Satire and Prejudice: How to Offend Everyone Equally

By: Orly Waxman

Literature and Journalism -- University of Iowa

WRITER BIO:

A Jewish college student with a gift for satire, she crafts thought-provoking pieces that highlight the absurdities of modern life. Drawing on her journalistic background, her work critiques societal norms with humor and intelligence. Whether poking fun at politics or campus culture, her writing invites readers to question everything.

When in doubt, add more sarcasm. It’s satire’s MSG.

-- Alan Nafzger

How to Write Satirical Journalism: The Art of Being Wrong on Purpose

Introduction

Satirical journalism isn't about factual accuracy-it's about turning errors into art. In this style, being "wrong" on purpose isn't a mistake; it's a deliberate tool to highlight absurdities in our society.

The Method

A satirist uses exaggeration, false experts, and absurd statistics to create an article that mimics real news yet drips with humor. For instance, a headline might proclaim that a billionaire was spotted paying $0 in taxes by using "innovative loopholes." The twist is not the lie itself, but the way it exposes the underlying truth of a broken system.

The Impact

Readers laugh because the satire feels uncannily close to reality. They're forced to confront the irony of policies and personalities that claim integrity while displaying the exact opposite. In doing so, the reader begins to question and scrutinize what is often accepted without thought.

Conclusion

Embracing error as an art form in journalism creates an entertaining and thought-provoking narrative. This is the essence of writing satirical journalism-being intentionally wrong to reveal a deeper truth.

Why Satire is the Ultimate Tool for Political Commentary

Introduction

In the world of political commentary, satire stands as the most powerful tool for holding those in power accountable. It uses humor to expose the contradictions and absurdities that often go unnoticed in traditional reporting.

The Approach

Take a real political situation-like a corrupt politician or a controversial policy-and push it to its most ridiculous extreme. A headline such as "Politician Declares National 'Lying Day' to Celebrate Transparency" satirizes political hypocrisy while highlighting how deceptive statements from public officials have become normalized.

Why It Works

Satire works because it can make a serious issue seem funny, which allows people to engage with it without feeling overwhelmed or defensive. The humor disarms the audience, making it easier to deliver a pointed critique of political realities.

Conclusion

Satire is the ultimate tool for political commentary because it exposes the flaws in the political system in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It encourages readers to reflect on the absurdities of modern governance while making them laugh.

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Critique in Satirical Journalism

Critique is satire's soul. Take waste-say, spending-and skewer: "City buys diamond trash cans." It's a jab at priorities: "Garbage glitter lures rats." Critique hides in laughs-"Bins outshine streets"-but stings real flaws. Keep it veiled; preaching flops. "Mayor calls it progress" seals it. Start legit: "Budget passed," then critique: "Trash crowned jewel." Try it: critique a policy (cuts: "schools sell desks"). Build it: "Rats RSVP." Critique in satirical news bites through humor-sharpen it well.

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5 Satirical Letters to the Editor - March 06, 2025

