




It is an artistic form in which individual or human
vices, abuses, or shortcomings are criticized using
certain characteristics or methods.
Usually found in dramas and literature, but it is
popping up in modern media forms such as cartoons,
film, and other visual arts.
Satire is used to encourage the public to view human
faults or morally unacceptable behaviors as
humorous and ridiculous.
It is also used to encourage changes in current issues
or to discourage current public behaviors.
There are two main types: Horatian and Juvenalian



Playfully criticizes vices with
wit, exaggeration, gentle and
light hearted humor
Issues being criticized are
viewed as “folly” rather than
evil to society and meant to
make us laugh
Looking to make people
laugh at themselves, rather
than looking for changes to
occur.





Has a more abrasive
tone
Criticizes social
“evils” or
corruption through
scorn, outrage, and
savage ridicule
More often
pessimistic, using
sharp sarcasm to
criticize social
issues
Generally related to
political satires
Focuses on morals
rather than humor













Irony (verbal, situational, dramatic)
Analogy
Oxymoron
Sarcasm
Hyperbole / Exaggeration
Understatement
Juxtaposition
Parody/Spoofing
Burlesque
Double Entendres/Pun
Anachronism
Antithesis
Anticlimax





When a person says or writes one thing but means another
Whatever is said/written is the opposite of the literal meaning
Verbal irony is often stated in the form of a metaphor or simile.
Comparisons and contrasts are used to create a visualization for the
listener or reader.
Examples:
It is as sunny as day in winter in Alaska.
 He's as nice as a lion to his prey.
 This chair is as comfortable as sitting on nails.





Situational irony occurs when the final outcome is contradictory to
what was expected.
Usually, the episodes in the plot of a story will lead the audience to
expect a particular resolution or ending.
If such an expected outcome fails and instead another contrary outcome
occurs, the absurdity is termed situational irony.
Examples:

A fire station burns down
The marriage counselor files for divorce

The police station gets robbed




The reader/viewer knows
something important/secret that the
characters don’t (can be about past,
present, or future)
Shakespeare is king of this! (Romeo
thinks Juliet is dead, but we know
better!)
Other examples:
Two people are engaged to be
married but the audience knows that
the man is planning to run away
with another woman.
 In a scary movie, the character walks
into a house and the audience knows
the killer is in the house.
 Sometimes a person is in disguise
and the other character talks with
him as if he is someone else. Since
this is known by the audience, it
adds to the humor of the dialogue.



Two things that
seem different,
but can be
compared in
likeness because
they have similar
characteristics
Can be based on
people, situations,
or objects



Figure of speech that
combines contradictory
words or phrases something
that is surprisingly true
Usually an adjective-noun
combination
Some oxymorons may be
incorrect, but established to
suggest a joke (Ex. Business
Ethics or Military
Intelligence)


Sharp, bitter, or cutting
expression or remark; a
bitter jibe or taunt shown
through irony or
understatement.
Witty comments meant to
amuse. Possibly used to
cause pain or make a point.


An extravagant statement or figure of speech not
intended on being taken literally.
Meant to encourage strong feelings or impressions
to make an effect.






Takes a real-life situation and reducing it to make it ridiculous and
showcase its faults, or it can make the situation seem less
important than it really is.
For example, you win 10 million dollars in a lottery. When you tell
a news reporter “I am delighted”, you are making an
understatement.
Example: giving the nickname “tiny” to a 350 pound man, or
describing him as “not the smallest guy in the room.”
An understatement usually has an ironic effect (similar to
situational irony) as an equally intense response is expected in
severe situations but the statement in response is the opposite of
what was expected.
Example: Your friend returns your new coat with blots all over it;
in response, you make an understatement: “It doesn’t look too
bad”.
Therefore, an understatement is opposite to hyperbole.
12


Placement of two things (usually abstract concepts,
but sometimes physical objects) near each other.
Used to compare or contrast two items in one setting
or work of literature to add emphasis in one way or
another.


Something created in
order to mock,
comment on, or
trivialize a certain
author, subject matter,
style, or some other
issue in a humorous
manner.
Is many times used in
a playful manner as
well, meant to be
lighthearted and to
poke fun at.




Similar to parody, it is a
literary, dramatic, or musical
work intended to cause
laughter about the original
work.
If the subject contains
frivolities, they are treated
seriously, and the serious
elements are treated
frivolously
Everything (generally) is an
opposite (ex. dropped ice
cream is turned into
melodramatic scene).
Often includes a character
who is in a serious situations
acting highly inappropriate.



A figure of speech in which a phrase or set of words is
meant to be viewed/understood in two different ways (with
the first meaning being obvious, and the second being less
so and often risque!)
The character Charley (Master) Bates from Charles
Dickens’ Oliver Twist.
Some examples of accidental double-entendres that have
been printed in newspapers or published on the Internet
include:





Panda mating fails: veterinarian takes over
Miners refuse to work after death
New obesity study looks for larger test group
Children make nutritious snacks
Criminals get nine months in violin case




Placing an idea, invention, item or word in the
wrong time period.
This is not always used just for satire and may just
be an unintentional error.
When used deliberately, it adds to the humor of
the story by highlighting contrasts between one
era and another.
Examples: Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles, History
of the World



An obvious contrast or direct opposite in setting, character,
events, symbolism, morals, etc.
It involves the bringing out of a contrast in the ideas by
an obvious contrast in the words, clauses, or sentences,
within a parallel grammatical structure, etc. to contrast
views.
These are examples of antithesis:






"Man proposes, God disposes." - Source unknown.
"Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing." - Goethe.
"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." - Neil
Armstrong.
"To err is human; to forgive divine." - Alexander Pope.
"Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice." - William Shakespeare.
"Many are called, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:14.



A disappointing resolution to a conflict or plot
development.
Something trivial that concludes a series of important and
dramatic events.
Why do authors use anti-climax?
When employed intentionally, it devalues the subject by
producing a ludicrous or comic effect.
 Therefore, it is frequently used for satirical and humorous
composition in literature and movies.


Ex. a villain's dastardly plans are a winding set of complex
actions, that can be stopped with the push of a button.