Understanding Satire

Presentation by Katie Holbrook

What is satire?

Satire: The use of humor to attack or ridicule something, such as a person, habit, idea, institution, society, or custom that is, or is considered to be, foolish, flawed, or wrong.

The goal of satire is to improve society and/or behavior.

Satire attempts through humor and laughter to inspire individuals, institutions, and humankind to improve or to encourage its readers to put pressure on individuals and institutions so that they may be improved for the benefit of all.

IN OTHER WORDS: A satire makes fun of something or someone in order to make a point.

Satirical “Advertisement”

Look at the satirical advertisement on the next slide and ask yourself:

What or who is the subject of the satire?

What comment is the satire making?

Satirical Ad:

Satirical Ad: Big Mac Attack

What is the subject of this satire?

McDonald’s / Big Macs

Real Big Mac ad

Satirical Ad: Big Mac Attack

What comment is the satire making?

Big Macs and McDonald’s food are unhealthy and will eventually kill you by giving you a heart attack.

Satirical Techniques

There are certain techniques that satirists (writers of satire) use to create satire.

Satirical Techniques

Hyperbole (Exaggeration)

To enlarge, increase, or represent something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous and its faults can be seen.

Caricature—exaggerating physical traits

Satirical Techniques

Parody To imitate the

techniques and/or style of some person, place, or thing in order to ridicule the original.

Parody of Rick James

The real Rick James

Satirical Techniques

Reversal To present the opposite

of the normal order. Reversal can focus on: The order of events hierarchical order

Satirical Techniques

Oxymoron (Contradiction)

To present things that are out of place or are absurd in relation to its surroundings.

Satirical Techniques

Other techniques:

List Silly or inherently funny words Sarcasm / verbal irony Understatement Pun (Did you hear about the guy whose

whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.)

Satirical Ad: Big Mac Attack

What techniques does the satire use?

Parody: the ad makes fun of the slogan “Big Mac Attack” by changing its meaning from wanting a Big Mac to dying from a heart attack

Satirical Ad: Big Mac Attack

What techniques does the satire use?

Contradiction: the McDonald’s golden arch or “M” is used on a heart monitor instead of where we normally see it (on signs, on ads, etc)

Satirical Ad: Big Mac Attack

What techniques does the satire use?

Exaggeration: while Big Macs are definitely unhealthy, one Big Mac will not cause a heart attack. Most likely, McDonald’s food is not the only cause of a person’s heart attack.

What do satirists attack?

7 Deadly Sins: Pride Greed Violence Laziness Lust Jealousy Gluttony

Other Vices: Stupidity Poor decision making Prejudice Self-centeredness Selfishness Corruption Wastefulness Hypocrisy Dishonesty

Assignment:

You will analyze satirical ads to determine: The subject of the satire The comment the satire is making The technique(s) the satire uses

Why? Satire is prevalent in our culture and a critical way that people make statements about our world. Analyzing it in ads will prepare us to analyze satire in writing as well as to create our own satires.

Directions:

1. First, you will see the original advertisement.

2. Second, you will see the satire of the advertisement or company.

3. Write: 1. The subject of the satire

2. The comment the satire is communicating

3. The technique(s) used to satirize – identify and explain one technique (most ads will use more than one)

Satirical Ad #1 – original ad

Satirical Ad #1

1.Subject of the satire:

2. Comment the satire is making:

3. Technique(s):

Satirical Ad #2 – original ad

Satirical Ad #2

1.Subject of the satire:

2. Comment the satire is making:

3. Technique(s):

Satirical Ad #3 - original

Satirical Ad #3

1.Subject of the satire:

2. Comment the satire is making:

3. Technique(s):

“Less cars, more world. Rivers wanted.”

Satirical Ad #4 – original ad

Satirical Ad #4

1.Subject of the satire:

2. Comment the satire is making:

3. Technique(s):

Satirical #5 – original ad

Satirical Ad #5

1.Subject of the satire:

2. Comment the satire is making:

3. Technique(s):

Extra Time?

If we have extra time, we will also analyze the following ads.

If not, turn in your assignment for a grade.