Satire Essay

Satire is a subject of variance, complex and requires intricate attention to detail, and this is why most students find it challenging to write, especially as a satirical essay. Satire is in itself an entire genre and to understand it within one sting would be an overwhelming task. However, in this guide, we will cover most of what is needed to write a good essay on satire comfortably. The reason this style of writing is admired and yet sophisticated is its dependence on creativity and innovation of witty commentary on everyday life. When you explore satire, you immediately realize that it embodies everything that surrounds us. It touches on the social issues that are significant to individuals and the communities where they reside.

In the creation of famous satirical essays, there is the addition of rich ingredients that make this genre possible. An understanding of these components, such as irony and hyperbole is necessary for hacking the complexity of satire. An essay on satire requires your full attention and will help your intellect grow as a student or as a writer. With great detail, we have outlined the necessary pointers and theories that will have your grades swiftly rising through the roof.

Defining a Satire Essay

Essential before you begin a correct definition of what satire essays are all about. In one powerful statement, Bassem Youssef, who hosted The Show), a satirical news program, from 2011 to 2014 explored the essence of satire. He spoke of not inventing satire himself as it has always existed to expose political, social, and religious taboos that result in the dangerous controlling of the masses.

In the end, he exclaimed that it guilts people into making changes in their lives. Therefore, satire essays employ the format of satire, a genre of literature whose foundation is to ridicule the foolishness in individuals and society's shortcomings. It does this by applying versatile techniques of writing, such as irony, humor, juxtaposition, exaggeration, and parody. With such devices in its tool belt, a satirical essay aims to hide society's deficiencies in plain sight.

Tips for Writing a Good Essay on Satire

Students wishing to unify their knowledge of satire as a genre and the intimidating task of writing an essay usually find this to be complicated. Often, this is because these key ingredients are sophisticated all on their own. However, this does not mean that the task is impossible, quite the opposite. Once you acknowledge that you are willing to learn, then the mission is in itself already completed. Therefore, your excellence depends on you following the following pointers as you pen down your satirical essay:

1. Comprehend your assignment.
2. Familiarize yourself with the satirical genre.
3. Pick a suitable topic.
4. Create your characters.
5. Employ the key ingredients.
6. Avoid sarcasm.

• Comprehend Your Assignment

Whenever the professor gives an assignment, it is especially important to follow instructions to the letter. The complexity of the satirical essay will only be more confusing when you divert from addressing the issue at hand. Direct your attention to the topic, such as the brainwashing effects of social media or political debates. Make sure to stick to that lane throughout your paper. Often, the instructor specifies a particular length for your essays on satire. Be sure to also adhere to the rules of your instructor. They might also be specific about the tone of the satire. We insist that you tailor your paper to these instructions, whether it be somber, sad, futuristic, and jovial or a witty atmosphere.

• Familiarize Yourself with the Satirical Genre

There are multiple examples of satire in literature, television, print media, social media, and the internet. These will provide you with a necessary foundation that will improve your understanding of satire as a genre and the components that make it up. For example, Mark Twain was a master of satire, incorporating the style in his many literary works.

In 'Tom Sawyer,' he explores the foolishness of being a child and yet does not spare to point out the same folly in the adults of that town. Other stories such as 'Gulliver's Travels,' 'Hunger Games' and movies such as 'Robocop' explore the themes of dystopia and a broken-down society. The tone conveyed in these stories will clue you in as to what is the aspired standards for an essay on satire.

• Pick a Suitable Topic

Everything so far has started to fall into place now that you have an understanding of satire and its brilliant function of social criticism. What next, you ask? Now, it is time to decide on a topic that speaks to you and most importantly, will talk to the one grading your paper. There are multiple topics you can choose from: celebrities, politicians, cyberbullies, social media activists, the world wars, the education system, the judicial system, and even athletes. Those are, but some of the many topics and an excellent way to know what to write about are to see what's trending and what's historically significant.

A great source of inspiration is talk shows such as Trevor Noah's, 'The Daily Show.' These shows take every day news and spin them off in an abusive manner to make them goofy news material that captures their audience. Comic strips in newspapers also do the same, making caricatures and silly personifications of politicians. Journalists have found that politics makes for good fodder for writing famous satirical essays. You too must find anything that portrays immoral behavior and pokes fun at it in a brilliantly written article. Avoid blunt criticism as this will not earn you good grades, instead use irony and humor to get your instructor involved in your story.

• Create Your Characters

The function of satire has to act as a method of social criticism, and when we have acknowledged that and have further chosen our topic, then we can begin. Creativity is natural to some of us and rare in others, but nothing is impossible if you plan well. Imagine a character or multiple characters and what you desire for them to portray.

