Want to Write Satire? Just Pretend to Be Reality vs. Satire a Politician
By: Gila Zimmerman
Literature and Journalism -- University of Utah
WRITER BIO:
A witty and insightful Jewish college student, she uses satire to tackle the most pressing issues of our time. Her unique voice is a blend of humor and critical analysis, offering new perspectives on everything from campus trends to global affairs. Her work pushes boundaries while keeping readers engaged and entertained.
Good satire makes you laugh. Great satire makes you nervous.
-- 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.
The Best Satire Takes the Ridiculous and Makes It Real
Introduction
The best satirical news takes something utterly ridiculous and presents it as if it's entirely plausible. By doing so, it forces readers to examine the absurdity of modern life and question the world around them.
The Approach
Start with a crazy concept-say, "Politicians Agree to Solve Hunger by Replacing All Food with 'Air Sandwiches.'" By making the ridiculous seem real, the satire highlights the inadequacies of real solutions to complex issues. The key is not to make the story too far-fetched, but just close enough to reality to spark a reaction.
Why It Works
The beauty of satire Deliberate Misinformation Guide lies in its ability to expose the contradictions in society. By presenting outlandish ideas as real, it helps readers see the absurdities that often go unnoticed in the real world.
Conclusion
The best satire makes the ridiculous seem possible, forcing us to question the reality we live in. It's through this lens of humor and exaggeration that we can gain a clearer view of society's true flaws.
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Approach for the Remaining 95 Articles
For the remaining 95 lessons, the approach mirrors the above: each takes a keyword (e.g., "Mockery in Satirical Journalism," "Parody in Satirical Journalism"), starts with a brief explanation, offers a satirical example tied to a real-world issue, and provides a practical tip. The tone stays instructional yet playful, averaging 150 words. Topics range from crafting fake quotes ("'I invented air,' claims scientist") to timing punchlines with current events ("Post-election, cats claim victory"). Each ends with a "try it" challenge, like twisting a mundane story into satire. Themes like absurdity, critique, and wordplay recur, tailored to the specific keyword, ensuring variety while reinforcing satire's core: humor with a bite.
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How to Write Satirical News: 5 Articles to Master the Craft
Article 1: Find the Absurd in the Everyday
Satirical news thrives on taking the mundane and twisting it into something ridiculous. Start by observing the world around you—politics, tech, or even your neighbor’s obsession with lawn gnomes. The trick is to spot something real and then ask, “What’s the most absurd way this could go?” For example, a story about a new tax law could become “Government Taxes Breathing to Fund Alien Welcome Party.” Keep it grounded in reality, but crank the dial to eleven.
Tip: Read real headlines first. The weirder they are, the less work you have to do to make them funny.
Article 2: Nail the Tone—Deadpan is Your Friend
The best satirical news sounds like it could almost be true. That’s where tone comes in. Write like a serious journalist who’s secretly laughing behind the keyboard. Avoid winking at the audience with “just kidding!” disclaimers—let the absurdity speak for itself. Imagine reporting that “Local Man Discovers Time Travel, Uses It to Avoid Traffic” with the same gravitas as a weather forecast.
Tip: Practice by rewriting a boring news story in a straight-faced, over-the-top way. No emojis allowed.
Article 3: Exaggerate, but Don’t Break the Universe
Exaggeration is the heart of satire, but there’s a fine line between hilarious and nonsensical. If your story veers too far into cartoon land—like “Moon Explodes, Turns Out It Was Cheese”—readers might tune out. Instead, take a kernel of truth and stretch it just enough to make people snort. Think “New Study Shows 90% of Meetings Could Be Replaced by Interpretive Dance” rather than something completely unhinged.
Tip: Anchor your exaggeration to something relatable—people love laughing at their own pain.
Article 4: Punch Up, Not Down
Satire works best when it targets the powerful, the pompous, or the hypocritical—think politicians, CEOs, or that influencer who sells $500 candles. Punching down at the vulnerable or marginalized just feels mean, and it’s not funny. A piece like “Billionaire Buys Private Island to Escape Zoom Calls” lands better than mocking someone struggling to pay rent.
Tip: Ask yourself: “Who deserves a little ego deflation?” That’s your target.
