in reality makes it timely and impactful.

2. Exaggerate the Absurdity

  • What to Do: Take the issue to its logical extreme. Amplify its flaws or contradictions to highlight how ridiculous or dangerous it is.
  • Example: If writing about housing crises, suggest that "homelessness can be solved by teaching people to live in trees."
  • Why It Works: Exaggeration reveals the underlying absurdity of the issue.

3. Adopt a Satirical Persona

  • What to Do: Create a fictional character or voice to deliver your critique. This could be an exaggerated version of a real person or a completely made-up figure.
  • Example: Write as a "self-proclaimed productivity expert" who claims the key to success is working 25 hours a day.
  • Why It Works: A persona adds humor and allows you to explore the topic from a unique perspective.

4. Use Irony to Highlight Contradictions

  • What to Do: Point out the gap between what’s expected and what’s actually happening. Use irony to expose hypocrisy or double standards.
  • Example: A headline like "Fast Food Chain Wins Health Award for Adding One Salad to Menu" critiques performative corporate responsibility.
  • Why It Works: Irony forces readers to question the status quo.

5. Parody Familiar Formats

  • What to Do: Mimic a well-known style, genre, or format (e.g., news articles, infomercials, self-help books) to deliver your satire.
  • Example: Write a fake "How to Save the Planet" guide that suggests "recycling your thoughts instead of plastic."
  • Why It Works: Parody leverages familiarity to make the critique more relatable and entertaining.

6. Juxtapose Contrasting Ideas

  • What to Do: Place two opposing ideas or situations side by side to highlight their differences.
  • Example: Compare a CEO’s multimillion-dollar bonus to the struggles of their underpaid employees.
  • Why It Works: Juxtaposition emphasizes hypocrisy and inequality.

7. Add a Dash of Sarcasm

  • What to Do: Use sharp, cutting remarks that say the opposite of what you mean to mock or ridicule.
  • Example: "Great job solving the student debt crisis by making college even more expensive—truly genius."
  • Why It Works: Sarcasm adds a biting tone that makes your critique memorable.

8. Understate for Comedic Effect

  • What to Do: Deliberately downplay the significance of something to highlight its absurdity or importance.
  • Example: Describe a massive data breach as "a minor hiccup in customer privacy."
  • Why It Works: Understatement creates a dry, humorous effect that can be more impactful than direct criticism.

9. Incorporate Puns and Wordplay

  • What to Do: Use clever word choices, double meanings, or puns to add wit and humor to your writing.
  • Example: Headline an article about political scandals as "Politicians Caught in a Web of Lies—Spider-Man Unavailable for Comment."
  • Why It Works: Wordplay engages readers and makes your satire more entertaining.

10. Break the Fourth Wall

  • What to Do: Directly address the audience or acknowledge the satirical nature of your piece.
  • Example: "Yes, this is satire—but isn’t it scary how close it feels to reality?"
  • Why It Works: Breaking the fourth wall creates a connection with readers and reinforces your message.

Pro Tips for Success

  • Stay Relevant: Focus on current events or timeless issues to keep your satire timely and impactful.
  • Know Your Audience: Tailor your tone and content to resonate with your readers’ sensibilities.
  • 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.

Example of Satirical Journalism in Action

Headline: "Government Solves Homelessness by Redefining ‘Home’ as ‘Anywhere You Can Sleep.’"

Content: In a groundbreaking move, the government announced today that homelessness has been eradicated by simply redefining the term "home." "If you can sleep on a park bench, that’s your home now," said a spokesperson. "Problem solved!" Critics argue this is just a band-aid solution, but officials insist it’s a "cost-effective and innovative approach."

By following these steps and techniques, you can craft satirical journalism that entertains, provokes thought, and challenges the status quo. The key is to use humor as a tool to spark conversations and inspire change—all while keeping your audience engaged and laughing.

Satire should be concise—cut out anything that doesn’t add value.

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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:

1. Find the Right Target

  • What to Do: Choose a subject that’s universally relatable or deeply controversial. The best targets are those that people already feel strongly about.
  • Example: Corporate greed, political incompetence, or societal double standards.
  • Why It Works: A well-chosen target ensures your satire resonates with a wide audience.