Then pick character traits that describe them, i.e., greed, gluttony, rage, or any of the seven deadly sins. With this in mind, you can choose to further define them physically per character traits. If they are greedy, you could describe them as having potbellies, or if they are full of lust, they could have a sinister gaze. These descriptions will help solidify the characters in the reader's mind.

• Hyperbole, Humor, Irony, and Personification

These three stylistic devices will be the skeleton of your paper, but I don't necessarily mean that you splash them in every sentence. Good judgment on your part is the key to writing brilliant essays on satire.

Hyperbole will be used to exaggerate the story beyond that which most people typically expect. It should have a humorous effect on your essay and turn tragedy into comedy. You might choose to amplify the character's physical features, a government's powers over society, and results of crime in society as is seen in movies such as the purge or even the effects of global warming on the world. Exaggerating facts will prove to your reader that you have any ideas of what illogical effects satire can achieve.

Comparison of the real world and the world of satire is possible only by the use of ironical statements and actions. Implying irony is necessary when saying things that mean the opposite of what you mean or performing deeds that are inconsistent with what people expect you to do. An example is the 'Good Samaritan' from the Bible or hypothetically if a Jew, persecuted in the concentration camps rescues a Nazi soldier in hiding from the other angry Jews. An ironic statement would be something of this kind," Thanos, the mighty titan, sought to save half the universe by killing the other half to set things in balance.”

Humor is essential in cutting tension every day, and it achieves the same effect in satirical essays. But it should be used least as compared to the other stylistic devices. Or better yet, it should be consistent with the story you are writing and not forcefully added to for purposes of notification on the part of the reader. Witty statements are intellectual jabs at people's flaws, and it is achieved entirely by humor.

We achieve personification once the writer humanizes objects and things that lack the intellect that qualifies them as humans. Animal Farm or the movie Zootopia is a cut-throat analogy of personification as used in satire. Similes use this very style to define things, for example as brave as a lion, cowardly as a sheep and greedy pigs.

• Finding Innovative Topics

Your topic will be dependent on the instructions of your professor, and thus, your flexibility may be limited. However, when your freedom is guaranteed, there are ways you can explore satire to the maximum.

Satire Essay Topics

Satire Essay Topics Examples: The Education System

Write about something close to the heart of both you and your professor and what another way to address the education system. Take your time to understand the school you're in, from its establishment, the incidents memorable to many of the students and frustrations raised in suggestion boxes. By defending both sides of the system, your instructor will see that you have understood the implications the education system has on the teachers and the students. Some topics under this might be:

1. A Comical Review Of The Segregation System
2. A Funny Report On School Bullying And Vandalism
3. A Witty Look Into School Cafeterias
4. Humorous Reasons For Being Late To Class
5. A Comical Review Of The Lecturer's Different Sense Of Fashion
6. The Comical Effect Of Censorship And Cursing In School

Satire Ideas: Politics and Social Justice

Society projects their dreams and ideologies onto presidential candidates and politicians as observed by many political scientists. This has made a significant impact on most of the famous satirical essays written since politics became the trend. Daily news depends on satire to address societal issues such as immigration, war, human rights, and elections. Before you write an essay based on these headlines, be sure to research and investigate thoroughly. Below are examples of topics to choose from:

1. Humorously Describe The Impact Of The Legalization Of Marijuana In Some States
2. Use Wit To Pinpoint The Election Of Donald Trump
3. The Efforts Of Building A Wall 'Paid' By Mexico
4. The Possibility Of Trump's Reelection

Use creative styles to perform social criticism and avoid sarcasm as it comes off as lazy and insulting. Your family's quirks can also be a subject you are familiar with, and they are by far the easiest to describe using humor and hyperbole as you have known them better than anyone else.

General Tips on Satire Essays

• Remember that you are presenting a paper for grading. Therefore, follow instructions to the letter as this is a necessary ingredient to passing above average.
• The formality of your paper will depend entirely on how formal your lecturer takes things. Do not proceed too casually if your professor isn't just as casual. Ensure the level of humor you use is appropriate to the class you are in and the professor grading your paper.
• Tread lightly on topics such as rape, racism and police killings as they are sensitive issues and might be taken as offensive when addressed too casually. An excellent way to learn a different approach to learn about this is to watch morning talk shows.
• Delicately refer to the topic continuously, letting the stylistic devices we mentioned speak for themselves and shows the reader that you have not veered away from your themes.
• Whenever you use multiple sources for writing your satirical essay, remember to cite your sources as a reference section below your work using a well-formatted style.

Conclusion

That wasn't so bad now, was it? We have managed to scale a mountain that was only a molehill. The confidence you have now, as suggested by the many examples provided is more than enough to write your essay on satire. We offer similar articles that help with your assignments. Be free to look out for these whenever a difficulty arises.