This document defines and explains satire. Satire uses ridicule and irony to criticize and argue for reform of societal ills. It aims to be constructive, not just destructive. There are two main types: Horatian satire, which uses gentle humor, and Juvenalian satire, which is more abrasive and angry. Satire employs personas rather than expressing the author's real views. When analyzing a satirical work, one should consider what is being satirized, what methods are used, and whether the tone is Horatian or Juvenalian.

1. What is Satire?
“Ridicule is the only weapon which
can be used against unintelligible
propositions.” – Thomas Jefferson

2. Satire Defined:
• Satirists support their position by showing the
opposing view as absurd, vicious, or inhuman
to undermine their opponent's beliefs and
arguments.
• “ Good” satire is constructive art that aims not
just to destroy but to correct social ills.
• A basic equation for understanding satire:
Ironic Humor + Informed Criticism = Implicit
Argument for Reform

3. Satire
• Values the societal common good ( not
hopelessly fatalistic).
• Must understand warrants, commonplaces,
and ideologies of audiences in order to be
successful.
• Assumes that audiences are reasonably
intelligent and understand irony (i.e., “saying
one thing but meaning another.”)

4. Sarcasm vs. Satire
• Sarcasm: simplistic use of irony in order to
insult someone else (no implicit argument for
improvement). Think of people who ironically
say, “Yeah, that’s a great idea” without putting
forth any ideas of their own
• Satire : a blend of informed criticism and
ironic humor for the purposes of improvement
or correction

5. Two Basic Types of Satire: Horatian &
Juvenalain
Horatian (named after Roman satirist Horace): a playful
criticism of society through gentle, light-hearted humor:
• Cheerful and light-hearted
• Optimistic
• Witty
• Gentle
• Tongue-in-cheek
Examples: The Simpsons , Austin Powers , Gulliver’s
Travels, Scary Movie Series

6. Two Basic Types of Satire: Horatian &
Juvenalain
Juvenalain (named after Roman satirist Juvenal): an
abrasive aggressive critique:
• Cutting
• Bitter
• Angry
• Grim
• Contemptuous
Examples: South Park , George Orwell’s 1984 ,
Swift’s “A Modest Proposal,” Parts of George
Carlin’s stand-up comedy

7. Satire & Point of View
• Satire usually employs a special kind of
narrator called a mask or persona .
• Not to be understood as the speaker or
writer’s authentic voice, it is the character
through whom the action is observed or
related
• For instance, Stephen Colbert’s mask or
persona is an ultra-conservative political
pundit when, in reality, he is not.

8. Satire & Point of View
• Formal and Direct: Satiric voice speaks in the
first person. For example, when Colbert
address audience and says, “I go with my gut
regardless of facts!”
• Informal and Indirect: Characters themselves
reveal their folly and ridiculousness through
their own actions, words and thoughts. For
example, most Saturday Night Live skits
satirize morning talk shows in this way.

9. 3 Main Question to Ask about Satire
1.) What institutions, practices, and/or groups
are being satirized?
2.) What methods are being used to construct
satire?
3.) What is the tone of the satire (Horatian or
Juvenalain)?

10. What institutions, practices, and/or
groups are being satirized?
• A group or organization?
• A single individual?
• A “sort” or type of person
• A social class?
• A philosophy, commonplace, or ideology?
• Social Manners?
• Technological use or innovation?
• Humankind as a whole?

11. What methods are being used to
construct satire?
• Parody?
• Irony?
• Mock-epic?
• Lampoon?
• Caricature?
• Allegory?
• Travesty?

12. Works Cited
Griffin, Dustin H. Satire: A Critical
Introduction . Lexington, KY: Kentucky
University Press, 1994.
• Original Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/MiamiFYC/what-is-satire
– Removed original slide 12 to remove outside video link.