How to Write and Teach Satire: Mastering Irony
Writing the Satire
Irony is satire’s ninja move – you say one thing, mean its opposite, and sneak in a laugh. To write it, flip the script: praise a politicians “genius” as they botch a speech, or call a downpour “perfect picnic vibes.” Target a hypocrite – a manager banning breaks “to sharpen focus” while napping mid-meeting. The punch lies in that words-vs-truth clash; it is your stealthy zinger. Keep it slick – overexplaining kills the vibe. Swifts “A Modest Proposal” nails it, deadpanning baby-eating as a poverty fix – irony so sharp it still cuts. Start small: satire a “quiet” phone that buzzes like a chainsaw. Practice turns everyday doublespeak into gold.
Teaching the Technique
Teach irony with live flips, not dull rants. Toss students a headline – “Mayor Trims Budget” – and spark: “Mayor Cuts Cash for Platinum Self-Statue.” Show the sting: contrast lands the blow. Play “The Colbert Report” clips – fake cheer tearing into real flops. Spot irony in ads – a “healthy” sugar bomb – and twist it: “New diet: candy cardio!” Warn them off yelling “ironic!” – subtlety rules. Assign a quirk – a “fast” turtle – and critique drafts together. Vote for the slickest jab. Ironys a quiet stab – teach them to slice with a grin, not a megaphone.
