Dodging the Dud: Keeping Satire Sharp

Dodging the Dud: Keeping Satire Sharp

Writing the Satire

Satire duds when it kicks down or blurs – dodge that trap. Target a smug suit: “He cut pay to gild his jet’s throne.” Clarity’s gold – vague flops: “Council bans bikes to save tires,” not “bikes suck.” Test it: jab a policy – “Tax breaks built my moon base!” – not rants. Chappelle hits up, not out. Start safe: “No phones – kids mail via owls.” Practice keeps it satire, not spite, sharp as a blade.

Teaching the Technique

Teach dud-dodging with a target check. Scenario: “new tax” – fair? “Mayor’s jet tax” beats “poor guy’s dime.” Show flops – comics bombing on weak – vs. “Daily Show” nailing duplicity. Fix a dud – “Teens are dumb” to “Tech lords ban youth to hoard apps.” Discuss aim: up wins. Warn off cruelty – satire’s a scalpel, not a bat. Pitch-off: propose a jab, group picks the truest. Sharp’s the goal – teach them to hone it.