SATIRE AND SATIRICAL DEVICES Satirical Techniques Definitions Satirical techniques—used to make a comment or criticism about a particular subject or character. 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. Cartoons, especially political cartoons, provide extensive examples of caricature. Burlesque is the ridiculous exaggeration of language. For instance, when a character who should use formal, intelligent language speaks like a fool or a character who is portrayed as uneducated uses highly sophisticated, intelligent language. Incongruity To present things that are out of place or are absurd in relation to its surroundings. Particular techniques include oxymoron, metaphor, and irony. 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. 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. Information retrieved from ReadWriteThink.com Copyright 2006 NCTE/IRA SATIRE--From Fowler’s Modern English Usage Form Motive or Aim Province Method or Means Audience 1. humor discovery human nature observation the sympathetic 2. wit throwing light words and ideas surprise the intelligent 3. satire amendment morals and manners accentuation the self-satisfied 4. sarcasm inflicting pain faults and foibles inversion victim and bystander 5. invective discredit misconduct direct statement the public 6. irony exclusiveness statement of facts mystification an inner circle 7. cynicism self-justification morals exposure of nakedness the respectable 8. the sardonic self-relief adversity pessimism self