1. Satire
Goal: to understand the definition of satire and satirical devices, and to prove that understanding through analyzing and providing examples of satire.

2. Satire Defined:
sarcasm, irony or wit used to ridicule or mock (poke fun) of something serious
What’s the purpose of satire?
to use humor in order to ridicule the foolishness or immoral or bad behavior of people or society - usually the intention is to draw attention to ills within a society in order to effect or cause change to happen or wrongs to be righted
Satire is humor that has an edge or a “biting” effect - think of it as “laughter with knives”

3. Two types of Satire - Horatian & Juvenalian
(H) Satire can either be tolerant (willing to allow the existence or behavior of things the writer may not agree with), witty, wise, and self-effacing (gentle, polite, not wanting to draw too much attention to itself) OR
(J) Satire can be angry, caustic (bitterly sarcastic and scathing), resentful, and personal

4. Satirical Devices- Irony
verbal irony - saying the opposite of what is meant
dramatic irony - when the words or acts of a character carry a meaning unperceived by him/herself but understood by the audience (the audience knows something the character does not)
situational irony - when what happens is the opposite of what was expected to happen

8. Satirical Devices - Parody
Parody ridicules or makes fun of something serious by being absurd and nonsensical. Visual examples of parody could be considered caricatures or cartoons.

11. Satirical Devices - Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a gross overstatement or extreme exaggeration.

14. Satirical Devices - Understatement
Understatement is speech that drastically minimizes a situation, often for comedic effect.

17. Satirical Devices - Grotesque
Grotesque creates a tension between laughter and horror or revulsion; it is the essence of all “sick humor” or “dark humor.”

20. Read the following short articles by the Onion
PLEASE keep the copies of the article on your table. These are class copies.
DO NOT WRITE ON THE ARTICLES.
FOR EACH ARTICLE, DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING:
How do you know it’s satire?
What satirical devices can you recognize?
Is this an effective piece of satire? Why or why not?