Satirical Technique Definitions

SATIRE A literary work that ridicules its subject through the use of techniques such as exaggeration, reversal, incongruity, and/or parody in order to make a comment or criticism about it.

1. Exaggeration To enlarge, increase or represent something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous and its faults can be seen. Caricature is the exaggeration of a physical feature or trait.

2. Incongruity To present things that are out of place or are absurd in relation to its surroundings. Particular techniques include oxymoron, metaphor, and irony.

3. Parody To imitate the techniques and/or style of some person, place, or thing in order to ridicule the original. For parody to be successful, the reader must know the original text that is being ridiculed.

4. Reversal To present the opposite of the normal order. Reversal can focus on the order of events, such as serving dessert before the main dish or having breakfast for dinner. Additionally, reversal can focus on hierarchical order – for instance, when a young child makes all the decisions for a family, or when an administrative assistant dictates what the company president decides and does.

5. Analogy An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things. By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light.

6. Labeling Cartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for.

Political Cartoons Modern American political cartoons have been around since the nineteenth century. The increase in newspaper and magazine circulation in the 1800’s provided a rich environment for the rise and use of political cartoons, many of which advocated for social reform. People with minimal reading abilities could understand and relate to a format that communicated powerful ideas in a humorous and enlightened manner. Symbols, caricature, drawings, and exaggerations drawn by the cartoonist point out themes and problems of that historical era.

Political Cartoons Political cartoons serve to make people think about political and government issues by: Providing readers with additional viewpoints Assuming the reader has enough background knowledge about the issues to understand the message Emphasizing one side of an issue or concern Utilizing humor Relying on drawings to make a point