Satire or Lampooning is most often found in the performing arts, but it is also found as a genre in print. Satire is the ridicule or derision of particular vices or idiosyncrasies for the purposes of irony and humor with the intent of bringing about shame and change of that behavior. Although satire is usually funny it can still serve its purpose by employing a strong sense of wit. A selected piece can be satirized in a few simple steps.
Select a piece of writing, play, or story to satirize, and note the stand out features which make it unique, such as a look, strong chin, a turn of phrase. If you wish to write a satirical piece about a politician or other celebrity try and select the one thing that stands out about that person and exaggerate it. Exaggerate the feature by drawing particular attention to it. For instance, in a play or movie, repeat the turn of phrase loudly or obviously, or for a story use a signature phrase excessively, to the point of ridicule. For a public feature you might use a sign-off phrase or focus on a physical aspect, but keep it humorous, try not to be tacky and insulting.
Complete the satire by turning the usual ending upside down. For instance if the ‘hero’ always saves everyone at the end, in a satire have their idiosyncrasy cause everyone’s demise, or if people usually live “happily ever after”, have an add-on section which starts “until…” and have something comical such as “she had triplets…” or “he lost his job and started to drink…”
There are many examples of satirical Television shows, eg The Daily Show, The Colbert Report (Satires on the News & Politics). Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a good example of satire which basically satirizes everything from religion to science to environmentalism to war. Look in any of the major newspapers in the country and the political cartoon will probably be a satirical look at some current event of the day. When friends get together to honor a colleague they will often have a “roast” of that person where friends give short speeches which satirize the person’s life in a comical way. Satire then can be a useful tool to draw attention to particular situations while at the same time entertaining in a light-hearted way.
Finally, satire can also be used to teach. Writing satire requires looking at a topic from a different point of view, and similarly those at whom it is directed are forced to view themselves from a new perspective also. We must be vigilant however because while it can be a valid and powerful tool for levity and change, if it is not written with clear thought, it can also ridicule and harm. However, this latter use often backfires, and is easily seen through as cheap sensationalism. Good satire then is generally used for its comedic value though when properly and thoughtfully applied it can be a powerful tool for change.
