SATIRE A Rhetorical Strategy

What is Satire? Human or individual vices, follies, abuses, or shortcomings are held up to censure with an intent to bring about improvement. Satire is usually meant to be funny, but the purpose of satire is not primarily humor, and in itself, may often be quite an angry attack on something the author strongly disapproves of, using the weapon of wit. 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 2

The Necessary Ingredients: Humor Criticism, either general criticism of humanity and human nature, or specific criticism of an individual or group. Some kind of moral voice; simple mocking or criticism is not satire. 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 3

Tools of the Satirist

What is Irony? A rhetorical device, in which there is an incongruity between what a writer says and what is generally understood. May arise from a discordance between acts and results, especially if it is striking, and seen by an outside audience. Understood as an aesthetic evaluation by an audience. 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 5

What is Sarcasm? The sneering, sly jesting, or mocking of a person, situation or thing. A type of verbal irony intended to insult or wound by stating the opposite of the intended meaning. Used mostly in a humorous manner, but can express annoyance or anger. 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 6

What is Parody? Also called a Lampoon. An imitation of another work, person, event, etc., in order to ridicule, ironically comment on, or poke some affectionate fun at the subject being lampooned. Depends on hyperbole and allusion. 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 7

What is Burlesque? High Burlesque refers to a burlesque imitation where a serious style is applied to commonplace or comically inappropriate subject matter. Low burlesque applies an irreverent, mocking style to a serious subject. Pure burlesque is simply comedy. Intentionally ridiculous in that it imitates several styles with absurd descriptions. Depends on the reader's contextual expectations; when the comedy needs to be explicated, the effect is blunted. 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 8

What is a Double Entendre? A figure of speech similar to the pun, in which a spoken phrase can be understood in either of two ways and is thus a clever play on words. Example: The title of the short story, “The Most Dangerous Game." For many, a risque, even sexual, element is central to their understanding of double entendre. The first meaning is presumed to be the more innocent one, while the second meaning is risque, or at least ironic, requiring the hearer to have some additional knowledge. 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 9

What is a Caricature? A description of a person using exaggeration of some characteristics and oversimplification of others. Usually focuses on the weaknesses, frailties, or humorous aspects of an individual or group. 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 10

What is Defamiliarization? The technique of forcing the audience to see common things in an unfamiliar or strange way, in order to enhance perception of the familiar. 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 11

What is Diminutization? The portrayal of something generally perceived as very important as trivial or unimportant. ** Write a five sentence summary of these notes. ** 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 12

Identify which Satirical Tool is being used in each of the following examples…

When speaking of moving a couch: “It was huge, and took forever to get inside.” “That's what she said!” Answer: Double Entendre 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 14

Weird Al Yankovic’s song “White & Nerdy” Answer: Parody 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 15

“ Schmitt’s Beer” ad, starring Chris Farley and Adam Sandler: The guys, who are watching a house for friends, discover a magic pool in the back that becomes a party when the water is turned on. Sandler and Farley are suddenly surrounded by tons of hunky men, with whom they frolic in the pool. They even aim a video camera at a guy's crotch. Not long after, numerous brewers have turned to gay themes for their real ads. Answer: Defamiliarization 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 16

The first video ever played on MTV was “Video Killed the Radio Star”. Answer: Irony 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 17

Answer: Caricature 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 18

When somebody states something that everybody knew already: "Well done, Sherlock Holmes…” Answer: Sarcasm 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 19

The article, “Loser Spends Entire Day in Bed”, as it appeared in The Onion. Answer: Burlesque 2/16/2016 copyright All Rights Reserved. 20

Zoolander and the “Fashion World” Answer: Diminutization 2/16/2016copyright All Rights Reserved. 21