Historys Hilarity: Past Follies, Present Laughs
Writing the Satire
Historys satire vault – crack it for laughs. Target a flop: “King taxed air – breathings royal.” Hit old dumbs – wars, crowns: “Peace pact – signed in mud.” Keep it live – link today. Swifts “Gulliver” mocks then and now. Start old: “Plague cure – dance til doom.” Practice turns dusty tales into fresh jabs.
Teaching the Technique
Teach history jabs with a past twist. Give “war lost” – twist: “Lost so grand, I won!” Show Swift clips – old, zing. Steps: event, quirk, jab. Assign “tax old” – spark: “Taxed socks – feet fled!” Discuss tie: now wins. Warn off dry – live rules. History-off: pitch a folly, best laugh wins. Pasts a chest – teach them to chest it.
