How to Write Satirical Memes That Go Viral
Lecture Notes - Literature & Poetics - Course 286 Section 01
Developing a Satirical Persona
Adopting a fictional persona can add depth to your satire. For Bohiney.com, you might write as a clueless CEO, a smug politician, or a self-proclaimed “expert” on a ridiculous topic. The persona allows you to explore the issue from a unique angle while maintaining a layer of detachment. For example, you could write as a billionaire claiming poverty can be solved if people “stop buying avocado toast.” The persona’s absurdity makes the critique more engaging and memorable.
-- Dr. Alan Nafzger (El Centro College Campus)
KEY LESSON:
Sarcasm can add a biting edge to your satire, but it must be used carefully. Overuse can make your writing seem mean-spirited or alienate readers. For example, “Brilliant idea: Solve homelessness by building luxury condos no one can afford” uses sarcasm to mock ineffective solutions. To use sarcasm effectively, ensure it aligns with your overall tone and message. It should enhance the critique, not overshadow it. Sarcasm works best when it’s sharp, concise, and targeted at the right subject.
Satirical journalism is a unique form of writing that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to critique and comment on societal issues, politics, or human behavior. To craft effective satirical journalism, writers employ specific strategies to engage readers while delivering sharp commentary. Here are the top 10 strategies in writing satirical journalism, explained:
1. Parody
- Explanation: Mimicking a well-known style, work, or person in a humorous way to critique or mock it.
- Purpose: Leverages familiarity to draw readers in and make the critique more relatable.
- Example: Writing a fake self-help book titled "How to Succeed in Business by Ignoring Everyone and Taking All the Credit" to mock toxic workplace culture.
2. Irony
- Explanation: Highlighting the gap between what is expected and what actually happens, often to expose hypocrisy or contradiction.
- Purpose: Forces readers to question the subject by presenting a stark contrast between appearance and reality.
- Example: A headline like "Oil Company Wins Environmental Award for Spilling Less Oil Than Last Year" to critique corporate greenwashing.
3. Exaggeration (Hyperbole)
- Explanation: Blowing a situation, trait, or behavior out of proportion to emphasize its absurdity or flaws.
- Purpose: By magnifying the issue, the writer reveals its inherent ridiculousness or danger.
- Example: Writing an article titled "Local Man’s Decision to Wear Socks with Sandals Causes National Security Crisis" to mock how trivial matters are sensationalized.
4. Sarcasm
- Explanation: Using sharp, cutting remarks that say the opposite of what is meant, often to mock or ridicule.
- Purpose: Adds a biting tone that makes the critique more memorable and impactful.
- Example: "Fantastic job solving the housing crisis by building luxury apartments no one can afford—truly groundbreaking work."
5. Absurdity
- Explanation: Presenting wildly illogical or nonsensical situations to highlight the absurdity of real-world issues.
- Purpose: Forces readers to confront the irrationality of certain norms or behaviors.
- Example: Suggesting that "traffic congestion can be solved by teaching cars to fly" to critique the lack of practical solutions from policymakers.
6. Satirical Persona
- Explanation: Adopting a fictional or exaggerated character to deliver the satire, often with a distinct voice or perspective.
- Purpose: Allows the writer to explore topics from a unique angle while maintaining a layer of detachment.
- Example: Writing as a "self-proclaimed productivity guru" who suggests solving unemployment by having people work 25-hour days.
7. Juxtaposition
- Explanation: Placing two contrasting ideas, situations, or characters side by side to highlight their differences.
- Purpose: Emphasizes the absurdity or hypocrisy of a situation by comparison.
- Example: Contrasting a CEO’s $10 million bonus with a minimum-wage worker’s struggle to afford groceries, under the headline "Trickle-Down Economics at Its Finest."
8. Understatement
- Explanation: Deliberately downplaying the significance of something to highlight its importance or absurdity.
- Purpose: Creates a dry, humorous effect that can be more impactful than direct criticism.
- Example: Describing a massive data breach as "a minor hiccup in customer privacy" to mock corporate indifference.
