1. Satirical Technique Definitions

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

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

9. 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.

10. 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