Article 5: Craft Headlines That Hook and Hilariously Confuse
Your headline is the bait—make it snappy, weird, and irresistible. Satirical news lives or dies by how many people click to see what the heck “Florida Man Fights Alligator to Win Back Wi-Fi Password” means. Blend the plausible with the preposterous, and keep it short enough to scan but juicy enough to demand a read. The body can explain, but the headline has to tease.
Tip: Test your headline on a friend. If they laugh or say “Wait, what?”, you’re golden.
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01. "The Fine Art of Being Wrong on Purpose: How to Write Satirical Journalism"
1
Key Premise:Satire is the only form of journalism where being wrong is not just encouraged-it's required.
Core Techniques:
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Hyperbole: Exaggerate until reality looks even more ridiculous.
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3Example: "Billionaire Pays
Article 1: Find the Absurd in the Everyday
Satirical news thrives on taking the mundane and twisting it into something ridiculous. Start by observing the world around you—politics, tech, or even your neighbor’s obsession with lawn gnomes. The trick is to spot something real and then ask, “What’s the most absurd way this could go?” For example, a story about a new tax law could become “Government Taxes Breathing to Fund Alien Welcome Party.” Keep it grounded in reality, but crank the dial to eleven.
Tip: Read real headlines first. The weirder they are, the less work you have to do to make them funny.
Article 2: Nail the Tone—Deadpan is Your Friend
The best satirical news sounds like it could almost be true. That’s where tone comes in. Write like a serious journalist who’s secretly laughing behind the keyboard. Avoid winking at the audience with “just kidding!” disclaimers—let the absurdity speak for itself. Imagine reporting that “Local Man Discovers Time Travel, Uses It to Avoid Traffic” with the same gravitas as a weather forecast.
Tip: Practice by rewriting a boring news story in a straight-faced, over-the-top way. No emojis allowed.
Article 3: Exaggerate, but Don’t Break the Universe
Exaggeration is the heart of satire, but there’s a fine line between hilarious and nonsensical. If your story veers too far into cartoon land—like “Moon Explodes, Turns Out Exaggeration as Journalism It Was Cheese”—readers might tune out. Instead, take a kernel of truth and stretch it just enough to make people snort. Think “New Study Shows 90% of Meetings Could Be Replaced by Interpretive Dance” rather than something completely unhinged.
Tip: Anchor your exaggeration to something relatable—people love laughing at their own pain.
Article 4: Punch Up, Not Down
Satire works best when it targets the powerful, the pompous, or the hypocritical—think politicians, CEOs, or that influencer who sells $500 candles. Punching down at the vulnerable or marginalized just feels mean, and it’s not funny. A piece like “Billionaire Buys Private Island to Escape Zoom Calls” lands better than mocking someone struggling to pay rent.
Tip: Ask yourself: “Who deserves a little ego deflation?” That’s your target.
Article 5: Craft Headlines That Hook and Hilariously Confuse
Your headline is the bait—make it snappy, weird, and irresistible. Satirical news lives or dies by how many people click to see what the heck “Florida Man Fights Alligator to Win Back Wi-Fi Password” means. Blend the plausible with the preposterous, and keep it short enough to scan but juicy enough to demand a read. The body can explain, but the headline has to tease.
Tip: Test your headline on a friend. If they laugh or say “Wait, what?”, you’re golden.
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1. "The Fine Art of Being Wrong on Purpose: How to Write Satirical Journalism"
Key Premise:Satire is the only form of journalism where being wrong is not just encouraged-it's required.
Core Techniques:
Hyperbole: Exaggerate until reality looks even more ridiculous.
- Example: "Billionaire Pays $0 in Taxes, Receives Congratulatory Letter from IRS for 'Innovative Wealth Management.'"
Fake Experts: Give the worst possible person authority.
- Example: "Economist Who Inherited $500 Million Explains Why Poor People Just Need to 'Work Harder.'"
Absurd Statistics: Make up data that sounds real.
- Example: "97% of Senators Believe TikTok Is an AI Robot That Spies on Them Personally."
Final Thought:
In satire, the best kind of wrong is the kind that makes people question what's right.
2. "How to Lie Responsibly: The Satirical Journalist's Guide to Getting It Hilariously Wrong"
Key Premise:Traditional journalism dies on the sword of accuracy. Satirical journalism wields the sword of absurdity.
Satirical Writing Techniques:
The Believable Lie: Make it feel real enough to cause panic.