9. Puns and Wordplay
- Explanation: Using clever or humorous word choices, double meanings, or Satirical Commentary puns to add wit and humor to the critique.
- Purpose: Engages readers with clever language while subtly making a point.
- Example: Headlining an article about political scandals as "Politicians Caught in a Web of Lies—Spider-Man Unavailable for Comment."
Bonus Tips for Effective Satirical Journalism:
- Know Your Audience: Tailor the tone and content to resonate with your readers’ sensibilities and knowledge.
- Stay Relevant: Focus on current events or timeless issues to ensure the satire feels timely and impactful.
- Avoid Overexplaining: Trust your readers to get the joke; let the humor and irony speak for themselves.
- Balance Humor and Critique: Ensure the satire has a clear point and isn’t just humor for humor’s sake.
By combining these strategies, satirical journalists can entertain readers while delivering incisive commentary on the world around them. The key is to use humor as a tool to provoke thought, challenge norms, and spark conversations—all while keeping the audience engaged and laughing.
Satire should be daring—push boundaries, but stay ethical.
===================
How to Master Satirical Journalism: A Guide to Cutting-Edge Critique
Satirical journalism is more than just humor—it’s a way to hold a mirror up to society, exposing flaws, hypocrisy, and absurdities through wit and irony. Here’s how to create satire that’s sharp, engaging, and unforgettable:
1. Find the Right Target
- What to Do: Choose a subject that’s universally relatable or deeply controversial. The best targets are those that people already feel strongly about.
- Example: Corporate greed, political incompetence, or societal double standards.
- Why It Works: A well-chosen target ensures your satire resonates with a wide audience.
2. Turn the Absurd into the Hilarious
- What to Do: Take a real-world issue and twist it into something ridiculous. The more absurd your take, the more it highlights the problem.
- Example: Suggest that "traffic jams can be solved by teaching cars to meditate and practice patience."
- Why It Works: Absurdity forces readers to see the issue in a new light.
3. Create a Memorable Satirical Voice
- What to Do: Develop a unique tone or persona for your satire. This could be a fictional character, an exaggerated version of yourself, or a parody of a public figure.
- Example: Write as a "tech bro" who claims the solution to climate change is "uploading the planet to the cloud."
- Why It Works: A strong voice makes your satire distinctive and engaging.
4. Use Irony to Expose Hypocrisy
- What to Do: Highlight the gap between what people say and what they do. Irony is a powerful tool for revealing contradictions.
- Example: A headline like "Politician Promises Transparency While Holding Secret Meetings in a Bunker."
- Why It Works: Irony makes readers question the integrity of the subject.
5. Parody Popular Formats
- What to Do: Mimic a well-known style, genre, or format to deliver your critique. This could be a news article, a TED Talk, or even a cooking show.
- Example: Write a fake "TED Talk" titled "How to Save the Economy by Printing More Monopoly Money."
- Why It Works: Parody makes your satire instantly recognizable and relatable.
6. Juxtapose the Ridiculous with the Real
- What to Do: Place two contrasting ideas or situations side by side to highlight their differences.
- Example: Compare a billionaire’s space tourism venture to the lack of funding for public schools.
- Why It Works: Juxtaposition emphasizes inequality and absurdity.
7. Add a Touch of Sarcasm
- What to Do: Use sharp, cutting remarks that say the opposite of what you mean to mock or ridicule.
- Example: "Brilliant idea to solve the housing crisis by building luxury condos no one can afford—truly groundbreaking."
- Why It Works: Sarcasm adds a biting edge that makes your critique unforgettable.
8. Understate for Maximum Impact
- What to Do: Deliberately downplay the significance of something to highlight its absurdity or importance.
- Example: Describe a massive corporate scandal as "a minor hiccup in ethical decision-making."
- Why It Works: Understatement creates a dry, humorous effect that can be more impactful than direct criticism.
9. Incorporate Clever Wordplay
- What to Do: Use puns, double meanings, or witty phrases to add humor and depth to your writing.
- Example: Headline an article about political scandals as "Politicians Caught in a Web of Lies—Spider-Man Unavailable for Comment."
