Satire
Using Humor to Persuade . . .
From Reading to Writing In “A Modest
Proposal,” Jonathan Swift uses wit and irony to
draw attention to the serious social problems in
18th-century Ireland.
Satire
Using Humor to Persuade . . .
Swift was a master of achieving biting social
criticism through satire, a form of persuasive
writing that uses humor to attack human vice or
folly. By using satire, a writer can expose
problems or argue for change in a way that is
powerful but not preachy.
Basics in a Box
Satire at a Glance
of
Takes aim at a particular person,
institution, or idea to call attention
to a problem, folly, or vice.
Criticism
RUBRIC
Uses humor, wit, and irony to
attack the problem.
Humor
Standards for Writing
A successful satire should
• poke fun at people, ideas, customs, or
institutions to persuade readers to change
• use a tone that matches the goal
• use humor, exaggeration, understatement, and
specific examples to reveal the subject in a
more critical light
• make clear the object of the satire, but
make the reader discover the writer’s
true perspective on the issue
• use a form that enhances the writer’s
purpose
Writing Your Satire
1
Prewriting
What really bugs you? Make a list of
everything from your personal pet peeves
to global concerns. Include such things as
rude drivers, ridiculous dress codes,
gender stereotyping, air pollution, and
ethnic wars.
Planning Your Satire
1. Dissect your victim. Satire depends on a
careful analysis and evaluation of the target
subject. Pick apart those aspects of your
subject that seem weak or absurd and plan to
highlight these in your piece.
2. Choose a form. Satire comes in all sizes,
shapes, and forms. It can be a letter, a
proposal, an advice column, a report, an
essay, a speech, or a story. Select a form that
you think fits your subject.
Planning Your Satire
3. Match your tone with your goal. Do you
want to poke gentle fun or offer biting
criticism? Your goal should determine your
tone.
4. Flaunt your attitude. Satire enables writers
to go too far. You can make absurd and
ridiculous suggestions. You can exaggerate
the importance of trivial events or facts. You
can understate critical truths. It’s all part of
your attitude, and with the right use of
satirical techniques you can pull it off.
Writing Your Satire
2
Drafting
Freewriting can help you discover your
satirical voice. Just start writing and don’t
worry about how it sounds yet. Keep going
until you begin to develop a sense of how
your ideas are taking shape. You can go
back later and revise your piece so voice is
consistent throughout.
Writing Your Satire
2
Drafting
Keep in mind that satire needs to hit the
topic hard so your readers have no doubt
about the issue you are addressing. You
want, however, to be subtle and indirect
about where you really stand on the issue.
Let your readers mull over your ideas and
figure out your true feelings.
Writing Your Satire
3
Revising
Target Skill
USING APPROPRIATE DICTION
Keep in mind that diction—the words you
choose—helps set the tone for your
satire. Diction can be formal or informal,
technical or general, depending on the
purpose. As you revise, choose words
that best suit your tone and subject.
Writing Your Satire
4
Editing and Proofreading
Target Skill
PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT
Check to see that all personal pronouns
agree with their antecedents in number
(singular or plural), gender (masculine,
feminine, or neuter), and person (first,
second, or third).