Analyzing Satire: The Paper
Purpose: 1) identify the four techniques of satire in a satirical work 2) explain how the
four techniques of satire contribute to comments or criticisms being made by a satirical
work 3) use visual literacy skills to analyze, interpret, and explain non-print media.
Audience: A group of college students who are already familiar with the issue being
criticized through satire.
Assignment: Write a 4-5 page essay that explains how individual techniques of satire
are used in popular culture to make a comment about a subject from contemporary
society. You may choose any example of satire that you wish: The Colbert Report,
Saturday Night Live, The Onion, The Daily Show, The Simpsons, Futurama, etc… The
essay should include a summary of the episode/text, an explanation of the main comment
or criticism the episode/text is making, and identify at least two of the four different
examples of satirical elements used in the episode. The four types of satirical elements (to
be discussed more in-depth in class) are: Exaggeration: To enlarge, increase, or
represent something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous and its faults
can be seen. Incongruity: To present things that are out of place or are absurd in relation
to its surroundings. Reversal: To present the opposite of the normal order (e.g., the order
of events, hierarchical order). Parody: To imitate the techniques and/or style of some
person, place, or thing.
For each example of satirical technique, the paper should describe the example in
concrete detail, explain what the subject, idea, or issue was like before it was satirized,
explain how a satirical technique (such as exaggeration) is used in the example, and
explain how the example contributed to the main comment or criticism about
contemporary society.
Sources: It is unlikely that you will use any outside sources as this should be based
primarily on your own analysis skills; however, you will still need to include a works
cited page to reference the text/show you are discussing.
Evaluation: When evaluating this paper, I will be looking to see how well you were able
to explain how the satirical techniques worked to make some sort of commentary about
our social/political life. I will also be looking to see the level of sophistication your
analysis offers; that is, are you merely pointing out obvious traits or conclusions about
the piece, or have you made an effort to go beyond easy interpretation to find subtle
criticisms within the piece?
In addition, just as with all papers in this class, your essay will need to meet the general
criteria of any good academic writing: a clear focus, logical and purposeful organization,
strong use of supporting evidence, and thoughtful development of the ideas you are
presenting. And it will need to be well written both stylistically and grammatically.
Creating Satire: The Presentation
The Presentation:
For your presentation, you will be asked, in groups of 3-4, to create an original
performance piece that uses the techniques of satire to make a comment or criticism
about an issue in contemporary society. The piece must be original and include at least
three different types of satirical techniques. Responses can include a parody of a
newspaper reporting a news event that might appear in The Onion or on The Daily Show,
a parody of a popular song that might be sung by someone such as “Weird Al" Yankovic,
or a skit that might be seen on Saturday Night Live or Mad TV.
One group member will need to introduce the piece by giving a brief description of your
piece as well as highlighting the goals of your presentation and reviewing the satirical
techniques used by the group.
You will be given the opportunity to choose your fellow group members, and I will
assign those who have no preferences a group to work with. You will need to meet
outside of class to prepare and practice your presentation, but you will be given some
time to meet during class. If you choose, you may record your performance rather than
present it to the class, and we will watch it during class.
Technical Matters:
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Your presentation should last at least 7 minutes, but you will not be formally
timed. You may choose to use some of that time “setting up” your presentation if
you’re satirizing an issue that the class may not be familiar with.
Each group member must speak. You will be graded as a group, but points will
be taken off an individual member’s grade if s/he doesn’t participate as actively as
the other members.
You will be graded on creativity, significance of issue discussed, and presentation
style.
Have fun!