Merriam-Webster defines “satire” as “a way of using humor to show that something is foolish, weak, bad, etc.” Many stand-up comedians are masters at delivering criticism through jokes. However, satire is not always laugh-out-loud funny; it can be quite subtle. Movies, TV shows, songs, comics, and books can all be satirical.
Writing a satire essay is a fun creative challenge for most students. Such an essay is a test of not only your writing skills, but also your observation skills. These tips will help you find out how to write a satire essay and submit your finished draft in no time.
Understand the Goal
While you do have some leeway when writing a satire essay, you still need to stick to a basic plan. Use your viewpoint to make the reader laugh, but be sure that a serious point lies just beneath the jokes. Use this opportunity to take a stand for something you believe strongly in. For example, if you believe that there should be a cap on personal wealth, you can talk about rich people in a way that’s both comedic and caustic. Your audience should be able to identify the main thrust of your essay. The classic film “Dr. Strangelove” includes plenty of gags and absurd situations, but it really serves as a comment on the inanity of nuclear warfare.
Study Good Examples
Film examples of satire range from the silly yet disturbingly profound cult classic “Idiocracy” to the recent crime drama “The Wolf of Wall Street.” You can search for other examples online, but here are a few more to give you a better idea of what you’re shooting for:
- Stephen Colbert, formerly of “The Colbert Report,” satirized political conservatives through his exaggerated characterization.
- Check out some performances or writings by late comic George Carlin.
- Watch “South Park,” which makes fun of numerous people and concepts in hilarious ways.
Again, as you listen to or read the jokes, be sure you understand what is really being criticized. While “Idiocracy” may at first seem to be simply poking fun at dumb people, it’s really making a statement about the dumbing-down of our society and what that means for the future of America, which is slightly different.
Choose Your Victim
Now it’s time for you to decide what you’re going to make fun of in your essay. You could pick
- Institutions (government, healthcare, religion, family, education, money)
- Culture (the American Dream, veganism, rap music, the Mafia, Halloween, beauty standards)
- People (politicians, athletes, musicians, drug dealers, socialites, your relatives)
- Events (presidential debates, Deflategate, the development of virtual air traffic control)
- Situations (being single, unemployment, drunk driving)
Be sure your topic is something you’re personally passionate about, because you’ll finish your assignment more quickly, more capably, and with more enjoyment.
Write for Your Audience
If you want to get a good response to your satire essay, be sure you’re writing about something that the reader understands. If you’re turning your essay in to an instructor, chances are he or she is educated and worldly enough to understand your points. However, if you’re going to be reading your essay out loud in class, stick to subjects that most students can appreciate. Teenagers and young adults will have a hard time relating to your skewering of Apartheid or educational films of the ’50s. And be careful not to offend if you’re writing for a wide audience.
Wield Your Tools
The tools you need for an effective satire are sarcasm and hyperbole. Sarcasm is language that is mocking, cutting, or insulting. The old saying “With friends like you, who needs enemies?” is an example of sarcasm. Hyperbole is gross exaggeration.
If you’ve written well, your satire essay will be both funny and infuriating. Whereas a straight critical piece might come across as a downer, a satire draws people in by entertaining them while delivering the sad news. Readers will laugh at your delivery but get fired up about the underlying issue. While a satire may seem like a fluff piece, it can actually be a key instrument in influencing change. Learning how to write a good satire essay is a skill that will serve you well.
