Satire refers to a work that ridicules:   human vices and follies   or social institutions and conventions

 The effects of satire are varied, depending on the writer's goal, but good satire, often humorous, is thought provoking and insightful about the human condition.

 Regardless of whether or not the work aims to reform human behavior, satire is best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing.

 It is a manner of writing that mixes a critical attitude with wit and humor.

 It can be recognized by the many devices used effectively by the satirist:  hyperbole (exaggeration)  understatement  irony  sarcasm (verbal irony)  caricature

 Additionally, word choice (diction) and sentence structure (syntax) create humor as well as a wide range of satirical tones.

 It is a manner of writing that mixes a critical attitude with wit and humor.

Subject Occasion What is the comment about these events?

 The following slides describe the various devices that often appear in satirical writing.

  Hyperbole is deliberate exaggeration to achieve an effect; overstatement.

  “I had to move revolvers out of my way to make room for my bowl of Rice Krispies on the kitchen table.”

  Understatement – a rhetorical form in which the force of a descriptive statement is less than what one would normally expect

  For Example:   “Being tortured with fire must have been

somewhat uncomfortable.”

  “Rap videos with dancers in them are not uncommon.“

  “There are a just few Starbucks in America."

  Irony   The contrast between what is stated

explicitly and what is really meant   The difference between what appears

to be and what actually is true

  In general, there are three major types of irony used in language: verbal, situational, and dramatic.

  But, for non-fiction writing, one only needs to focus on verbal irony and situational irony

  In verbal irony, the words literally state the opposite of the writer's (or speaker's) true meaning.

  “I looked up at those crows flying away and thought, I’m going to like it here.”

  In situational irony, events turn out the opposite of what was expected.

  Non-fiction writers usually describe situations that are ironic to draw attention to the incongruities of that situation to make a larger point.

  Sometimes materializing in anecdotes, situational irony is a subtle device used in satirical pieces.

  A caricature is an exaggeration or other distortion of an individual's prominent features or characteristics to the point of making that individual appear ridiculous.

  The term is applied more often to graphic representations than to literary ones.

 While we read Twain’s work, we will notice his use of satire to convey messages.

 Next week, you will be completing a practice rhetorical analysis essay and activities.

 Then, on Wednesday, March 25th you will have a timed-writing rhetorical analysis essay in class.