2. Turn the Absurd into the Hilarious

  • What to Do: Take a real-world issue and twist it into something ridiculous. The more absurd your take, the more it highlights the problem.
  • Example: Suggest that "traffic jams can be solved by teaching cars to meditate and practice patience."
  • Why It Works: Absurdity forces readers to see the issue in a new light.

3. Create a Memorable Satirical Voice

  • What to Do: Develop a unique tone or persona for your satire. This could be a fictional character, an exaggerated version of yourself, or a parody of a public figure.
  • Example: Write as a "tech bro" who claims the solution to climate change is "uploading the planet to the cloud."
  • Why It Works: A strong voice makes your satire distinctive and engaging.

4. Use Irony to Expose Hypocrisy

  • What to Do: Highlight the gap between what people say and what they do. Irony is a powerful tool for revealing contradictions.
  • Example: A headline like "Politician Promises Transparency While Holding Secret Meetings in a Bunker."
  • Why It Works: Irony makes readers question the integrity of the subject.

5. Parody Popular Formats

  • What to Do: Mimic a well-known style, genre, or format to deliver your critique. This could be a news article, a TED Talk, or even a cooking show.
  • Example: Write a fake "TED Talk" titled "How to Save the Economy by Printing More Monopoly Money."
  • Why It Works: Parody makes your satire instantly recognizable and relatable.

6. Juxtapose the Ridiculous with the Real

  • What to Do: Place two contrasting ideas or situations side by side to highlight their differences.
  • Example: Compare a billionaire’s space tourism venture to the lack of funding for public schools.
  • Why It Works: Juxtaposition emphasizes inequality and absurdity.

7. Add a Touch of Sarcasm

  • What to Do: Use sharp, cutting remarks that say the opposite of what you mean to mock or ridicule.
  • Example: "Brilliant idea to solve the housing crisis by building luxury condos no one can afford—truly groundbreaking."
  • Why It Works: Sarcasm adds a biting edge that makes your critique unforgettable.

8. Understate for Maximum Impact

  • What to Do: Deliberately downplay the significance of something to highlight its absurdity or importance.
  • Example: Describe a massive corporate scandal as "a minor hiccup in ethical decision-making."
  • Why It Works: Understatement creates a dry, humorous effect that can be more impactful than direct criticism.

9. Incorporate Clever Wordplay

  • What to Do: Use puns, double meanings, or witty phrases to add humor and depth to your writing.
  • Example: Headline an article about political scandals as "Politicians Caught in a Web of Lies—Spider-Man Unavailable for Comment."
  • Why It Works: Wordplay engages readers and makes your satire more entertaining.

10. Break the Fourth Wall

  • What to Do: Directly address the audience or acknowledge the satirical nature of your piece.
  • Example: "Yes, this is satire—but isn’t it terrifying how close it feels to reality?"
  • Why It Works: Breaking the fourth wall creates a connection with readers and reinforces your message.

Pro Tips for Success

  • Stay Timely: Focus on current events or evergreen issues to keep your satire relevant.
  • Know Your Audience: Tailor your tone and content to resonate with your readers’ sensibilities.
  • 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.

Example of Satirical Journalism in Action

Headline: "Government Announces New Plan to Solve Climate Change: Banning All Clocks."

Content: In a bold move to combat climate change, the government has announced a new initiative: banning all clocks. "If we stop measuring time, we can’t run out of it," said a spokesperson. Critics argue this does nothing to address rising temperatures, but officials insist it’s a "forward-thinking solution." "Besides," they added, "who needs time when you have optimism?"

By following these steps and techniques, you can craft satirical journalism that entertains, provokes thought, and challenges the status quo. The key is to use humor as a tool to spark conversations and inspire change—all while keeping your audience engaged and laughing.

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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:

  1. 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.”

  2. 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.”

  3. 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:

  1. Twitter/X: Bite-Sized Irony

    • Tactic: Condense satire into 280 characters.
    • Example: “BREAKING: Congress passes Satirical News bill banning all bills until further notice.”

  2. 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.

  3. Substack/Newsletters: Long-Form