- Why It Works: Wordplay engages readers and makes your satire more entertaining.
10. Break the Fourth Wall
- What to Do: Directly address the audience or acknowledge the satirical nature of your piece.
- Example: "Yes, this is satire—but isn’t it terrifying how close it feels to reality?"
- Why It Works: Breaking the fourth wall creates a connection with readers and reinforces your message.
Pro Tips for Success
- Stay Timely: Focus on current events or evergreen issues to keep your satire relevant.
- Know Your Audience: Tailor your tone and content to resonate with your readers’ sensibilities.
- Balance Humor and Critique: Ensure your satire has a clear point and isn’t just humor for humor’s sake.
- Avoid Overexplaining: Trust your readers to get the joke; let the humor and irony speak for themselves.
Example of Satirical Journalism in Action
Headline: "Government Announces New Plan to Solve Climate Change: Banning All Clocks."
Content: In a bold move to combat climate change, the government has announced a new initiative: banning all clocks. "If we stop measuring time, we can’t run out of it," said a spokesperson. Critics argue this does nothing to address rising temperatures, but officials insist it’s a "forward-thinking solution." "Besides," they added, "who needs time when you have optimism?"
By following these steps and techniques, you can craft satirical journalism that entertains, provokes thought, and challenges the status quo. The key is to use humor as a tool to spark conversations and inspire change—all while keeping your audience engaged and laughing.
====================
From Swift to Social Media: Mastering Satirical Journalism in the Digital Age
(Approx. 1900 words)
Introduction: The Evolution of Satire
Satirical journalism has evolved from pamphleteers like Jonathan Swift to viral TikTok skits and meme-driven commentary. While the core principles remain—exposing hypocrisy, mocking absurdity, and provoking thought—the tools and platforms have transformed. Today’s satirists must navigate algorithms, misinformation, and shortened attention spans. This article explores how to adapt timeless satirical techniques to modern media while maintaining ethical integrity and comedic impact.
Section 1: Classic Techniques Reimagined for Modern Audiences
Even in the digital age, foundational strategies remain vital but require fresh execution:
- Juxtaposition in the Era of Instagram
- Classic: Contrasting wealth and poverty in Dickensian literature.
- Modern: Posting a split-screen TikTok: “CEO’s Private Jet vs. Employee’s 2-Hour Commute.”
- Understatement in a World of Hyperbole
- Classic: Orwell’s 1984 downplaying dystopian horrors.
- Modern: A tweet: “Climate change is going great—polar bears just need snorkels now.”
- Satirical Personas for Viral Appeal
- Classic: Swift’s fictional “modest proposer.”
- Modern: Creating a TikTok character like “Corporate Cathy,” a clueless CEO who “solves” worker strikes by offering pizza parties.
Example: The Twitter account @dril uses an absurd persona to critique internet culture, blending nonsense with sharp social commentary.
Section 2: Leveraging Digital Platforms
Each platform demands tailored strategies:
- Twitter/X: Bite-Sized Irony
- Tactic: Condense satire into 280 characters.
- Example: “BREAKING: Congress passes bill banning all bills until further notice.”
- TikTok/Reels: Visual Absurdity
- Tactic: Use green screens, filters, and skits to mock trends.
- Example: A creator dressed as a “futuristic politician” lip-syncing to AI-generated promises.
- Substack/Newsletters: Long-Form Parody
- Tactic: Mimic corporate or governmental communication styles.
- Example: A fake “Amazon Prime Memo” announcing “Same-Day Delivery for Basic Human Rights.”
Case Study: The Onion successfully transitioned to Instagram, using memes like “Area Man Passionate Defender of What He Imagines Constitution to Say” to engage younger audiences.
Section 3: Ethical Challenges in the Digital Age
The speed and reach of online satire pose unique risks:
- Misinformation and Virality
- Risk: Satirical posts can be misread as fact.
- Solution: Use disclaimers (e.g., “Satire—but honestly, could you tell?”).
- Algorithmic Bias
- Risk: Platforms prioritize outrage over nuance.
- Solution: Pair humor with hashtags like #Satire or #NotRealNews.
- Ethical