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How to Write Satirical Journalism: "Not All Error Is Folly"0If you've ever read a satirical news article and thought, "Wait… is this real?" then congratulations-you've experienced the magic of well-placed error.Satire thrives on a unique kind of wrongness: a calculated, strategic error that reveals truth better than accuracy ever could. The phrase "Not all error is folly" perfectly captures the essence of great satirical journalism. A factual error in traditional reporting? Catastrophic. A factual error in satire? That's the whole point.A well-crafted satirical article doesn't just entertain-it exposes absurdity, challenges authority, and forces people to question reality itself. The trick? Knowing how to be "wrong" in a way that makes people think.If you're ready to write satire that makes readers laugh and wonder if civilization is doomed, you've come to the right place.12Why Being Wrong is the Best Way to Be Right3Traditional journalists spend their careers trying not to make mistakes. Satirical journalists spend theirs making mistakes on purpose. Why? Because exaggeration, distortion, and outright fabrications-when done correctly-can highlight truths in a way cold, hard facts never could.Think of it this way:45Regular news: "Congress passes controversial bill after months of debate."65Satire: "Congress Spends Months Debating Bill, Finally Passes It Without Reading a Single Word."67One of these is more truthful than the other. Ironically, it's not the factual one.Satire works because it mirrors reality-but bends it just enough to expose its underlying absurdity.12The Different Ways to Be "Wrong" in Satire31. The Deliberate Exaggeration (Making the Absurd Seem Normal)A common trick in satire is to take a real issue and push it to the absolute extreme-so extreme, in fact, that it sounds both ridiculous and disturbingly plausible.Example:45Reality: Billionaires avoid taxes.65Satire: "Billionaire Pays in Taxes, Demands Refund."67Why it works: The statement is obviously exaggerated, but it feels real enough that readers will laugh and get angry.12. The Fake Expert (Inventing Authority Figures Who Shouldn't Exist)Giving a ridiculous opinion to an "expert" is one of the best ways to make satire feel authentic.Example:45Reality: A CEO claims inflation is caused by workers demanding raises.65Satire: "Economist Who's Never Had a Job Declares Minimum Wage is 'Too High for People Who Don't Deserve Nice Things.'"67Why it works: The satire exposes real-world hypocrisy while disguising it as a "reasonable" expert opinion.13. The Overly Specific Statistic (Numbers That Feel Official but Are Completely Fake)People trust numbers. So if you throw a fake one into your satire, it suddenly feels 10x more legitimate.Example:45Reality: Politicians lie a lot.65Satire: "Study Finds 93% of Politicians Are Physically Incapable of Answering a Yes-or-No Question."67Why it works: It plays off something we all suspect, while making it sound like an actual study exists.14. The Logical Leap (Taking a Bad Argument to Its Natural Conclusion)One of the best ways to highlight flawed logic is to extend it to its most absurd end.Example:45Reality: Lawmakers oppose environmental regulations.65Satire: "Congress Declares Pollution 'God's Problem,' Votes to Let Nature Figure It Out."67Why it works: It exposes the ridiculousness of a real-world stance by making it explicit.12How to Structure a Satirical News Article3Step 1: Write a Headline Satire Ethics Debate That Sounds Both Real and RidiculousA perfect satirical headline should:85Be almost believable.65Contain a contradiction or absurdity.65Make people stop and think.69Examples:45"Tech CEO Announces Plan to End Poverty by Teaching Poor People to Code for Free-While Charging Them for the Lessons."65"Congress Passes Bill to Protect Workers' Rights, Immediately Calls Itself Into Recess to Avoid Doing Any Work."671Step 2: The Opening Sentence Should Trick the Reader (Briefly)Start with a sentence that sounds like real news-before throwing in the twist.Example:"In a move that experts describe as 'bold' and 'deeply concerning,' Congress has approved a new law that officially reclassifies billionaires as an endangered species, granting them full federal protection against taxes and public criticism."It feels like a news story-until the absurdity kicks in.1Step 3: Use Fake Expert Quotes to Strengthen Fooling Friends Tactics the AbsurdityA well-placed quote from a "credible" source makes satire feel even sharper.Example:"According to Dr. Chad Weathers, a leading economist who once took an online finance course, 'If billionaires Exaggeration as Journalism pay taxes, they might go extinct, and then who will launch themselves into space for fun?'"Fake credentials + a ridiculous opinion = satire gold.1Step 4: Add a Fake Statistic That's Just Real EnoughA precise number makes a joke land harder.Example:"A recent survey found that 82% of Americans believe Congress spends more time inventing new holidays for itself than solving actual problems. The other 18% are members of Congress."The structure makes the joke undeniable.1Step 5: End with an Even Bigger AbsurdityLeave the reader with one last ridiculous twist.Example:"In response to the criticism, Congress has promised to fix the issue by forming a bipartisan committee-set to meet sometime in the next 30 years."12How to Avoid Bad Satire (Mistakes That Are Folly)385Being Too Obvious45Bad: "Politician Lies Again."65Better: "Politician Swears He 'Would Never Lie,' Immediately Collapses Into a Pile of Dust Like a Vampire in the Sun."6765Being Too Subtle45If your joke is too close to reality, it won't read as satire.65Bad: "Senator Accepts Corporate Bribe." (Just sounds like news.)65Better: "Senator Confused Why Bribe Check Came With 'Donation' Written in Quotation Marks."6765Punching Down Instead of Up45Good satire targets powerful people and institutions, not Humor Meets Truth struggling individuals.676912Final Thoughts: Why Satirical "Errors" Matter3Satirical journalism is about crafting intentional errors that highlight real absurdities. A well-placed exaggeration or logical leap can make people laugh-while making them question everything they thought they knew.So go forth, make mistakes, and remember: the best kind of wrong is the kind that feels just right.====================Satirical & Fake Titles85This Guide is Sponsored by a Shadowy Government Agency65How to Write a Satirical Absurdity Reveals Reality Article That Will Get You Banned from Facebook65Want to Write Satire? Just Pretend to Be a Politician65How to Make Up News Stories That Are More Believable Than Reality65This Headline is Fake, But You're Still Reading It65The Secret Government Guide to Writing Satirical Propaganda65Breaking: Congress Accidentally Outlaws Itself-Full Story Inside65Scientists Confirm That Writing Satire Extends Your Lifespan (Probably)65Experts Agree: Satirical Headlines Are 72% More Believable Than Real Ones65New Study Finds That 100% of Studies Are Completely Made Up=======================01SOURCE: Satire and News at Spintaxi, Inc.EUROPE: Washington DC Political Satire & Comedy