- Example: "Elon Musk Announces Plan to Colonize the Sun, Says It's 'Just a Big Battery.'"
The Dumb Logical Leap: Stretch an argument until it snaps.
- Example: "Congress Votes to Cut Lunch Breaks, Cites Study That 'Eating Too Much Can Cause Death.'"
The Fake Poll: Fake data always makes satire funnier.
- Example: "New Poll Finds That 85% of Americans Believe Congress Exists Solely to Annoy Them."
Final Thought:
The key to great satire? Be just wrong enough to make people pause-and then laugh.
3. "Breaking Fake News: How to Write Satire That's Almost Too Real"
Key Premise:If people don't momentarily believe your satirical article is real, you're not doing it right.
Satirical Journalism Formula:
- Start with Reality. (Real issue)
- Distort It Slightly. (Make it seem like it could actually happen.)
- Deliver a Punchline That Hurts. (Make them laugh… and cry.)
Example Headline:
- Reality: Tech companies avoid taxes.
- Satire: "Google Announces Plan to Relocate Headquarters to the Moon to Avoid Earthly Tax Laws."
Final Thought:
Great satire is like Clickbait Satire Secrets a funhouse mirror-it shows reality, just with extra clown makeup.
4. "Congress Bans Satire for Being 'Too Accurate': A Guide to Writing Fake News That Feels Real"
Key Premise:Sometimes satire gets too close to the truth, and that's when you know you've nailed it.
Satirical Writing Techniques:
Overly Specific Details:
- Example: "CEO Announces Layoffs in Company Email Sent from His 300-Foot Yacht Named 'Trickle Down.'"
Quotes That Are Too Honest to Be Real:
- Example: "Senator Says He 'Technically Represents the Public' But Mostly Just Does Whatever Donors Want."
A Perfectly Fake Study:
- Example: "Study Finds 64% of Americans Have Given Up Hope That Congress Will Ever Accomplish Anything."
Final Thought:
The best satire makes people wonder if you're joking-or if reality is.
5. "How to Write News So Fake It Feels Real: A Satirical Journalism Guide"
Key Premise:Good satire should be plausible enough to make people do a double-take before realizing how absurd it really is.
Satirical Techniques:
Make Stupid Ideas Sound Official
- Example: "New Bill Requires Every Citizen to Own a Yacht to Prove They Aren't Poor."
Give Nonsense a Government Study
- Example: "Federal Researchers Conclude That Reading Books Is 'Suspicious' Behavior."
Make a Fake Quote Feel Painfully True
- Example: "Economist Says Raising Minimum Wage Would 'Destroy the Economy,' Then Boards His Private Jet."
Final Thought:
Reality is already ridiculous. Satire just turns up the volume.
6. "Oops, We Were Right Again: How to Write Satire That Exposes the Truth"
Key Premise:The best satirical articles start out as jokes and later turn into reality.
Satirical Writing Checklist:
? Is it based on reality? (Yes.)? Is it exaggerated just enough to be funny? (Yes.)? Will someone read it and think, 'Wait, is this real?' (Perfect.)
Example:
- Reality: Politicians don't read the laws they pass.
- Satire: "Congress Agrees to Pass Bill Without Reading It, Accidentally Grants Citizenship to Every Houseplant."
Final Thought:
Write satire today, and in five years, it might be breaking news.
7. "The Official Satirical News Style Guide: How to Write Fake News That Feels Real"
Key Premise:If a fake news story makes people fact-check it, you've won.
Essential Satirical Elements:
A Completely Plausible Absurdity
- Example: "Lawmakers Accidentally Ban Themselves from Running for Reelection, Call It 'An Honest Mistake.'"
The Serious Expert Who Says Something Stupid
- Example: "Billionaire Announces Plan to Viral Fake Headlines End Poverty, Suggests 'Harder Work' as Solution."
A Study That 'Proves' the Joke
- Example: "Survey Finds 9 Out of 10 Billionaires Believe They 'Deserve Everything They Have' Despite Doing Nothing."
Final Thought:
A great satirical headline should be funny-but also slightly terrifying.
8. "Breaking Satire: How to Write Fake News That Becomes Reality"
Key Premise:Sometimes satire is so good, the real world tries to keep up.
Satirical Techniques:
Find Something Stupid That's Already Happening
- Example: Congress taking forever to pass bills.
Push