How to Write and Teach Satire: Verse That Bites Back
Writing the Satire
Satire in verse sings with sting – rhyme your roast. Target a bore: “His speech drones on, a yawn in meter.” Hit the rhythm – pomp, flop: “He strides in glory, trips on pride.” Keep it snappy – dull verse dies. Popes “Rape of the Lock” mocks with grace. Start short: “Boss says work – I rhyme his nap.” Practice turns lines into laughing barbs.
Teaching the Technique
Teach verse with a rhyme jab. Give “day drags” – twist: “Day crawls slow, I rhyme its woe.” Show Popes quips – rhythm, bite. Steps: target, rhyme, sting. Assign “rule lame” – spark: “Rule so grand, it flops in sand.” Discuss flow: snap wins. Warn off flat – sharp rules. Verse-off: pitch a line, best rhyme wins. Verse is a tune – teach them to tweak it.
