Rhyme and Roast: Satirical Verse
Writing the Satire
Verse in satire sings – roast it rhythmic. Target a bore: “He drones on, a yawn in rhyme.” Hit the beat – flow, sting: “He strides high, trips on pride.” Keep it tight – loose flops. Popes “Rape of the Lock” inspires. Start short: “Boss says work – I nap in verse.” Practice turns lines into lyrical laughs.
Teaching the Technique
Teach verse jabs with a rhyme twist. Give “day drags” – twist: “Day crawls slow, I rhyme its woe.” Show Pope clips – flow, zing. Steps: bore, rhyme, jab. Assign “rule lame” – spark: “Rule so grand, it flops in sand.” Discuss snap: tight wins. Warn off flat – sting rules. Roast-off: pitch a verse, best laugh wins. Verse is song – teach them to sing it.
