Satire is a genre of literature that uses humour to critique society. Usually it does this by using ridicule and absurdism to draw attention to larger social issues.
It is a powerful genre which is both an artistic expression and an intellectual exercise. But how does one craft a satire? What are its elements? That’s what we’re here to find out!
Satire is always topical.
Since social critique is key, satire is necessarily derived from prevalent issues of society. Themes often range from social issues like gender equality to political issues like dissent and power politics. Writers often comment on specific issues through allusions and analogies, changing identifying details about the real-life issues themselves. They often expose its hypocrisies and shortcomings by drawing a similar situation in fiction.
Satire takes many forms.
Satire comes in many artistic forms and expressions. There are satirical novels and films, but there is also satirical music and even journalism (like The Onion).
The types of satire:
There are generally two categories of satire: Horatian and Juvenilian.
Horatian satire is named after the Roman satirist Horace, and takes a lighter approach of social critique. It…
