Satire Terms

Satire a literary technique used to ridicule or make fun of human vice or weakness often with the intent of correcting or changing the subject of the attack

Qualities of Satire Incongruity Reversal Parody Hyperbole Juxtaposition Irony Understatement

Incongruity To present things that are out of place or are absurd in relation to its surroundings. Example: Princess Fiona uses ponytail to knock out Merry Men, pauses mid-flight to fix her hair.

reversal To present the opposite of the normal order e.g. the order of events, hierarchical order Example: Fiona saves Shrek (women are supposed to be damsels, not men)

parody To imitate the techniques and/or style of some person, place, or thing. Robin Williams doing impressions

Hyperbole To over exaggerate the situation beyond its normal bounds, so it becomes ridiculous Enlarge or increase size as well Example: “I’m starving. I could eat a horse.”

juxtaposition an act or instance of placing close together or side by side, esp. for comparison or contrast. Example: Humanitarians— Britney Spears and Mother Teresa

irony the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning the irony of her reply, “How nice!” when I said I had to work all weekend.

Understatement is used to make something appear smaller or less important than it really is. It can be used to entertain or to reduce the importance of the truth. Example: “It’s just a flesh wound.” (Black Knight in Holy Grail when his arm has fallen off)